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October 10, 2007
EDA Officials report on Interior Conference in Guam The U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary’s Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands was in full swing this week at the Hyatt Regency in Tumon Bay, Guam. The annual conference is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is focused on showcasing the advantages of doing business in the U.S. Territories. This year’s conference was attended by just under 1,000 registrants from the U.S. as well as Asian and other Pacific countries. Representing the Virgin Islands at the conference this year were Percival Clouden, CEO and Benjamin Rivera, Jr., Assistant CEO of the V.I. Economic Development Authority. David B. Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs, met with Clouden and Rivera to discuss a range of issues including a proposed 2008 conference for the Virgin Islands. “This conference was a tremendous success, and I’m very pleased that the EDA was represented. Because we held this conference so far away from the U.S. Virgin Islands, my office intends to provide support so that the Territory can host its own conference,” Cohen said. We continue to be committed to private sector economic development in the USVI,” concluded Cohen. Clouden, in discussion with Cohen, reiterated Governor John P. deJongh’s priorities for economic development in the territory. “The deJongh administration has on its priority list; the growth and development of small business in the territory, which we know are the mainstays of any thriving economy. Towards this end, the Governor had the foresight to have the EDA participate in this conference, through which the Virgin Islands’ economic development incentive program got its exposure in another region of the world. We are grateful to the Governor and the EDA Board of Governors for their support in this endeavor,” said Clouden. Rivera was on hand, before a room filled with hundreds of attendees, to deliver a presentation on the EDC program including a brief history of the territory, and the benefits of doing business in the Virgin Islands. “The Virgin Islands is open for business,” Rivera stated emphatically in his opening remarks. Commenting on the overall conference, Rivera said, “Aside from meeting with many potential investors, this has been a great opportunity for us to meet with our partners at DOI, convey our gratitude and affirm our commitment to our existing partnership in fostering economic development for the Virgin Islands.” The conference closed on Wednesday with one-on-one business meetings scheduled. |
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