H.E. Juan Carlos Varela, President, Republic of Panama. H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, UAE

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1 Over the past three years, GBF Latin America has built new partnerships between businesses in the Arabian Gulf and those in Latin America and the Caribbean. We saw that, while the regions are geographically far apart, the potential for productive partnerships across a wide range of sectors is immense. In our first Forum held in the region, GBF Latin America Panama 2019 will bring together government, business and finance leaders from both regions to explore new areas for collaboration and growth, identify new partnerships and drive synergies between Dubai and Panama, two hub cities that share similar ambitions within their respective regions. Tuesday, 9 th April Registration and Networking Format: Speech WELCOMING REMARKS H.E. Juan Carlos Varela, President, Republic of Panama Format: Speech OPENING ADDRESS Next Hubs New Regions H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, UAE _ The New Globalizers - Understanding the Threats and Potential The dynamics of global trade and investment are changing. While some of the world s largest economies are rethinking their approach to globalization, new emerging regions including Latin America, the Caribbean and the Arabian Gulf are exploring the potential of new ties, aiming to enable growth and innovation across their economies, while avoiding the dangers of over-dependence on key markets. What opportunities do the rise of powerful new investors and emerging markets bring for business in both regions? How are changing attitudes towards trade and globalization impacting international and regional companies? What kind of institutions are needed to help business maneuver through these changing dynamics? H.E. Luis Alberto Moreno, President, Inter-American Development Bank, USA H.E Hamad Buamim, Chair, ICC World Chambers Federation; President & CEO,

2 Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, UAE Strength through Synergies New Paths to Cooperation Constructive collaboration is a crucial skill for countries navigating changing global tides and aiming to accelerate the innovative power of their economies. For the past few years, a number of countries in Latin America/Caribbean and the Arabian Gulf have focused on creating synergies through closer cooperation. In this session, we look at what has been achieved so far and explore the next steps. H.E. Pablo Campana, Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment & Fisheries, Ecuador H.E. Manuel González Sanz, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Costa Rica H.E. Mohammed Al Shehhi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Economy, UAE H.E. Luis Alberto Castiglioni, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paraguay Networking Break Format: Conversation Building Closer Global Ties - In Conversation H.E. Juan Carlos Varela Panama has focused on promoting dialogue within the region and building new economic relations internationally, resetting the relationship with China and creating new ties with the Arabian Gulf. In this session, the President discusses his perspective on the future development of these relations over the coming years. H.E. Juan Carlos Varela, President, Republic of Panama Empowering Entrepreneurship Business at the Cutting Edge Entrepreneurial companies have become critical to global competitiveness, as they leverage new technologies to find new potential, transform business models and disrupt industries. Creating the right environment to empower entrepreneurs requires not only a supportive ecosystem, but also innovative approaches to regulation, finance and education. What can our regions learn from each other as they strive to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship? H.E. Hisham Al Shirawi, Chairman, Dubai Startup Hub Advisory Committee,UAE Jorge Arosemena, President, City of Knowledge, Panama Juan Pablo Ortega, Head, Colaboramerica, Colombia Scott Sobel, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Valor Capital Group, USA 2

3 12.15 Building New Financial Ties Investing in Growth Latin America and the Caribbean have the opportunity to build thriving capital links with the Arabian Gulf, boosting investment ties between their regions and supporting growth. In this session, key financial players discuss the potential and explore what would be needed to build stronger links. H.E. José Ramón Valente, Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism, Chile Aimee Sentmat de Grimaldo, President & General Manager, Banistmo, Panama Brian O'Neill, Executive Vice President, Inter-American Development Bank, USA Chirag Shah, Chief Executive Officer, 1 International FinCentre, UAE Networking Lunch New Leaders, New Opportunities Mexico Mexico s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took power at the end of 2018, following a landslide election victory that promised radical change that would unlock the country s economic potential. What is changing for companies operating in Latin America s second-largest market? What opportunities are opening up for business? H.E. Maximiliano Reyes, Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Mexico Octavio Jiménez Blanco, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Arvolution, Mexico Alejandro Raul Blasco Ruiz, Head of Investor Relations, Banco Nacional de Obras y Servicios Públicos (Banobras), Mexico New Leaders, New Opportunities Colombia President Ivan Duque hopes to build on the rapid growth and foreign interest that has accompanied the end of conflict in Colombia. His focus is on stamping out corruption, bringing private sector discipline into the financing of public infrastructure and boosting creative industries. In this session, we discuss Colombia s progress and explore the business opportunities opening up. Rodolfo Ahumada Perez, Commercial Director, Pacific Fruits, Colombia Camilo Fernandez de Soto, President, Colombia Productiva, Colombia New Leaders, New Opportunities Brazil Brazil s economy has struggled in recent years, dogged by recession and uncertainty. In response, President Jair Bolsonaro has put an experienced economics team in place to cut government spending, simplify taxation and privatize state-run companies. In this session, we explore the policy shifts 3

4 underway, the business opportunities these are opening up and the wider regional impact. Alexandre Baulé, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, BPAR, Brazil Networking Break Format: Conversation Panama Building a Gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean Following the enlargement of the canal and the expansion of trade relations with countries around the world, Panama has transformed itself from a short-cut for shipping into a fast-growing logistics hub. Panama connects Asian and US businesses with each other and with markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. In this session, the Vice President of Panama explores her country s emergence as a hub and discusses how companies can leverage Panama to do business in Latin America and further afield. H.E. Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Panama Catalyzing Rapid Development - Leveraging the Dubai Free Zone Model When Dubai opened the Jebel Ali Free Zone in 1985, it laid the foundation for a model of development that has transformed Dubai s economy, allowing an influx of foreign capital, investment and talent, while protecting local businesses. There are now more than 30 Free Zones operating in Dubai and other nations are leveraging the model to catapult their own development. In this session, we discuss Latin American plans for creating zones with leaders of some of Dubai s leading zone authorities. Confirmed speakers: H.E. Arnaldo Castillo, Minister of Economic Development, Honduras Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), UAE Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, UAE Fernando Cordero, Secretary General, Colon Free Trade Zone, Panama Format: Q&A Next Hubs New Regions Have Your Say In this interactive session, we bring together key speakers from GBF Latin America Panama 2019, so you can pose your questions EVENING RECEPTION 4

5 Wednesday, 10 th April Format: Talk Yesterday and Today In Brief We will get the morning going with a summary of memorable points from the first day s sessions and an overview of today s sessions. Fiona Mackie, Regional Director, Latin America and the Caribbean, Economist Intelligence Unit, UK Find the Gap Realizing New Trade and Investment Potential Business relations between the Arabian Gulf and Latin America have grown seven times since 2000, but research commissioned by IDB for GBF Latin America Panama shows there is substantial room for increased trade and investment in new areas. While food, commodities, logistics and real estate businesses in the two regions are actively collaborating, other sectors such as pharmaceuticals and industrial products are exported and imported internationally, but overlooked by Latin America and Gulf producers and exporters. In this session, we discuss how the two regions can exploit these trade gaps to boost trade and investment levels. Fabrizio Opertti, Manager Integration and Trade Sector, Inter-American Development Bank, USA H.E. Luis Alberto Castiglioni, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paraguay H.E. Miguel Vargas Maldonado, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominican Republic Leveraging Logistics Reducing Friction in Global Supply Chains Dubai and several trading hubs in Latin America and the Caribbean have built their success on leveraging location and logistics. In this session, we explore what the companies driving these successes are learning about the new fault lines for global trade. How can trading hubs play a more prominent role in reducing friction in regional and global supply chains? Mahmood Al Bastaki, Chairman of the Board, Dubai Trade, UAE Paulo Fernandes, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Mastercard, USA Mauricio Lloreda, Chief Executive Officer, Protekto Americas, Colombia 5

6 10.35 Strategies for Success The Logistics Behind a Global Hub A strategic location and supportive government policy are preconditions for a successful global hub. However, the airlines and shipping behind them are essential to create the connections that make it work and provide a critical advantage for the private sector. In this session, we talk to two key players in Panama. Pedro Heilbron, Chief Executive Officer, COPA Airlines, Panama Lars Ostergaard Nielsen, President Latin America and the Caribbean, Maersk Line, Panama Opportunities in the Energy Transition Renewables and Beyond The challenge of responding to climate change has prompted rising investment in solar and wind power, but is also raising difficult questions about the future of oil and gas. In this session, we explore the solutions under discussion to achieve national climate targets, while developing the energy resources necessary for the future. What are the opportunities in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Arabian Gulf as both regions grapple with change? Roberto de Diego Arozamena, Managing Partner, Alacran Advisory and Consulting, UAE Javier Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer, Grupo Celsia, Colombia Wilson Poit, Board Member, Focus Energía, Brazil Networking Break Reshaping the Future of Finance - The Fintech Revolution The digital transformation of financial services has added new players to the financial system in recent years, offering disruptive alternatives for the lending markets in multiple regions. In this session, we will discuss the potential of fintech, its relationship to conventional financial services and its role in addressing persistent restrictions on financial inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean. Zachary Harding, Founder and CEO, Hyperion Equity, Jamaica Cristina Junqueira, Co-Founder and Vice-President, Nubank, Brazil James Scriven, Chief Executive Officer, IDB Invest, USA 6

7 12.35 Between Food Security and Sustainability Rethinking Agribusiness Latin America is the source of nearly half of all meat imports in the Arab Gulf region, which is dependent on imports for over 80% of its food needs. But the future of that global food chain is being called into question as scientist s point to its contribution to climate change and water scarcity. In this session, we look at how the food supply chain is evolving in Latin America and the Gulf region and explore the potential for expanding trade and investment between the two regions. H.E. Rodrigo Yanez Benitez, Vice Minister of Trade, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chile H.E. Essa Abdulla Al Ghurair, Founder and Chairman, EGI, UAE Eduardo Calacha Gibernau, Managing Director, The Grain Leader, Uruguay Ignacio Berenbau, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, AgroSocio, Argentina Bernardo Guillamon, Manager Office of Outreach and Partnerships, IDB, USA Format: Talk Round Up and Next Steps Networking Lunch Format: Networking GBF Connect Delegate Networking: meetings arranged via the GBF app in the Meeting Zone Market Insight: meet with Trade and Investment Promotion Agencies from Latin America & the Caribbean in the Insight Zone Business Matching: pre-booked meetings, organized and managed by Dubai Chamber for UAE delegates End of GBF Latin America - Panama