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 07.30 Registration and Networking 09.00 WELCOMING REMARKS Format: Speech 09.05 OPENING ADDRESS Next Hubs New Regions H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, UAE _ Format: Conversation 09.10 The New Globalizers - In Conversation with H.E. Luis Alberto Moreno 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? H.E. Luis Alberto Moreno, President, Inter-American Development Bank, USA Moderator: Fiona Mackie, Regional Director, Latin America and the Caribbean, Economist Intelligence Unit, UK
09.30 The Role of Regional Trade Agreements Boosting Global Business? Are regional trade alliances a tool to accelerate diversification and break into higher value global supply chains or restrictive blocs that limit progress at home and restrict trading options? We explore how companies operating across borders in Latin America/Caribbean regions use existing trade agreements and discuss the progress they would like to see. Format: Conversation 10.15 The Dubai Perspective In Conversation with H.E. Raja Al Gurg In this session, the Managing Director of one of Dubai s leading family businesses discusses the evolution of her company s strategy and the challenges facing companies in the Arabian Gulf. As the head of Dubai Business Women Council, she will also focus on the realities for women in business, the importance of increasing diversity and her expectations for the next decade. H.E. Raja Al Gurg, Managing Director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, President, Dubai Business Women Council, UAE 10.35 Networking Break Format: Conversation 11.05 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, he discusses his perspective on the future development of these relations over the coming years. 11.25 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? Jorge Arosemena, President, City of Knowledge, Panama 11.55 Strength through Synergies New Paths to Cooperation 2
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.. 12.30 Networking Lunch 14.00 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? How will Mexico s new trade agreements with North America and Asia impact business? 14.30 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. 15.00 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 underway, the business opportunities these are opening up and the wider regional impact. 15.30 Networking Break 16.00 Building New Financial Ties Investing in Growth Panama and the UAE have the opportunity to build thriving capital links, boosting bilateral investment in their respective countries and into the wider regions. In this session, key financial players discuss the potential and explore what would be needed to formalize a financial partnership. Aimee Sentmat de Grimaldo, President & General Manager, Banistmo, Panama H.E. José Ramón Valente, Minister of Economy, Chile 3
16.30 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. Format: Q&A 16.50 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. 17.30 EVENING RECEPTION 4
Wednesday, 10 th April 09.30 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 09.40 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 engaged in trade and investment, 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, IDB s head of integration and the EIU s regional director 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 Fiona Mackie, Regional Director, Latin America and the Caribbean, Economist Intelligence Unit, UK 10.00 Dubai Gateway to the Gulf and Beyond Dubai is the location of choice for international companies operating across the Arabian Gulf, but it is rapidly emerging as a gateway for global business with Africa, India and Central Asia too. In this session, we explore how companies use the hub to facilitate business in the region and beyond. Fahad Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai FDI, UAE Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), UAE 10.30 Opportunities in the Energy Transition Beyond Renewables 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 and building industries fit 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 Consulting, UAE 5
11.00 Insight into Digital Disruption Enabling the Future In this session, the founders of leading start-ups in Latin America and the UAE discuss business potential in the digital age and the realities for entrepreneurs in emerging regions. Cristina Junqueira, Co-Founder, Nubank, Brazil Andre Street, Co-Founder and Chairman, Stone Pagamentos, Brazil 11.20 Networking Break 11.50 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? Mauricio Lloreda, Chief Executive Officer, Protekto Americas, Colombia 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 scientists point to its contribution to climate change and water scarcity. In this session, we look at how farming and the food supply chain are evolving in Latin America and the Gulf region and explore the potential for expanding trade and investment between the two regions. 13.05 Hub-to-Hub Strategies Linking Global Gateways A strategic location is a precondition for a successful global hub. Beyond that, it requires collaboration between government, logistical and financial services and the private sector to create a self-sustaining business ecosystem, able to draw in regional and global talent. As the dynamics of global trade and investment shift, we look at the potential for closer cooperation between Dubai and Panama within this larger picture. How do global trends impact today s hubs? What can they learn from each other and what steps are needed to realize a hub-to-hub strategy? H.E Hamad Buamim, Chair, ICC World Chambers Federation; President & CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, UAE Pedro Heilbron, Chief Executive Officer, COPA Airlines, Panama 6
13.35 Round Up and Next Steps 13.45 Networking Lunch Format: Networking 14.15 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 15.30 End of GBF 7