The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) will host the 11th Annual Invest Caribbean - Caribbean American Leadership Dialogue (Invest Caribbean 2009) on November 13, 2009 at the Renaissance Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C. from 8a.m. to 4p.m. The theme for Invest Caribbean 2009 is "Emerging Opportunities in a Lean Economy."

Invest Caribbean 2009 will feature expert speakers from the U.S. and Caribbean private sector, public sector, the Caribbean diplomatic corps and  international financial institutions. They will highlight market opportunities in the Caribbean and Caribbean American community despite the global economic downturn. Panel topics will include energy and infrastructure investments, the emergence of non-traditional investors in the Caribbean and financing opportunities for investments in the Caribbean. Ms. Nsombi Jaja, Managing Director, Quality Management Consultancy Limited and ICS Board Member will serve as moderator of the event.

Dr. Claire Nelson, President of ICS, stresses the critical role of strengthening the networks among entrepreneurs interested in investment opportunities in the Caribbean. 'The global economic downturn must not be viewed as an inhibitor, but as an opportunity to explore previously untapped markets in the Caribbean. Invest Caribbean 2009 will explore these markets."

The annual Invest Caribbean: Caribbean American Leadership Dialogue brings together a select group of U.S. and Caribbean-American business leaders, Ambassadors from the Caribbean countries, policy makers and financiers to engage in dialogue centered on economic optimization and collaboration. We aim to create an opportunity where leaders can build on the economic and cultural bridges nationally and across the globe.

Past keynote speakers have included: Prime Minister the Honorable Dr. Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts; the Honorable Dr. Owen Arthur (former Prime Minister of Barbados); Walter Bastian, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce; Congresswoman Donna Christensen; Ambassador Richard Bernal, Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank; Mr. Malcolm Jones, former Executive Chairman, Petroleum Company of Trinidad & Tobago; and Mr. Kip Thompson, Managing Partner, AIC Private Equity.