Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago-Trade Symposium

Report on Transatlantic Trade and Investment Symposium 2001

International Business Forum
In 2000, the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago took a decision to establish a series of symposia focused on business and economic development to coincide with the annual commemoration of emancipation in the Caribbean. The organization partnered with the Washington based Foundation for Democracy in Africa to initiate the series called the Trans-Atlantic Expo International Trade and Investment Symposia, with the theme “Reinventing the Triangle”.Annually the organizers assemble a high-powered team of policy makers, businessmen, and economic analysts, representing government agencies, multilateral institutions, and private sectors in Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas for a practical, results-oriented dialogue aimed at expanding business relationships in the target regions.The idea is to transform this region that was once the core of a notorious triangular trade into an axis of economic growth capable of meeting the challenges of globalization, empowering indigenous entrepreneurs and creating more equitable societies. The commemoration of emancipation provides a facilitating environment for the symposia, which are designed to be a platform for action.Underlying issues
Though each symposium will focus on a specific set of issues, there are core issues which guide all the fora: 1. Facing the challenges of globalization.
2. Ensuring greater economic equity.
3. Re-defining the roles of governments and multilateral agencies.
4. Recognizing and employing the synergies within the triangle.