Felicia_persaud_Invest-Caribbean_Now-2015
ICN Founder and CEO Felicia J. Persaud addressing delegates at ICN 2015 in Saint Martin on Sept. 25, 2015. (ICN image)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Sept. 1, 2016: CEO and founder of Invest Caribbean Now (ICN), the private sector investment agency of the Caribbean, Felicia J. Persaud, is the keynote speaker at this morning’s ‘Enhancing National Competitiveness Conference’ in the Turks & Caicos.

The event, presented by Invest Turks & Caicos (TCI), aims at enhancing economic activity on the Islands through the attraction of new investment; support for local business growth; and facilitating and advocating best practice in business.

Persaud will speak on the topic: “Dimensions of Competitiveness in the 21st Century: A Global Perspective.”

“There is no denying that the issues being explored at this conference – constructing, enduring and sustainable competitiveness – could scarcely be more critical right now in the global market place,” commented the ICN CEO. “And so I applaud Invest TCI for taking the initiative and putting the spotlight on an issue that is most especially important in the post Brex-it era in which the TCI and the Caribbean now finds itself – again facing crucial survival and growth challenges … and as we once more see The International Monetary Fund again lowering its growth projections for both the Caribbean and Latin America to zero this year on the heels of Brex-it.”

The day-long event set for Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa will also feature Anya Williams, Deputy Governor of the Islands; Washington Misick, Minister of Finance, Investment & Trade of the TCI; Mark Durliat, CEO Grace Bay Resorts and John Williams, Director General, Telecommunications Commission Turks and Caicos Islands among others.

Invest Caribbean Now was launched five years ago in collaboration at the time with the Caribbean Tourism Organization to serve as a conduit between funders and governments and private sector developers in the tourism field.

It began with an annual investment forum that featured investment bankers, private equity investors, ministers of governments, hotel developers, tourism officials, architects, real estate developers, financial advisers, entrepreneurs, Chinese government officials and investors as well as the media in a giant match making event that put the spotlight on investment opportunities in several Caribbean nations including Bermuda, the Turks & Caicos Islands, St. Martin and Trinidad & Tobago.

Based on its effectiveness in bringing people together to do business and its network of high net worth lenders and programs, ICN, owned by Hard Beat Communications, expanded it focus in 2015 to become the private sector investment agency of the Caribbean, focusing now year round on matching projects with funders and funding.

Construction projects like resort and hotel construction, villa and mixed use developments and multi-family properties are welcome as well as major infrastructure development, energy and mining projects. Additionally, debt funding is available for refinancing, purchase or bridge loans of between USD$1 to $100 million.

Meanwhile, small to medium-sized Caribbean American and Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada who have been in existence for one year and have earnings of USD100, 000 can also contact ICN for access to SBE loans of up to USD250, 000 for expansion.

For more information see investcaribbeannow.com.