introduction
The Latin-American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) in collaboration with the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Digital and Collaborative Port Networks and the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC), will organize a Virtual Seminar on the Port Experience in the Caribbean on 25th-26th October, 2021.
One of the main objectives of this seminar is to improve port management and operational efficiency within the region. The supply chain disruptions and recurring bottlenecks in ports that resulted from the pandemic demonstrate the inefficiencies in the sector, so it has become a challenge to maintain the fast, efficient and profitable movement of cargo in a cost-effective manner.
On the other hand, the health and economic crisis caused by the pandemic has also heightened interest in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), specifically those related to infrastructure and transport services. The challenge is to generate the economic, financial, technical, and regulatory conditions that allow maintaining these partnerships, collaboration, and cooperation between sectors. Global trends and the need for a robust and innovative transport system require significant capital-intensive investment.
In that sense, public-private partnerships (PPPs) represent potential mechanisms to support the development of ports in the region. Research has shown that PPPs, which combine the capabilities of the private sector with the social responsibilities of the public sector, can make a significant difference in the development of a sustainable transport system. Within this framework, PPP becomes critical for effectively managing port operations especially within the context of a rapidly digitizing world. With this new drive for digital acceleration including the employment of innovative tools, methodologies, and technologies, having the right resources must be a key pillar for port development within the region. It is therefore crucial to develop the capacities for effectively maintaining these relationships and harnessing the resources made available through these relations.
In this sense, this virtual seminar will focus on building awareness and capacity to effectively utilize PPP as a tool for port management efficiency. Together with this, it will highlight best practice examples and innovative procedures used by Port Authorities in the region to manage ports and facilitate trade. This event will constitute a platform for dialogue and a space to share ideas, lessons learned and experiences that will improve the port environment of the region and promote regional integration.
Objectives
- Facilitate the exchange of lessons learned and knowledge on best practices in digital and collaborative port management.
- Provide a platform for dialogue on improving port management and operational efficiency among stakeholders.
- Strengthen knowledge about managing Public-Private Partnerships projects linked to the maritime-port sector.
Methodology
This two-day virtual seminar will offer participants the opportunity to interact with the main port managers in the Caribbean. The sessions will be organized as follows:
Day 1 – (October 25th, 2021)
The first session of the seminar will facilitate a discussion on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). PPP is a relatively new approach to Port management development within the region, and can play a critical role in advancing port development within the region. Understanding how to effectively close public-private relation gaps would avail the resources needed for efficacy port operations. During the session, participants would have the opportunity to engage global experts in the field of PPP to explore the scope and operation of PPP for the port sector and the people first approach to PPP. This session will comprise of two (2) experts from leading international organizations.
Day 2 – (October 26th, 2021)
This session will showcase four (4) presentations by four (4) port authorities in the Caribbean region. These Ports are leaders in operational efficiency and port management and have successfully applied various innovative tools, methodologies and technologies that have allowed them to optimize their port activities. These best practice examples from within the region will focus on areas including the implementation of the Maritime Single Window, the development of Port Community Systems, innovative technologies for advancing Port Security and the use of innovation for logistics efficiency.
Information on the event
Date and Time
The seminar is scheduled for 25th and 26th October 2021 at 10:00 a.m. a 12:00 p-m. (GTM-4)
Languages
English, French and Spanish
Record
This seminar will be held virtually through the Zoom platform with simultaneous transmission through the channel of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) on YouTube.
Registration form: https://bit.ly/2ZcR8PN
Agenda
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SESSION I: PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE MARITIME-PORT SECTOR |
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| 10:00-10:20 |
Moderator: Safiya Horne-Bique, Director in the Directorate of Trade and Sustainable Development at the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) OPENING SESSION – WELCOME REMARKS
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| 10:20-12:30 | Presenters:
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Each speaker will have 30 minutes to give their presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session. |
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SESSION II: PORT EXPERIENCE IN THE CARIBBEAN |
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| 10:00-12:15 |
Moderator: Safiya Horne-Bique, Director in the Directorate of Trade and Sustainable Development at the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)
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| 12:15-12:30 |
CLOSING REMARKS
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| Each speaker will have 20 minutes to give their presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session. | |
Moderator
Safiya Horne-Bique
Director of Trade and Sustainable Development at the ACS
Panelists
Richard Humphreys
Lead Transport Economist and the Global Lead for Transport Connectivity and Regional Integration, Maritime Transport and Logistics at the World Bank
Ricardo Sánchez
Senior Economic Affairs Officer, International Trade and Integration Division at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
Elisabet Torres Izarra
Analyst of the Direction of Studies and Proposals of SELA.
Darwin Telemaque
Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua Port Authority
Karl Branch
Divisional Manager Innovation & Corporate Services of Barbados Port Inc.
Farah Vásquez
Deputy Director of the Dominican Port Authority
Dwain Powell
Director -Port Community System Operator for Jamaica.
