The Context

Retrospectives

The initiative of the Forum emanated from the 2nd Summit of Heads of State and/or Government of the ACS, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This decision was adopted at the 3rd Summit that was held on Margarita Island, Venezuela in December 2001. To ensure continuity, the Forum is held every year with the collaboration of the Trade Promotion Organizations of the Member Countries and Associate Members.

In order to take full advantage of the space offered through the Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean, the Special Committee for Trade proposed that a Forum of Trade Promotion Organizations be held simultaneously with the Business Forum. In addition, during the 10th Meeting of the Committee in May 2002, it was agreed that the annual meetings of the Committee for Trade would take place at the same time of the Business and TPO Fora.

The Business Forum is held every year since 2000 under the leadership of the Heads of States and Government of the Greater Caribbean with the aim of consolidating a vast space for the promotion of trade and investments in the region.

Nine (9) Business Fora of the Greater caribbean were held to date :

• 2000 : Isla Margarita – Venezuela
• 2001 : Mexico
• 2002 : Costa Rica
• 2003 : Cuba
• 2004 : Dominican Republic
• 2005 : Guadeloupe
• 2006 : Trinidad & Tobago
• 2007 : Panama
• 2008 : Aruba