MIAMI.-In the middle of a worldwide energy and financial crisis, the small economies of the Caribbean and Central America should unite to seek solutions, said specialists of the region that are present at the 32nd annual Caribbean & Central America Action (CCAA) conference in Miami that will come to a close this Wednesday.

"One of the problems of the economies of the Caribbean and Central America is that they are fragmented. For example, they don't have a common Stock Exchange process. These economies have to realize that they aren't secluded from the rest of the world, and must come together in finding solutions for the common problems they all share." said Anton E. Edmunds, executive director and general manager of the CCAA.

Over the past 32 years, the Caribbean & Central America Action Conference has brought together important points of view in the business sector as well as important politicians of the region and this year's conference is expected to bring even more up-to-date ideas on the decisions that need to be made by the governments and private sectors of the Caribbean and Central America.

In this sense, Rick Murrrel, president and general manager of the Tropical load Shipping Inc., said that "there are three important points for the economy and the future of the Caribbean: First, better communication and teamwork between the private and public sector; Second, more leadership and commitment from the private sector within the community; And third: to attack the deficiencies of the Caribbean so that it becomes a globally competitive region"

What's important to emphasize here is the magnitude of the impact that a crisis in neighboring countries of Central America and the Caribbean would cause. The poverty in the region would not only mean more immigration, but also cause border control problems and population dissemination, all at a time when various countries within the region have important elections in the coming year.

"It is important that these economies maintain stability and not seek other sources of income, such as prohibited drug trafficking, simply because of their strategic location", emphasized Edmunds.

The agreement being signed today by Scotiabank and the Inter-American Investment Corporation, member of the Inter-American Bank of Development, to help to identify and support small and medium industries in the Caribbean that have great potential of development.

"For more than 120 years, Scotiabank has been an ally and supporter for small and medium businesses in the Caribbean", emphasized Pat Minicucci, leader of Scotiabank in the Caribbean. "This association with ICC allows us to deepen our relations with small and medium businesses throughout the Caribbean, by working jointly with the ICC in helping to grow and to succeed".

In turn, Jorge Roldán, leader of the Division of technical Support and Strategic Associations of the ICC, commented: "We believe in the Caribbean region, in the fortress of its sector of the small businesses, and in the spirit of its businessmen."