U.S. Chamber of Commerce Standing up for American Enterprise Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America Outlook on the Americas 2015 February 11, 2015 12:00 – 5:30 p.m. The Omni Hotel, Los Angeles, California AGENDA 11:30 a.m. – Registration 12:00 p.m. – Welcome remarks by Nicholas Galt, Chair, AACCLA 12:10 p.m. – Opening remarks by the Hon. Eric Garcetti*, Mayor of Los Angeles, California 12:45 p.m. – Welcoming remarks by Jodi Bond, Vice President, Americas, U.S. Chamber of Commerce 12:50 p.m. – Luncheon Keynote Thomas J. Donohue*, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce 1:20 p.m. – First Annual Intellectual Property Award presented by Nicholas Galt, Chair, AACCLA Highlighting American Chambers who are championing intellectual property (IP) as vital to creating jobs, advancing economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean. 1:30 pm. – Networking Break 1:45 p.m. – Panel Discussion on the Hardware of Trade Integration The integration agenda needs to blend investment in integration software (policy and regulatory framework) and hardware (physical infrastructure). This panel will focus on the regional infrastructure gap (hardware) and it’s contribution to explaining why intra-hemispheric trade is lower than the East Asian benchmark. Specifically, on how the region needs to move from identification to implementation of investment projects for regional connectivity, particularly in road transport infrastructure, upgrade of ports and maritime services, air cargo regulatory reforms, and telecommunications. 3:00 p.m. – Panel Discussion on the Software of Trade Integration The integration agenda needs to blend investment in integration software (policy and regulatory framework) and hardware (physical infrastructure). This panel will focus on the region needs to advance in the completion and convergence of trade agreements; policy action needs to tackle the growing costs caused by nontariff barriers; and the region needs to invest and build capacity in trade facilitation so as to progress towards the implementation of best practices that have already been identified and hold the potential to foster private sector internationalization. 4:15 p.m. – Networking/Coffee break 4:30 p.m. – Global Business Rule of Law Dashboard Phase II In 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched the Coalition for the Rule of Law in Global Markets in order to promote and defend the rule of law as a critical factor in fostering a worldwide investment climate that supports equality, economic growth, and shared prosperity for the world’s citizens. In an effort to advance these priorities, the Coalition is releasing the 2nd version of its Global Business Rule of Law Dashboard in an effort to educate policymakers around the world on the close relationship between adherence to the rule of law and the ability to attract investment. In 2013, the initial dashboard compared 6 countries, this year that number has increased to 60 countries. 5:10 p.m. – U.S. – Cuba Relations On December 17, 2014, Presidents Obama and Castro announced during simultaneous broadcasts from Washington DC and Havana, that the two governments would take steps to begin to normalize relations. The precursor to this announcement was the Cubans agreeing to release 53 political prisoners, including Alan Gross, in exchange for the U.S. releasing the 3 remaining imprisoned Cuban Five. The regulatory changes in U.S. law that followed on January 16, 2015, are supposed to will facilitate greater commerce and person-to-person exchanges between the United States and Cuba. How effective will these changes be and what does it mean for the rest of the region? 5:45 p.m. –Closing Keynote Remarks 6:00 p.m. – Congressional Reception *Invited