Bluetide Caribbean Summit 2021

Strategic Initiative(s) Alignment: Blue Economy
Type: Event
Year(s): 2021

On August 4th – 6th, 2021, the Economic RSF team hosted the Bluetide Caribbean Hybrid Summit 2021.

Some special guests included: the Governors of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Secretary Manuel Cidre of the Puerto Rico Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DDEC), Deputy Secretary Don Graves of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Rector of the University of Ana G. Mendez, and the President and Vice President of the University of Virgin Islands. This inaugural event brought globally recognized experts together in island community resilience, ocean and renewable energy, public-private partnerships, marine sciences, and banking and financial instruments. Together they identified opportunities for competitive advantage in commercial and conservation activities in the marine ecosystem of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Caribbean.

The “Strategic Implementation Plan for Catalyzing a Blue Economy in the US Caribbean” (Plan) was unveiled by Tetra Tech at the keynote speaker’s address on August 5th. The Plan provides guidance for the implementation of a blue economy of Puerto Rico and the USVI by the private sector, government, non-government, and academic entities. Four strategic goals are defined as integral to achieving the vision of the US Caribbean blue economy: economic viability, workforce development, sustainability, and resiliency.

The Plan examines the status and trends of ocean resources and socio-economic conditions of the region, identifies what opportunities and benefits derive from a Blue Economy and how to get there. The Plan also identifies key projects under eight portfolios and five workstreams.

The Summit’s five plenary sessions and the eight breakout sessions offered businesses and non-profit organizations a unique platform to hear directly from experts about the industries highlighted in the Plan.

In addition, four small business growth training workshops were offered by the Small Business Administration and three subject matter experts on August 5th.

  • Small Business Innovative Research Grant Program Roadshow
  • Economic Development Essentials and Current Trends
  • Incubators and Accelerators for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
  • Understanding and Using Data for Better Economic Decisions and Outcomes

On the final day of the Summit, a Statement of Declaration was signed by Bluetide Puerto Rico, University of the Virgin Islands, Ana G. Mendez University, and Titin Foundation committing to the resilience, sustainability, and the strategic exploration and development of the blue economy in Puerto Rico and the USVI. In addition, the signing institutions agreed to commit to the fulfillment of the Blue Economy Strategic Implementation Plan for Puerto Rico and the USVI, which includes promoting the implementation of the U.S. Caribbean Blue Economy strategic goals of economic viability, workforce development, sustainability, and resiliency.

The 3-day event brought together more than 300 globally recognized blue economy business leaders, researchers, policymakers, and investors to launch a new era of Caribbean-Atlantic cooperation through eight technical portfolios in infrastructure development.

 

 

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