Inter-American Development Bank to hold Annual Meeting in Asunción, Paraguay

The Inter-American Development Bank Group will hold its Annual Meeting in Asunción, Paraguay, on March 30-April 2. Economic and financial leaders from its 48 member countrieswill discuss key development, trade and investment challenges for Latin America and the Caribbean on issues ranging from private sector investments to global trade and political trends.

Representatives of other development agencies, commercial banks, companies and civil society organizations will also attend the gathering. The event will mark the 58th annual meeting of the IDB Group’s Board of Governors, the Bank’s top decision-making body. Most Governors are ministers of finance or the economy, or central bank presidents.

The IDB Group is made up of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which provides resources and financing for public sector, the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC), which focuses on private sector operations, and the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), which provides donations and resources to foster innovative small-scale projects in the region.

During the event the IDB Group will release its annual macroeconomic assessment of the region amidst a difficult global economic, political and trade environment. The findings of the macroeconomic report will be released during the Annual Meeting and panels will discuss fiscal, trade, investment and monetary challenges.

The IDB and the government of Paraguay will host the “Latin America and the Caribbean: An agenda of growth and development” Business Forum. The event will gather close to 500 private sector leaders and high-level government representatives from the Americas, who will discuss key issues to promote sustained economic growth rooted in rising productivity.

Panelists will discuss the opportunities and challenges for the region in areas including the promotion of food security and the growth of agribusiness, how to foster the development of qualified human capital and an environment that promotes innovation and the investment in infrastructure that the region requires to be a more competitive player in the global economy.

At the investment forum, the IIC’s CEO James P. Scriven will reflect on the IIC’s first year of operations since the IDB Group consolidated its private sector. He will focus on regional private sector trends and how the IIC is best positioned to tackle its clients’ evolving needs in key economic sectors such as renewable energy, transport, water and sanitation, agribusiness and telecommunications.

The Annual Meeting will feature the 8th edition of Demand Solutions event featuring big and original thinkers and entrepreneurs. Demand Solutions is designed to inspire creativity and innovation and will highlight the role of women as an engine of innovation and transformation in the past, present and future of Latin America and the Caribbean. Those wishing to attend the event should request an invitation at [email protected].

Members of the news media may register for the event and learn about hotel availability at the Annual Meeting’s website.

About the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

About the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC)

The Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC), a member of IDB Group, is a multilateral development bank committed to supporting the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IIC finances sustainable enterprises and projects to achieve financial results that maximize social and environmental development for the region. With a current portfolio of $7 billion under management and 330 clients in 20 countries, the IIC works across sectors to provide innovative financial solutions and advisory services that meet the evolving demands of its clients.