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comScore Releases January 2012 U.S. Online Video Rankings

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 20/02/2012 | 0 Comments

Long-Form Video Content on the Rise, Reaching 6 Minutes on Average in January

RESTON, Va., Feb. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released data from the comScore Video Metrix service showing that 181 million U.S. Internet users watched nearly 40 billion videos of online video content in January.

Top 10 Video Content Properties by Unique Viewers

Google Sites, driven primarily by video viewing at YouTube.com, ranked as the top online video content property in January with 152 million unique viewers, followed by VEVO with 51.5 million, Yahoo! Sites with 49.2 million, Viacom Digital with 48.1 million and Facebook.com with 45.1 million. Nearly 40 billion videos views occurred during the month, with Google Sites generating the highest number at 18.6 billion, followed by Hulu with 877 million and VEVO with 717 million. The average viewer watched 22.6 hours of online video content, with Google Sites (7.5 hours) and Hulu (3.2 hours) demonstrating the highest average engagement among the top ten properties.

Top U.S. Online Video Content Properties Ranked by Unique Video Viewers
January 2012
Total U.S. – Home and Work Locations
Content Videos Only (Ad Videos Not Included)
Source: comScore Video Metrix
—————————–
Property Total Unique Videos Minutes
Viewers (000)* per Viewer
(000)
— —-
Total Internet : Total Audience 181,115 39,995,849 1,354.7
——————————- ——- ———- ——-
Google Sites 151,989 18,633,743 448.7
———— ——- ———- —–
VEVO 51,499 716,608 62.2
—- —— ——- —-
Yahoo! Sites 49,215 538,260 57.4
———— —— ——- —-
Viacom Digital 48,104 507,046 58.0
————– —— ——- —-
Facebook.com 45,135 248,941 22.0
———— —— ——- —-
Microsoft Sites 41,491 558,017 51.3
————— —— ——- —-
AOL, Inc. 40,991 419,783 51.4
——— —— ——- —-
Hulu 31,383 877,388 189.0
—- —— ——- —–
Amazon Sites 27,906 86,705 19.7
———— —— —— —-
NBC Universal 27,096 95,034 17.2
————- —— —— —-
*A video is defined as any streamed segment of audiovisual content, including both progressive downloads and live streams. For long-form, segmented content, (e.g. television episodes with ad pods in the middle) each segment of the content is counted as a distinct video stream.

Top 10 Video Ad Properties by Video Ads Viewed
Americans viewed 5.6 billion video ads in January, with Hulu delivering the highest number of video ad impressions at 1.4 billion. Adap.tv ranked second overall (and highest among video ad exchanges/networks) with 652 million ad views, followed by BrightRoll Video Network with 598 million, Tremor Video with 580 million and Specific Media with 398 million. Time spent watching video ads totaled more than 2.3 billion minutes during the month, with Hulu delivering the highest duration of video ads at 540 million minutes. Video ads reached 47 percent of the total U.S. population an average of 38 times during the month. Hulu delivered the highest frequency of video ads to its viewers with an average of 43, while ESPN delivered an average of 20 ads per viewer.

Top U.S. Online Video Ad Properties Ranked by Video Ads* Viewed
January 2012
Total U.S. – Home and Work Locations
Ad Videos Only (Content Videos Not Included)
Source: comScore Video Metrix
—————————–
Property Video Ads Total Ad Frequency % Reach
(000) Minutes (Ads per Total U.S.
(MM) Viewer) Population
— — —- ——- ———-
Total Internet : Total Audience 5,558,261 2,329 38.4 47.3
——————————- ——— —– —- —-
Hulu 1,446,618 540 43.1 11.0
—- ——— — —- —-
Adap.tv** 651,531 395 10.8 19.8
——- ——- — —- —-
BrightRoll Video Network** 598,353 370 6.1 32.3
————————- ——- — — —-
Tremor Video** 580,302 314 12.6 15.0
————- ——- — —- —-
Specific Media** 397,941 187 5.6 23.2
————— ——- — — —-
Auditude, Inc.** 386,702 151 9.7 13.1
————— ——- — — —-
Microsoft Sites 385,581 149 11.2 11.2
————— ——- — —- —-
SpotXchange Video Ad Marketplace** 356,755 207 10.3 11.3
——————————— ——- — —- —-
ESPN 343,801 131 20.0 5.6
—- ——- — —- —
Viacom Digital 286,024 123 12.8 7.3
————– ——- — —- —
*Video ads include streaming-video advertising only and do not include other types of video monetization, such as overlays, branded players, matching banner ads, homepage ads, etc.

**Indicates video ad network

**Indicates video ad exchange

President Obama Leads Mitt Romney by 9 points and Rick Santorum by 12 points

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 17/02/2012 | 0 Comments

Ron Paul does best against the President

Harris Poll Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Harris Interactive)

With about ten days to go before the next primaries in the Republican race for the nomination, all four remaining Republicans are losing to President Obama by between 8 and 17 points. As the race narrows down to the final candidate, just half of Americans (51%) say they are satisfied with the choices available to them for President while more than two in five (44%) are not satisfied. Independents are the most dissatisfied with over half (55%) saying they are not satisfied with the choices while two-thirds of Democrats (68%) are satisfied. Republicans are more split as half are satisfied (52%) and 44% are not satisfied. But the Republican satisfaction is soft with just 13% very satisfied and 39% saying they are only somewhat satisfied.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,056 adults surveyed online between February 6 and 13, 2012 by Harris Interactive.

Head to head match-ups

If the presidential election were held today, 46% of Americans would vote for President Obama, 37% would vote for Mitt Romney and 17% are not at all sure. Last month, two in five U.S. adults (43%) said they would vote for President Obama while 39% said they would vote for Mitt Romney. Among Independents, it’s a slightly closer race with 43% voting for the President and 37% voting for the former governor and 46% of adults in the 2012 Swing States (Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia) would vote for President Obama and 39% would vote for Mitt Romney.

Ron Paul may not be in the fight for front-runner, but he actually makes it a slightly tighter race as 45% of Americans would vote for President Obama and 37% would vote for the Congressman while 18% are not at all sure. Among Independents, Paul is ahead 42% to the President’s 40% but in the 2012 Swing States the President is ahead 45% to 41% for Paul.

He may be jockeying for front-runner status but the former Senator from Pennsylvania is more than ten points behind the President. Almost half of Americans would vote for President Obama (47%) while 35% would vote for Rick Santorum and 18% are not at all sure. Among Independents, 44% would vote for President Obama and 35% for Santorum with 20% not at all sure. In the 2012 Swing states, 46% would vote for the President while 40% would vote for Santorum.

Finally, if the election was held today, half of Americans (50%) would vote for President Obama and one-third for Newt Gingrich (33%) with 18% not at all sure. Among Independents, President Obama leads Newt Gingrich 47% to 32% with 20% not at all sure and among people in the 2012 Swing states President Obama leads Newt Gingrich 48% to 36% with 16% not at all sure.

So What?

The Republican primary continues to be a road full of twists and turns and the main benefactor to these constant changing stories is President Obama. In each of these four races the President has expanded his lead. The question is what happens when the primary race is over and the Republicans have decided on a candidate. If that happens quickly, he will have time to make the race close, but the longer the primary goes, the shorter the general election timeframe becomes.

TABLE 1
ROMNEY VS. OBAMA
“If the presidential election were held today and these were the two candidates, for whom would
you most likely vote?”
———————————————————————————————–
Base: All adults
—————-
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
— — — — —
% % % % %
— — — — —
Barack Obama 41 41 43 43 46
———— — — — — —
Mitt Romney 40 41 40 39 37
———– — — — — —
Not at all sure 18 18 17 19 17
————— — — — — —
Note: Percentages may not add up
to 100% due to rounding

TABLE 2
ROMNEY VS. OBAMA – By Party and Political Philosophy
“If the presidential election were held today and these were the two candidates, for whom would you most likely vote?”
———————————————————————————————————————-
Base: All adults
—————-
Total 2012 Swing state Party ID Political Philosophy
—– —————- ——– ——————–
Rep. Dem. Ind. Cons. Mod. Lib.
—- —- —- —– —- —-
% % % % % % % %
— — — — — — — —
Barack Obama 46 46 9 84 43 19 51 78
———— — — — — — — — —
Mitt Romney 37 39 77 7 37 64 30 10
———– — — — — — — — —
Not at all sure 17 15 14 9 20 16 19 12
————— — — — — — — — —
Note: Percentages may not add up
to 100% due to rounding; 2012
Swing States are Colorado,
Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada,
New Hampshire, North Carolina,
Ohio and Virginia

TABLE 3
GINGRICH VS OBAMA
“If the presidential election were held today and these were the two candidates, for whom would you most likely vote?”
———————————————————————————————————————-
Base: All adults
—————-
Total Total Total 2012 Party ID Political Philosophy
Dec Jan Feb Swing
States
——
Rep. Dem. Ind. Cons. Mod. Lib.
—- —- —- —– —- —-
% % % % % % % % % %
— — — — — — — — — —
Barack Obama 45 45 50 48 12 87 47 19 56 83
———— — — — — — — — — — —
Newt Gingrich 38 36 33 36 72 6 32 63 24 6
————- — — — — — — — — — —
Not at all sure 17 19 18 16 16 7 20 18 20 12
————— — — — — — — — — — —
Note: Percentages may not add up
to 100% due to rounding; 2012
Swing States are Colorado,
Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada,
New Hampshire, North Carolina,
Ohio and Virginia

TABLE 4
PAUL VS. OBAMA
“If the presidential election were held today and these were the two candidates, for whom would you most likely vote?”
———————————————————————————————————————-
Base: All adults
—————-
Total Oct Total Nov Total Total 2012 Party ID Political
Philosophy
Jan Feb Swing
States
——
Rep Dem Ind Cons Mod Lib
— — — —- — —
% % % % % % % % % % %
— — — — — — — — — — —
Barack Obama 41 40 42 45 45 10 84 40 20 50 74
———— — — — — — — — — — — —
Ron Paul 36 38 38 37 41 71 8 42 61 31 14
——– — — — — — — — — — — —
Not at all sure 23 21 20 18 15 19 9 18 19 19 12
————— — — — — — — — — — — —
Note: Percentages may not add up
to 100% due to rounding; 2012
Swing States are Colorado,
Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada,
New Hampshire, North Carolina,
Ohio and Virginia

TABLE 5
SANTORUM VS. OBAMA
“If the presidential election were held today and these were the two candidates, for whom would you most likely vote?”
———————————————————————————————————————-
Base: All adults
—————-
Total Total 2012 Party ID Philosophy
Jan Feb Swing
States
— —
Rep. Dem. Ind. Cons. Mod. Lib.
—- —- —- —– —- —-
% % % % % % % % %
— — — — — — — — —
Barack Obama 45 47 46 10 85 44 18 54 78
———— — — — — — — — — —
Rick Santorum 36 35 40 74 6 35 67 25 7
————- — — — — — — — — —
Not at all sure 19 18 14 16 8 20 15 21 14
————— — — — — — — — — —
Note: Percentages may not add up
to 100% due to rounding; 2012
Swing States are Colorado,
Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada,
New Hampshire, North Carolina,
Ohio and Virginia

TABLE 6
SATISFACTION WITH CANDIDATE CHOICES
“How satisfied are you with the choices available to you for President?”
————————————————————————
Base: All adults
—————-
Total Tea 2012 Party ID Philosophy
Party Swing
Supporter States
—— —
Rep Dem Ind Cons Mod Lib
— — — —- — —
% % % % % % % % %
— — — — — — — — —
SATISFIED (NET) 51 51 55 52 68 42 50 49 61
————– — — — — — — — — —
Very Satisfied 19 12 25 13 35 12 16 17 31
————– — — — — — — — — —
Somewhat satisfied 32 39 30 39 33 30 34 32 30
—————— — — — — — — — — —
NOT SATISFIED (NET) 44 48 41 44 29 55 47 46 34
—————— — — — — — — — — —
Not very satisfied 28 34 27 32 18 34 32 28 20
—————— — — — — — — — — —
Not at all satisfied 16 14 14 12 11 21 15 18 14
——————– — — — — — — — — —
Not at all sure 5 1 4 4 3 3 4 6 5
————— — — — — — — — — —
Note: Percentages may not add up
to 100% due to rounding; 2012
Swing States are Colorado,
Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada,
New Hampshire, North Carolina,
Ohio and Virginia
Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between January 25 and 27, 2012 among 2,099 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words “margin of error” as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

J41216
Q1245, 1246, 1247, 1249, 1250

The Harris Poll®#18, February 17, 2012
By Regina A. Corso, SVP, Harris Poll, Public Relations and Youth Research, Harris Interactive

Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) tourism human resources conference to explore partnerships & innovation

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 15/02/2012 | 0 Comments

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – How to enhance Caribbean human resources through partnerships and innovation will be the key subject of discussion when tourism human resources professionals from across the Caribbean gather in Barbados from May 23 to 25 for a major conference.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced that tourism HR practitioners will explore ways to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills as it relates to human resources challenges in the tourism environment at the 6th Tourism Human Resources conference will be held at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

During the three day event, tourism human resources professionals from the public and private sectors, tourism educators and trainers and consultants will approach the theme from a number of angles. These include effective leadership and employee engagement, how to recognize and nurture leadership at all levels of an organization and how to leverage resources across boundaries.

An exciting workshop aimed at breathing life into the workplace has been planned. This workshop – Waking up the Tourism Workplace – is one of two intensive practical learning sessions to be presented by experts in the various fields. The other workshop will focus on innovation and creativity in the workplace.

CTO is partnering with the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and the Barbados Hospitality Institute – Hotel PomMarine, to organize the conference.

US DOJ files appeal to reinstate Buju’s gun charges

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 13/02/2012 | 0 Comments

The US Department of Justice has filed an appeal to reinstate the gun charge thrown out in Buju’s trial. It seems a though a recent appeal filed by David Oscar Markus, Buju’s attorney in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Eleventh District has perturbed the US Department of Justice.(See Appeal)

Buju Banton

Last February, a Tampa jury found Buju guilty on conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, and using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. In addition, to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense. It is the opinion of the USDOJ, they satisfied the burden of proof, stating that someone bringing a gun to the drug deal was a “reasonable foreseeable action”. Buju’s defense successfully argued that the gun and drug charge were coupled, thus the gun charges were tossed. However, if the gun charges are reinstated, Buju could have an additional five years added to his ten year sentence. Although, Buju was given the lowest sentence possible for his crimes his legal team aggressively pursued an appeal. Further, federal prosecutors presented video of Banton, “tasting” or testing cocaine in a warehouse where the suspected drug deal took place. Audio tapes of recorded conversations of Banton and a federal drug informant were also exhibited at trial.

What’s next?

A response has to be filed by Buju’s defense in 30 days, and the responses may take as long a year before a decision is rendered.

Haiti PM: US State Dept to send legal team to help strengthen Haiti’s judiciary

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 13/02/2012 | 0 Comments

By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, February 13, 12:46 PM

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The U.S. State Department is sending to Haiti a team of legal experts to look at ways to strengthen the Caribbean nation’s beleaguered judiciary, Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille said Monday.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Conille said the delegation is scheduled to arrive in Haiti this week following a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“We did ask them for assistance in looking at how do we make sure that we can reinforce our judiciary system,” Conille said. “We need to look at how do we make sure that when a judge gives a verdict, in whatever direction, people feel comfortable, that the judge ruled in all independence.”

Conille didn’t immediately offer details on the delegation but said that one of its aims would be to look at a much-criticized ruling in the high-profile case of former strongman Jean-Claude Duvalier.

An investigative judge recommended last month that the former despot known as “Baby Doc” face trial for financial crimes rather than the human rights abuses associated with his 15-year rule.

The decision prompted condemnation from human rights groups and plaintiffs, who said they suspected political interference from the government.

The administration of President Michel Martelly has said it has never influenced the case.

The Justice Ministry filed an appeal of the judge’s ruling, Martelly’s office said last week.

Both plaintiffs and the defense, which has said Duvalier is innocent on all charges, also plan to appeal.

Reached by telephone Monday morning, U.S. Embassy spokesman Jon Piechowski didn’t disclose details about the delegation.

Conille announced the plans after a news conference in which he said he had met with U.S. officials in Washington last week and discussed Haitian government proposals to revive the army, which was disbanded in 1995 because of a history of abuse.

Conille and other Haitian officials hope the “modern” army they have in mind will eventually take over security responsibilities from a U.N. peacekeeping mission that has been in Haiti since 2004, when then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was toppled.

The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to arrive in Haiti on Monday for a four-day trip that will review the work carried out by its peacekeeping force.

US government responds to Buju Banton’s appeal

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 13/02/2012 | 0 Comments

Buju Banton

The U.S. government says plenty of evidence supports a federal jury’s conviction of Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton on cocaine conspiracy and trafficking charges.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, is appealing the February 2011 conviction. Defense attorney David O. Markus says his client was relentlessly pursued by a government informant, resulting in improper entrapment.

Federal prosecutors filed their response Friday in Atlanta’s federal appeals court.
Prosecutors say Banton’s words and actions, in recorded conversations and a videotaped meeting in a Sarasota, Fla., warehouse where Banton tasted some cocaine, revealed the singer “eagerly brokered” a drug deal between a friend and undercover government agents.

They also asked the appeals court to reverse a judge’s decision to toss a related gun charge.

Banton is serving a 10-year prison sentence.

Raul Penaranda, a Rising Star in Fashion Elite, to Debut at New York’s Fashion Week

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 13/02/2012 | 0 Comments

NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Colombo-Venezuelan designer, Raul Penaranda, proudly debuts his Fall/Winter 2012 ready to wear collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on February 15th. Penaranda, who lives by the mantra ‘Dream, Vision, Reality’ is ready to reaffirm his place among the world’s fashion elite.

Inspired by midnight opulence, Penaranda’s stunning collection highlights the magnificence of understated beauty. Like that of a shooting star in the sky of midnight opulence, Raul used his talent, personality, vigor and enthusiasm to propel himself from the obscurity of the dark sky to the runway of New York’s premier fashion event. Penaranda’s collection is replete with lavish fabrics and simple cuts, which are the hallmark of the Penaranda brand.

After eleven years of an impressive career collaborating and working with Liz Claiborne, DKNY, Kellwood, Tommy Hilfiger and Oscar de la Renta, Penaranda’s recent recognitions by industry critics are a testament of his unique sensibility, craftsmanship and excellence.

“This year has been remarkable and memorable in many ways, most important in my personal and professional life,” said Penaranda. “It has been only the 15th month since I launched my first collection and these 3 moments had been very special to me on this journey: I have been able to present my collection to fashion editors at Vogue, Lucky and Vanity Fair magazines at the world-famous Conde Nest building here in NYC. I have been invited to the Emmy’s and the private Governor Ballroom event in Los Angeles and have shared the stage with Hope Frank, Chief Marketing Officer of Webtrends, Evan Green, Chief Marketing Officer of the Recording Academy of Arts and Jeanniey Mullen, Chief Marketing Officer of Zinio & Viv Magazine.” This past year he also meet fellow Colombian, Nina Garcia, Editor of Marie Claire and judge on the Lifetime show Project Runway, whose team has personally visited with Penaranda to learn more about his brand. Penaranda’s creations will also debut in the upcoming season of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice Season 5, where contestant Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will wear his designs during the show. She is confirmed to attend Penaranda’s show as a special guest.

In collaboration with marketing and production agency XL Alliance, www.xlalliance.com, and producer Cesar Camacho, Penarada will be hosting a private showing of his collection to a select group of guests, industry insiders and members of media at the Midtown Loft and Terrace 267 fifth avenue 11th Floor New York, NY 10016, February 15th at 7:00pm. To request a press pass or schedule interviews, please contact: pr@raulpenaranda.com. For more information about Raul Penaranda visit www.raulpenaranda.com

SOURCE Raul Penaranda LLC

St. Kitt’s Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation, Fact or Fiction ???

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 12/02/2012 | 0 Comments

February 12, 2012

According to the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis, an investment of $250,000 get you a passport. A passport goes for a $250,000 cash donation to the country’s Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation, which was set up to benefit retired sugar workers. “The Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis (also known as St. Kitts and Nevis) allows a person the opportunity to obtain citizenship trough its government sponsored investment program (“the Citizenship by Investment Program”). The Citizenship by Investment Program in St. Kitts and Nevis is the longest established economic citizenship program in the world having been established in 1984. The Citizenship by Investment Program is legitimate, well regulated and enjoys international approval and acceptance. Regulations for the Citizenship by Investment Program are provided for in the Citizenship Act and the Program is fully supported by the Sovereign Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.”

Investors can also buy approved real estate worth at least $400,000. However, the retired sugar workers have no idea where the money goes. Former Minister of national security, justice, and legal affairs Dywer Astaphan was quoted in the Buenos Aires Herald challenging the “transparency” of the SIDF (Sugar Industry Diversification Program).

Manipulation of trust issues are apparent in the government’s intentions, and it is abundantly clear that the retired sugar workers receive nothing, nor have access to this fund. In addition, why would a “an independent charitable foundation” have a private registration? SIDF.org, The sugar program’s website, is registered to:
Henley and Partners Holdings LTD.

The Financial Services Regulatory Commission “FSRC” was established under the Financial Services Regulatory Commission Act, No. 22 of 2009 to regulate the non-bank financial sector. According to the FSRC, The FSRC is responsible for regulating/supervising the following entities:-

Insurance Companies (Domestic and Captive)
Private Pension Plans
Money Services Businesses
Credit Unions
Trust and Corporate Service Providers

The Sugar Industry Diversification Program should qualify as a Private Pension Plan, it is registered by a privately held company. Is the FSRC, regulating or supervising the SIDF???

Nicaragua, Central America’s Top Economy in 2011

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 11/02/2012 | 3 Comments

The Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN, for its acronym in Spanish), in a recently published report, stated that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 4.7 percent in 2011, the highest growth rate in the Central American region and well above the Latin America and the Caribbean average of 4.3 percent.

Following Nicaragua’s growth in 2011 were Costa Rica with a 3.8 percent GDP growth, Guatemala with 3.3 percent, Honduras with 3.2 percent and El Salvador with 1.4 percent. This is the second consecutive year in which Nicaragua leads the region in terms of GDP growth.

BCN indicated that in 2011 Nicaraguan exports reached US$2,264 million, increasing by 22.3 percent when compared to 2012, which was the highest growth rate in FOB exports in the region. The country’s main export products (in terms of volume) were sugar, beef, coffee, peanuts, dairy and black beans.

Within the free zone sector, the country’s vibrant apparel industry also demonstrated positive tendencies during 2011. By November 2011, Nicaragua was the 11th largest worldwide apparel supplier to the U.S. in volume and the 12th largest in value, thus becoming an important player in the global textile and apparel industry.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), when comparing the January-November period between 2011 and 2010, general imports to the U.S. from Nicaragua grew by 37.6 percent (in value) reaching US$1,280 million and 17.8 percent (in volume) reaching 389 million square meters.

Additionally, according to preliminary official data, tourism figures in Nicaragua increased over four percent during 2011, with more than 1.06 million visitors, establishing a new historic record in tourism arrivals. Tourism revenues reached approximately US$363 million in 2011, an 18 percent increase compared to the US$308 reached in 2010.

The Central Bank’s projected data demonstrates that 2012 will continue to show successful economic figures with Nicaragua’s GDP expected to grow between 3.5 and 4 percent.

Green Investment Power Forum For Guyana

GFBC NEWS STAFF | 11/02/2012 | 4 Comments

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 10, 2012: The first Green Investment power forum has been added to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 13th annual Sustainable Tourism Conference and is set for Guyana this April.

The CTO is partnering with Invest Caribbean Now, the brand founded by Felicia Persaud, the Guyana-born CEO of the New York-based digital media company Hard Beat Communications, to present the inaugural green forum.

The event is set for April 18, 2012 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal and will feature Greg Watson, head of the Climate Change team at the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of The Inter-American Development Group and Tony Fiddy, President of Naanovo Energy UK Ltd.

Persaud explained that the green forum will be similar to the company’s Invest Caribbean Now New York forum, which took place last June in New York, allowing presentations from both speakers while giving ministers of government, tourism officials, entrepreneurs and other delegates the opportunity to pitch their investment ideas and prospects to both Watson and Fiddy.

The successful June 9, 2011 event at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel featured over 300 money managers, investors, hoteliers, ministers of governments and real estate developers as part of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Caribbean Week in New York series of events. The event returns this June 6th to New York City and will feature CEO of McKinney Rogers, Damian Rogers as the key note speaker along with the chairman of Blue Equity, LLC, Jonathan Blue and President of Solamon Energy, Jay Neo.

“The Caribbean and Guyana has tremendous potential for investments, especially for green investors, as evidenced by the interest of many renewable companies in a region rich with sun, wind and waterfalls, all of which have become attractive potential sources of power,” said Persaud. “This event presents an opportunity for the government of Guyana as well as Caribbean ministers and entrepreneurs to do business in renewables.”

Watson re-joined the Multilateral Investment Fund of the IDB Group in 2008, having previously worked there from 2004-2007. He serves as the team leader for the MIF’s environment and clean energy team, conceptualizing, overseeing, and implementing the MIF’s climate change projects, investments and research in clean and efficient energy, natural capital, and adaptation.

Watson leads several projects in the Caribbean, including a recent regional project on adaptation, projects on energy efficiency in Jamaica and Barbados, and a project on sustainable tourism and biodiversity in Guyana.

Reporting to the President and CEO of Naanovo Energy Inc., Fiddy holds the dual position of President of Naanovo’s Waste to Energy Division and the Regional Vice President for Europe and Africa. As head of the WTE Division, his primary responsibility is to oversee the global deployment of WTE/MaaxTM systems and to work with regional representatives of Naanovo and its subsidiaries in the development of WTE projects. This includes projects in the Caribbean, among them St. Kitts/Nevis.

Partnership and exhibitor opportunities to be a part of the historic Guyana Green Energy forum are available by calling 1-646-820-5694 or emailing Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com.

Guyana has become a key player in the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions which significantly contribute to climate change. The Caribbean Tourism Organization has been staging its Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise known as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC) since 1997. This conference will be keynoted by former Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo on April 15th and is part of the information dissemination and regional awareness component of CTO’s Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. STC also serves as a primary arena where new and creative ideas about enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the Caribbean tourism product are generated.

Partners to date for the April 18th Green Investment forum include One Caribbean Television, CaribPR Wire and News Americas Now.