Joycelyn Murraine, Managing Director, Scotiabank (BVI) Limited with Portia Harrigan of Oyster Global Marketing Group at the signing of the Sponsorship Contract. Photo: Provided

The conference is scheduled to take place in the Virgin Islands on January 16, 2013 at Scrub Island Resort.

Scotiabank’s sponsorship of the conference comes as the Bank seeks to “strategically assert its position as a leading player in the financial sector, and an active business leader integral in the discussions around identifying local opportunities for economic growth,” explains Joycelyn Murraine, Country Head and Managing  Director for Scotiabank BVI.   

The 2013 Conference is centered around the theme “Thinking Outside the Box” and will be looking at the outcome of the recent US Presidential elections, the macro outlook for the United States over the next four years; and the implications for the VI.

The main speaker will be Neera Tandan, President of the Center for American Progress who has been instrumental in the Obama and Clinton Administrations.

Speaking about Scotiabank’s sponsorship of the event, Portia Harrigan, Co-coordinator of the BVI Business Outlook Conference said it is “indeed a pleasure to have Scotiabank on board as this is a great partnership particularly as Scotiabank continues to expand its support of small businesses to promote economic growth.” She added that it is always great to have a strong partner as it not only speak to the quality of the event, but also add further depth to the experience for everyone.

The business leaders at the event will also be examining Entrepreneurship as one of the key points of focus in one of two panel discussions booked on the agenda. Scotiabank is slated to be among the panelists examining the topic of “Catching the Entrepreneurial Spirit in the BVI.”

The panelists will be challenged to address the complicated issues which confront small business owners in a clear and direct manner; as they seek to give hope and guidance to local entrepreneurs.

Scotiabank has been a major player in promoting and financing entrepreneurship in the Virgin Islands and look forward to contributing to the dialogue on entrepreneurship at the Business BVI Conference. Speaking about the Bank’s commitment to Small Business development, Ms Murraine said “We have continued to show our depth of involvement and commitment to entrepreneurship in BVI as our team work tirelessly to offer solid advice; financial know-how and training tools that will help existing customers and prospects start and grow their small business. We have focused on financial literacy, business planning and technical know- how in our mix of business solutions which we have proven to be vital to the success of every entrepreneurship venture.”

In addition to Scotiabank, other panelists participating in the discussion will include representatives from the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship, The MACO Investment Group and Head of the VI’s Small Business Bureau.

Scotiabank will also be hosting an exhibition booth and business desk at the conference where its Business Banking team will be networking with attendees to discuss their ideas around developing and financing business ventures.

The BVI Business Outlook Conference which has been running now for three years has been a huge success with over 150 business owners and top executives in attendance and had Sir Richard Branson as its Keynote speaker last year, addressing the topic “ Preparing for  New Global Opportunity.”