Opening speeches and presentations on technology and materials high-lighted the opening of the Seminar on Entrepreneurship, Post- Disaster Recovery and Industrial Upgrading & 2018 China-Caribbean and Latin America Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was successfully held at Simpson Bay Resort, Sint Maarten on July 27th - 28th.
The event was jointly hosted by the Beijing International Exchange Association Sustainable Development Committee(SDC), the Promotion Association of Global Youth Innovative Leaders Community(PILC) and Caribbean-China People Foundation(CCPF), and was strongly supported the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Willemstad and the Organizing Committee of the 4th China College Students “Internet +” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.
Opening remarks were given by Liu Wei, Chairman of SDC and Cengiz Kucuk, Executive Chairman of CCPF. And Sun Li, Vice-Consul of People’s Republic of China in Willemstad addressed the Seminar on 27th and awarding ceremony of the competition on 28th.
There were also four keynote speakers: Zhu Lei, Executive Deputy Chairman of PILC; Sandra Cheung, Commissioner of Tzu Chi Foundation in St. Maarten; David Hsu, General Manager of Shuting Construction Company; and Cesar Gao, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Latin America of Inspur Group.
Sun Li, Vice-Consul of People’s Republic of China in Willemstad Addressed the Seminar
Opening Remark from Liu Wei, Chairman of SDC
Opening Remark from Cengiz Kucuk, Executive Chairman of CCPF
Vice Consul Sun Li said in his speech that exchanges and communication between youths are not only important for regional development, but also a powerful channel for promoting international cooperation. The Chinese Consulate General in Willemstad fully supports exchange activities under the 4th China College Students “Internet +” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition in the Caribbean and Latin America and hopes such activities will further promote cooperation between China, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Zhu Lei (on the right), Executive Deputy Chairman of PILC, Presenting the 4th China College Students “Internet +” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition
Keynote Speech from Cesar Gao, Senior Vice President of Inspur Group
Keynote Speech from Sandra Cheung, Commissioner of Tzu Chi Foundation in St. Maarten
Keynote Speech from David Hsu, General Manager of Shuting Construction Company
In the speech, Richard Gibson, former Finance Minister of Sint Maarten, said that since being hit by hurricane "Irma" in September 2017, Sint Maarten has encountered many challenges and is still facing heavy reconstruction work. New technologies and products from China have great advantages in terms of advancement and price, which not only help to rebuild Saint Maarten, but also bring long-term investment benefits. The development of St. Martin needs to introduce new technologies and ideas. China's development achievements deserve the admiration and learning of Sint Maarten.
Speech from Richard Gibson, former Finance Minister of Sint Maarten
Seminar Group Photo
16 teams from Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Montserrat, Anguilla and Dominican Republic has registered the 2018 China-Caribbean and Latin America Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and 1 first prize, 1 second prize, 1 third prize and 3 innovation prizes were giving by the judge panel in the final on July 28.
Finalists of the Competition
Finalists of the Competition
Ameera Groeneveldt (on the right) and Her Project Align Body Solutions Won the First Prize
Ameera Groeneveldt, first prize winner of the competition, said at the event that it is very hopeful that Chinese companies can the project by improving the quality of their products and services with advanced technologies, materials and models, which will also further promote the industrial upgrading and employment of Sint Maarten.
Competition Group Photo
News from The Daily Herald
This event is the first event formally organized by the SDC in the Caribbean regiona, which focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, post-disaster reconstruction and industrial upgrading. Young innovation and entrepreneurs are new forces to promote future economic development and industrial upgrading. More exchange platforms between China and the region are expected to be built as an extension of this event, which will also accumulate valuable experience for the further practice of the “Belt & Road” initiatives in the Caribbean and Latin America.