Against the backdrop of one the most turbulent periods in financial markets in years, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will host an investor roundtable in collaboration with the business publication Institutional Investor on the theme “Global Imbalances and Caribbean Development”. Over the past few months, world oil prices have reached record highs. Prices for other commodities such as wheat, soybean and corn are also rising, with implications for such issues as food security in the Caribbean. Coupled with the decline in the value of the US dollar and the likelihood of a severe contraction in the US economy, the outlook for the global economy is not good. By extension, Caribbean economies are likely to suffer downturns at a time when they are trying to adjust to the challenges posed by the dynamic trading environment. These developments will inform the roundtable discussion, which will take place on March 26, 2008, in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Senior officials from CDB, the public and private sector, and the investment community are expected to attend. Some of the questions likely to engage their attention are: the likely effects on Caribbean economies (particularly the critical sectors of tourism, financial services and energy/mining) should the US economy continue its contraction or go into recession; the implications of the high commodity prices on economic growth and food security in Caribbean economies; the impact of a continuing fall in the value of the US dollar; and the elements of a regional economic policy that are most likely to be successful in addressing the challenges posed by the changing economic environment. Participants will also look at how CDB can assist its borrowing member countries in meeting the challenges and exploiting the opportunities generated by the dynamic global environment. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com