Focus Turns To Global Free Trade In Boca Raton, As Economy Bounces Back And Fed Talks Of Surge In Productivity BOCA RATON, Fla., November 7, 2003 -- The focus on global trade is becoming more intense in light of recent announcements from the Fed about the economic upswing and burst of productivity in American companies. A panel discussion tomorrow in Boca Raton will home in on some of these hot button topics relating to global free trade, which economists say is possibly the most important issue facing policy makers right now. They say any jobs revival in the US would only come after a revival that happens offshore, where most goods are produced. The World Trade Center Palm Beach (WTCPB) will be hosting a presentation, executive luncheon and panel discussion, 9am to 1:30pm, Thursday November 13th at Lynn University, 3601 North Military Trail, in Boca Raton. Keynote speaker, Dr. Sharon T. Freeman, will take a closer look at the roles of women, immigrant and minorities in the US labor market. Dr. Freeman, who has worked in more than 100 countries, is the founder of the All American Business Exporters Association (AASBEA), which is dedicated exclusively to providing products and services to facilitate the participation of minority, immigrant, and women-owned firms in global and e-commerce marketplaces. "More and more minority-owned firms are cropping up in South Florida, and as the nation's demographics changes, people are realizing they have to treat diversity as seriously as they treat any aspect of a business-internally and externally," said Al Zucaro, WTCPB President. Panelists will also discuss business opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The IDB helps foster sustainable economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean through its lending operations, leadership in regional initiatives, research and knowledge dissemination activities, institutes and programs. A recent IDB report said the surge in female job opportunities "has been the most important source of growth in income per capita in the region." The moderator of Thursday's program will be Mike Zellner, Publisher of Latin Trade Magazine. Panel members include Rick Murrell, President and CEO of Tropical Shipping Co., Ltd., Richard Wainio, Executive Director at the Port of Palm Beach, and Isabel Hagbrink, with the Inter-American Development Bank. # # # CONTACT: Michelle Rosen, +1-561-750-9800, ext. 14, or MRosen@transmediagroup.com