The U.S. government through the Deal Team Western Hemisphere and the America Crece initiative presents U.S. firms with the unique opportunity to meet with key decision makers for comprehensive discussions on the ICT landscape for Central America.

In preparation for new global industry trends and technologies, the economic impact on emerging markets, current infrastructure and national security. This Regional Smart Cities and the Digital Transformation event 2020 will provide an ideal setting for public and private actors from the region to come together to develop a roadmap to the future.

• Topics of discussion: Smart Hospitals, Digital Health • Urban Infrastructure & Cyber Security: Buildings, Energy, Grid, Utilities, Resilience • Smart Cities, Smart Mobility: Edge computing for Transportation, Autonomous, Public Transit • Others: Smart Cities, Digital Transformation: Networks, Data, AI, 5G, Sensors, IoT, Cyber Infrastructure & Blockchain.

• Opportunity to listen to and meet thought leaders, government officials and potential partners as they discuss project opportunities in Central America, US government development finance programs, and critical topics for the industry.
  
  
• As the world changes, opportunities to transform developing markets abound.  This conference will offer a unique chance to understand projects, technologies, and trends in Central America, from the comfort of your home. 

CENTRAL AMERICA VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Date: May 28, 2020  - 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST Cost: Virtual Conference: Free Optional Virtual Matchmaking Meetings: Date: May 28, 2020  - 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST and May 29, 2020 - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Business to Business matchmaking virtual meetings: $100

Need to register before May 20 - Space is limited

Questions? For questions regarding this program, please contact Bryan Goldfinger

 at Bryan.Goldfinger@trade.gov

Upcoming projects in the region:

Honduras:

• San Pedro Sula Smart City Development (IDB backed project): Linked to the National Economic Development Plan, San Pedro Sula’s Smart City Project is first of its kind for Honduras.
  
  

• Honduras National Cybersecurity and Digital Government Plan: The President of Honduras has showed a firm willingness to shift to a Digital Government creating an organization dedicated to that very task.
  
  
• Puerto Cortez Smart City Project: The Smart Social Port Project follows in the footsteps of San Pedro Sula’s Smart City project, with a focus on strengthening the institutionality of the municipality of the most important port for the entire Central American region. Operations, administration and education stand at the core of this brand-new initiative.

Panama:

• Panama's National Strategic Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation pledges an investment of $4.3B in ICT from 2019-2024 and transform Panama into a Digital Hub.
  
  

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  An estimated 70 percent of Panama’s 4.1 million population can access the internet. Google announced adding the first Curie branch into Panama, which will enhance connectivity and bandwidth to Central America.
  
  

• Cybersecurity is a priority for the Cortizo administration. Panama and the United States have signed a Security Cooperation Letter of Intent that reflects the commitment of both countries to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation and policy planning.

Costa Rica:

• Costa Rica has made a commitment to continue on the path towards of digital transformation, and has already implemented digital signatures, e-invoicing, electronic charging for public transportation as well as a pilot program for utilities smart metering.
  
  
• 5G has emerged as a priority for the Alvarado administration and has continued towards a robust national healthcare system and distance education.
  
  
• Historically, Costa Rican have been regarded as early adopters of new technologies, for instance with the Internet of Things (IoTs’), implementation of electric micro networks, solar energy (private sector owned) and battery energy storage.
  
  
• Costa Rica has recently issued the Smartcity Index – ICI (Indice de Ciudades Inteligentes) - to measure and compare the development of its largest cities. San José is the most advanced, rated at 54%, and already has information and communication technology (ICT) companies from around the world becoming aware of the great potential Costa Rica is promising.

El Salvador:

• Healthcare: GOES plans to implement digital identity and unique number for medical records.  Project implies challenges such as smart cards, health records data storage as well as cybersecurity policy. 
  
  
• Public Sector: Government of El Salvador is prepared to implement e-signature and e-invoicing with the right partners.  
  
  
• Education: El Salvador distance learning to be implemented at public schools implies over a million licenses, tablets and/or desktops. The challenges include connectivity and equipment as they try and connect households and are exploring how to connect devices directly to the platform.
  
  

SPONSOR THIS EVENT!

Promote your brand, products, and services to U.S. and Central American companies. Contact Diego Gattesco at Diego.Gattesco@trade.gov for more information. Cost: $500