Latin American tropical forest investment forum: issues and opportunities for investment in natural tropical forests

[En Español]

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) is convening the Latin American Tropical Forest Investment Forum, from 23 to 24 November 2006, in Curitiba, Brazil.

This regional forum will be an ideal opportunity to discuss issues and opportunities to invest in natural tropical forests in Latin America. Plenary presentations and panel discussions will focus on regional investment trends, constraints and opportunities for increased investments in natural tropical forests, methodologies, case studies, analyses and legislation that influence investments for revenue generation, including markets for forest services and non-timber forest products.

The regional investment forum will take place in conjunction with the III International Congress on Solid Wood Products from Plantation Forests, to be held at the same location from 20 to 22 November 2006. The complementarity of both meetings is anticipated to attract a large participation from public and private sector agencies and companies involved with forestry and wood processing in Brazil and Latin America, thus offering unique opportunities for these entities to meet and exchange ideas on tropical forest investment.

Who will attend

The forum will bring together senior executives of private and public sector financial institutions, leading forestry and conservation agencies and representatives of forestry sector of tropical Latin America. The forum will be interactive, with plenary presentations followed by chaired panel discussions.

The forum aims to increase participants' understanding of the opportunities and constraints for investing in natural tropical forest based enterprises, and the information and tools available or needed to promote investment in natural tropical forests in Latin America.

This forum will follow up on the discussions from the International Tropical Forest Investment Forum held in Cancun, Mexico, 26—27 April 2006, from which the presentations and summary conclusions are available on the ITTO website.

>> Download the draft agenda

The Forum will be convened at the Estacao Embratel Convention Centre, which is situated in the centre of Curitiba. Integrated with the old train station of Curitiba, the Estação Embratel is one of the most modern convention centers in Latin America.

How to get to Brazil and Curitiba

All major international airlines have daily flights to Brazil and it should be noted that arriving at Curitiba is usually via a domestic flight from the major Brazilian cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or Brazilia.

Please note that the City of São Paulo is serviced by one domestic airport called 'Congonhas' and one international airport called 'Guarulhos/Cumbica', and both offer connecting flights to Curitiba. However, flights from the international airport to Curitiba are recommended.

To travel from the 'Afonso Pena' International airport at Curitiba to the city center, the bus line Rui Barbosa Square operates from 7:00am to 11:00pm at 15- to 30-minute intervals. The bus fare is US$6 for a one-way ticket to Rui Barbosa Square, which is within walking distance from the Estacao Embratel Convention Center. Taxis may also be taken to the city center and will cost approximately US$22.

Accredited taxis in Curitiba can be hailed throughout the city; all are metered. Tips are appreciated although not customary. Before leaving the hotel, it is recommended that you obtain from the concierge a business card with the address of the hotel printed in Portuguese for the return trip.

Forum registration and hotel booking form

Participation at the Forum is open to all interested stakeholders and there are no registration or attendance fees, but participants are expected to pay their transportation and hotel accommodation costs in Curitiba. A forum registration form and hotel booking form can be downloaded now.

>> Download the registration form

Participants are advised to book at the Bourbon Hotel, which is conveniently located near the Estacao Convention Center. A free shuttle service will be offered for registered Forum participants to and from the Estacao Convention Center on 23 and 24 November. In addition, participants booked at the Bourbon Hotel can request a shuttle bus transfer from the airport to the hotel upon arrival and upon departure for a fee of US$30 per person. Participants wishing this transport service should communicate their flight information (expected arrival/departure times at Curitiba airport and respective flight numbers) directly with WR São Paulo.

Room discount rates will also be offered for Forum Participants at six other hotels (see attached Hotel List), located closely to the Estacao Embratel Convention Center. Please contact these hotels directly for your room booking.

Flight reservations

Please be aware that many international conferences take place during the month of November in Brazil and therefore flight bookings need to be done well in advance.

Please note that you must have a valid passport with an expiry date no less than six months from the date of your entry into Brazil.

Participants from countries not listed in the document 'Visa and entry requirements for Brazil' require an entry visa to enter Brazil and are strongly advised to approach the nearest Brazilian Diplomatic/Consular Mission in order to secure the required entry visa prior to departure. As appropriate, a request for a tourist visa may suffice.

Participants requiring an entry visa to Brazil should attach, as appropriate, to their visa application forms the following:

•   One passport-size photograph – except for Diplomatic visas
•   An international health certificate in respect of yellow fever

A list of the Brazilian consular and diplomatic missions abroad can be accessed at the following web site: http://www.mre.gov.br/ingles/index.htm.

It should be noted that this procedure takes several weeks and participants who require such documents are urged to initiate action as soon as possible.

Vaccinations

Brazil is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as both a country endemic of yellow fever and a country requiring yellow fever vaccination for travelers coming from endemic countries. In accordance with regulations laid down by the Ministry of Health, individuals who traveled from or through the countries listed below and which have been declared yellow fever infected areas must provide an International Health Certificate (IHC) indicating that they have received the proper vaccination.

It should be noted that yellow fever vaccination should be given at least ten (10) days prior to departure to Brazil.

The IHC must be submitted together with the visa application form. Participants should also present the said certificate to the Immigration Officer upon arrival at the port of entry into Brazil.

The yellow fever vaccination certification is required for nationals residing or traveling through the following countries: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Venezuela. Yellow fever vaccination should be obtained at least 10 days prior to arrival in Brazil.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for those traveling to the following Brazilian States: Acre, Amazonas, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins and the Federal District.