(Press Release)

Bioenergy Investment Risk Management
through Business Model Innovation

An International Debate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

7 – 9 October 2009

(Hastings-on-Hudson, NY) –    An event on Bioenergy Investment Risk Management through Business Model Innovation will be held in the Dominican Republic from 7 to 9 October 2009 . This will bring together members from the public and private sectors, academia, innovative energy companies. financial experts, non-governmental organizations and United Nations representatives. The Bionergy meetings will be held under the auspices of H.E. Carlos Morales Troncoso, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Enrique Ramirez, President of the National Energy Commission, in cooperation with the Public-Private Alliance Foundation and ResearchPAYS, Inc. and in collaboration with the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic and others.

Announcement was made on 4 September 2009 at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Dominican Republic during a visit by Dr. David Stillman, Executive Director of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation and Mr. Tom Kadala, President of ResearchPAYS, Inc.

Renewable energy, including bioenergy, and its relation to climate change and other issues is at the forefront of discussions worldwide.  Through the recent passage of Law 57-07 on Renewable Energy, the Dominican Republic is taking a leading role for attracting talent, expertise, and foreign direct investments.  Bioenergy such as ethanol and biodiesel fuels can make a significant contribution toward reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels imports, providing sustainable employment opportunities, and developing international recognition for field testing research contributions.  This meeting represents the outcome of two similar discussions held recently at the United Nations in New York.  Reports on the findings of those discussions are available in English and Spanish.

The Santo Domingo meetings will build upon the initiatives developed in the first two discussions.  They will bring together business leaders and high-level representatives from government, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and members of the United Nations family to wrestle with key issues.  Using a format similar to the case study method of the Harvard Business School to facilitate dynamic discussions, the group will seek to identify business model innovations for bioenergy in the Dominican Republic that can lead to investments and partnerships.

The meetings will help establish common perceptions among participants and foster collaborative business opportunities.  The participants’ roles as leaders qualify them for seats at this special event where a free-flowing discussion aimed at new solutions will instigate progressive thinking.  A limited number of seats for observers will be available.

The PPAF – ResearchPAYS® team aims to ensure that these Santo Domingo meetings become the cornerstone for future discussions and collaborative actions.  The intent is to continue to grow and deepen this initiative to attract international interest that can become part of a larger strategy that offers meaningful and sustainable benefits for the people of the Dominican Republic.