Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce Forum: A Decisive Step for the Island’s Economic Future

San Juan, Puerto Rico – February 25, 2025 – The Private Sector and Government Forum, organized by the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (CCPR), was successfully held on February 25, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn in San Juan. This event brought together key figures from both the public and private sectors, serving as a platform to discuss critical reforms and foster the collaboration needed to drive Puerto Rico’s economic development.

A Day of Reflection and Action

The event began with opening remarks by CCPR President, Lcdo. Luis E. Pizarro Otero, who officially inaugurated the forum, emphasizing the importance of this space for developing joint solutions between the public and private sectors. His speech focused on three key pillars: education, tax security, and business security.

First Panel: “Ease of Doing Business” – Permitting Process

The first panel, moderated by Lcda. Alicia Lamboy, Chair of the Environment and Permits Committee, addressed the bureaucratic challenges businesses face in Puerto Rico.

During the discussion, Hon. Héctor Gabriel González, Chair of the Senate Planning Commission, and Hon. Norberto Almodóvar Vélez, Assistant Secretary at the Office of Permit Management, expressed their commitment to streamlining administrative processes. Engineers Josen Rossi and José L. Ortiz Serrano shared insights on improving evaluation processes to simplify the permitting system. Other panelists, including Hon. Sergio Estévez (House of Representatives), Arq. Roberto Alsina (JCM Enterprises), and Jonathan J. Malavé (Grupo Arlequín), proposed strategies to enhance the business environment through education, digitalization, automation, and inspections.

Second Panel: Tax Reform

CPA & Lcdo. Kenneth Rivera Robles moderated a panel on tax reform, a key issue for Puerto Rico’s economic future.

During this discussion, Ángel Pantoja, Secretary of the Department of Treasury, and Migdalia Padilla Alvelo, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, explored fiscal reforms aimed at making the island more competitive in terms of investment and financial sustainability. Other panelists, including Hon. Eddie Charbonier Chinea (House of Representatives) and CPA & Lcda. Denisse Flores (PwC), provided perspectives on improving the tax system to support business growth.

Third Panel: Education – An Investment for the Future

Moderated by Dr. Waleska Crespo, Chair of the CCPR Education Committee, the third panel focused on Puerto Rico’s education system and its crucial role in economic development.

Panelists included Hon. Eliezer Ramos Parés, Secretary of the Department of Education, Hon. Brenda Pérez Soto, Chair of the Senate Education, Arts, and Culture Commission, Hon. Tatiana Pérez Ramírez, Chair of the House of Representatives Education Commission, Michael Fernández-Frey, Executive Director of Caras con Causa, Dr. Héctor Ríos, Professor of Business Administration and International Trade at UPR-RP, Lcda. Amy Vega Ojeda, Administrator of ACUDEN (Administration for the Care and Development of Children), and Dr. Rafael Ramírez Rivera, President of Inter-American University.

All panelists agreed on the need to reform the education system to equip future generations with the skills necessary to face the challenges of the global labor market.

Fourth Panel: Economic Development – Creating a Growth Ecosystem

The event continued with a panel on economic development, moderated by Joanisabel González, Business Editor at El Nuevo Día. This discussion focused on strategies to foster innovation, investment, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Speakers included Sebastián Negrón Reichard, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), Hon. Nitza Morán Trinidad, Chair of the Senate Economic Development, Small Business, Banking, Commerce, Insurance, and Cooperativism Commission, Lcdo. Eduardo Soria, Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience, CPA & Lcdo. Francisco Luis, Partner and Head of Tax at Kevane Grant Thornton, Eli Sepúlveda, Executive Vice President of Credit and Commercial Services at Popular Inc., and Joel Franqui Atiles, Chair of the House of Representatives Economic Development Commission.

They emphasized the importance of creating a collaborative environment between the government and businesses to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Special Remarks and Event Closing

In the afternoon, Hon. Jenniffer González Colón, Governor of Puerto Rico, along with Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz and House of Representatives Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Núñez, delivered special remarks highlighting the importance of inter-agency collaboration to ensure Puerto Rico’s economic progress.

In their speeches, they reinforced the need for unified efforts to create an environment of stability and economic prosperity.

The event concluded with a strong message of unity and commitment between the public and private sectors to build a more robust economic future for Puerto Rico.

Media Contact:

Karen Garnik, APR – 787-502-2424
karen@globalvisioncomms.com

Isadora Hernández – 787-310-3807
isadora@globalvisioncomms.com