Denise Reid, Gleaner Writer

From left: Ryan Reid, Lisandra Rickards and Afraz Samms show that the staff of Stocks and Securities not only know their figures but are fashion-savvy as well. - Photos by Denise Reid

With many of the who's who of business in attendance, and looking fabulous too, the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment and Capital Markets Third Regional Conference began with a bang at the opening gala banquet.

Welcomed by general manager of the JSE, Marlene Street Forrest, patrons prepared themselves to receive a wealth of information in these "interesting times for the global financial sector", as Curtis Martin, chairman of the JSE, described it.

The group was presented with various opinions and ideas, some of which could be considered enlightening, others controversial. Speakers ranged from managing director of investments at Oppenheimer and Company in Atlanta, Gregory Fisher; director general of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, Wesley Hughes; The Most Honourable Edward Seaga and Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

President of the PSOJ, Christopher Zacca (left), chats with Bloomberg's Charles 'Chip' Rabus and Krissa Gillette-Bloomberg, at the opening gala banquet of the third regional conference on investments and capital markets.

The evening culminated with the presentation of an inaugural award for Caribbean Negotiator Extraordinaire, won by Dr Richard Bernal, who was commended for the great job he has done at the trade negotiating table.

Former prime minister, Edward Seaga, and director general of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, Wesley Hughes, paused for our camera at the third regional conference on investments and capital markets.

Among the attendees were Justice Calvin G. Brown, president of First Global Financial Services; Sandra Shirley, Capital Solutions Oliver Holmes; Capital and Credit's Ryland Campbell; director of Mayberry Investments, Sushil Jain; chief financial officer of Lannaman & Morris Shipping Limited, William Brown, and many others.