**Theme –
International Financial Centres (IFCs): The Essential Piece in the Global Economic Puzzle**

The 2007 ***STEP Caribbean Conference*** is being held in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands on 14-16 May. Grant Stein, Chairman of the 2007 Conference announced recently that the theme of the 2007 conference has been selected to stimulate discussion among trust professionals about the importance of International Financial Centres (IFCs) as essential partners in global business.

*“Historically, IFCs have been seen as secondary players in the world of international finance but this year’s conference is designed to highlight the vital contribution that we make to the global financial services sector”* stated Mr. Stein. *”Tax and jurisdictional neutrality are important factors in any cross-border planning and IFCs provide ideal locations for the neutral platforms that are essential in so many genuine multi-jurisdictional structures.”*

The ***STEP Caribbean Conference***, now in its 9th year, has gathered together an impressive array of international speakers for what promises to be a thought-provoking and stimulating conference. With the 2006 conference in Bermuda being the largest ***STEP Caribbean Conference*** to date, Cayman is confident of similar success with sponsorship and delegate numbers already tracking well. See link below for the Presenting and Other sponsors, as well as information on the agenda.

Topics for 2007 include an extensive overview of *“The Levin Report: Fact, Fiction or Simply Politics”*, *“The Modern Family”* and *“Dealing with Difficult Clients”*. Speakers include Shan Warnock-Smith QC, Mark Bridges, Peter Larder and Richard Pease, STEP Worldwide Chair. The 2007 Conference will also examine macro issues facing STEP professionals worldwide with speakers coming from the US, the UK, and Europe. Back by popular demand, is international business and finance professor and Director of the Global Perspectives Program at Goizueta Business School of Emory University, Dr. Jeffrey Rosensweig, who will examine the economic and global impact of the baby boomers turning sixty.

Delegates are expected from all of the Caribbean Finance Centres and they will join a large contingent from host country Cayman Islands. In the past delegates from The Bahamas, the BVI, Bermuda and Barbados have joined large groups from the UK and Europe.