International Attorney Philip Marcovici, CEO of LawInContext Pte Ltd and Ivan A. Sacks, Partner and New York Office Managing Director of Withers, are only two of an impressive lineup of international speakers to be featured during the upcoming [International Business and Finance Summit](http://www.bahamassummit.com) (IBFS) hosted by the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB).
The event will be held at the Bimini Bay Resort, Bimini, on January 29-31. The [agenda](https://bfsb-bahamas.com/news.php?cmd=view&id=2883&pre=y) focuses on clarifying the significant opportunities for growth in international business, with particular emphasis on financial services.
Morning sessions will explore the development of a strategy for the jurisdiction by building the framework for a specific sector – Private Wealth Management. Sebastian Dovey of Scorpio Partnership will open by developing a business case for *“Securing Business Opportunities”*; that is, where are the business opportunities that can generate revenue in private banking and fiduciary services to ensure that Bahamian financial services providers can be profitable. He will be followed by Mr. Marcovici, who will examine the other side of the coin — what does the jurisdiction have to do secure the business; that is, what skills, infrastructure, services are required. Vince Colvin, formerly of Deloitte’s International Financial Jurisdiction Advisory Services, will reference this dialogue and speak to how we build a strategy for the private wealth sector and all other sectors to be pursued.
The opening session in the afternoon, *”Pre-Requisites for Growth”*, is designed to bring together experts to give advice in building the client base. Mr. Sacks is one of several expert presenters on a *“Capturing the Client”* panel during this Session. The other major themed Session, *“Re-Examining Our Building Blocks*”, will address, inter alia, the landmark changes in tax policy globally and seek to peer into the future to assess what can be expected in the years ahead. This assessment of future tax and regulatory policy is a core features of the annual meeting of the financial services industry, with local and international experts addressing this critical area at the 2010 Summit.
All Plenary Sessions, along with presentations by Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. T. Brent Symonette; Attorney General, Hon. John K.F. Delaney, and Minister of State for Finance, Hon. Zhivargo Laing, will lead into the Breakout Workshops on *”Building Sustainable & Profitable Businesses.”*
Mr. Marcovici previously served as International Tax Partner of Baker & McKenzie and now is CEO of LawInContext, the interactive knowledge venture of the law firm. LawInContext provides cost-effective access to online legal information and training from the experts at Baker & McKenzie. LawInContext’s Helpdesks feature country-by-country access to selected topics in various areas of the law. Over 100 institutions rely on LawInContext Helpdesks, Alerts and Training Modules, the last of which are self-paced, multimedia programs that feature interactive exercises and quizzes with test results.
Mr. Marcovici’s specialty is in international tax and trusts, and training for private banks and global families. As Senior Tax Partner at Baker& McKenzie he was involved with a number of research projects for international financial services, including the drafting the UK/Liechtenstein Tax Information Exchange Agreement. He is a Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Canadian and American Bar Associations and admitted in England and Wales, Hong Kong, British Columbia and New York. His Law degrees are from the University of Ottawa and Harvard Law School.
Ivan Sacks provides trust, estate and tax planning advice to wealthy U.S. and international families, with a particular emphasis on cross-border wealth management. He counsels families on structuring and management of their closely held enterprises, investments and family offices, the administration of large estates and trusts, and represents banks and trust companies on fiduciary matters. Ivan also advises individuals with respect to the acquisition and structuring of their personal assets, including jets, yachts and art. Ivan leads the New York office in his role as Office Managing Director. He is also Head of the firm’s Latin America Practice Group. He is admitted to the Bar of the State of New York and the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York.
He is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the New York State Bar Association, and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. He has been recognized as a USA American Leading Lawyer (2009) as well as Citiwealth’s Top 100 International Lawyers (2008-2009)
BFSB CEO & Executive Director Wendy Warren says, *“BFSB firmly believes that numerous advancements s in the industry over the years can be attributed to discussions that originated in the annual Retreat/Strategy sessions and workshops”.* She added, *“With the perspectives of advisors such as Philip and Ivan we are confident that relevant timely information will be accessed and actioned”.*