It was a quiet start to day one of the Asian Development Bank meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center. Local exhibitors hope
to secure contracts at
ADB conventionBy Lyn Danninger
Star-BulletinAfter welcoming remarks from Gov. Ben Cayetano yesterday morning, ADB attendees got down to work with a series of meetings and seminars that began at 9 a.m. and lasted till almost 6 p.m.
With ADB participants occupied for most of the day, attendance was sparse at the convention center's main exhibit hall, called the Global Pavilion.
Exhibitors in the pavilion included Hawaii's state agencies, various county economic development boards, representatives from the tourism sector, as well as private financial services and institutions, management, agriculture, technical and engineering services companies, health care service companies and an assortment of consultants.
Consultant David Rosenblum of Finance International, a small, mainland-based company that specializes in finding financing for a variety of international projects, was also at the Global Pavilion.
He said he is impressed with what he has seen so far at this year's ADB meeting.
"I've been to other ADB and World Bank events before. This one seems very well organized and professional," he said.
Safe Water Systems LLC, a Hawaii company also exhibiting at the pavilion, is hoping it will secure an ADB contract for its product, a solar water pasteurizer.
The device uses the sun's energy to cleanse harmful bacteria from water.
Company President Will Hartzell says the device would have great application in many small towns and villages in Asia and the Pacific, where obtaining a source of clean water is often difficult.
He is banking on tomorrow evening's Hawaii Business Forum reception to be the event where he can network and make further contacts.
Even though few delegates had visited the Global Pavilion on its first day, Hartzell says he has already made some headway with ADB.
"So far, I've met with the head of ADB's poverty reduction unit and one of the bank's vice presidents," he said.
Asian Development Bank
