October 2008

PRTEC in On August 26, 2008 the Puerto Rico Technoeconomic Corridor (PRTEC) celebrated their First Annual Summit at the Mayagüez Resort & Casino. Over 80 participants were in attendance, represent ing var ious academic institutions, professional organizations, local and state government officials, strategic partners among others. The main speakers were Eng. Bartolomé

Gamundi, Commerce and Economic Development Secretary, and Dr. José J. Villamil, President of Estudios Técnicos. The guest speakers presented the results of a study commissioned by the Secretary Gamundi to Estudios Técnicos about the theme of Regionalization in Puerto Rico. PRTEC has being designated as the western region economic development organization. The study divided the island in six regions and highlights the assets and strengths of each region. Nelson Perea, PRTEC’s Executive Director, presented the status of PRTEC’s main initiatives and projects. During the activity PRTEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mayagüez Port Commission and Holland Group to collaborate in the development and promotion of the Port of Mayagüez. A second MOU was signed with the Puerto Rico Trade Company to support the participants of the “Key to your business” program in the Western Region.

focus PRTEC Celebrates First Annual Summit

Inside ViTEC2

IBS Caribe offered a PAT Certification seminar. The seminar took place September 12-13 at VITEC2 facilities, with 20 participants. The participants were mostly university students and pharma and biotech industry professionals. Eng. Manuel Hormaza (IBS) and Dr. Romanach from UPRM were the presenters.

Pat Certification IBS Caribe

Atlasbits, one of VITEC2 tenants, was selected by Microsoft as a finalist for the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Partner of the Year Awards in the category of "ISV/Software Solutions, Innovation Partner of the Year" for their School Advanced Academic System (SAAS). Congratulations!

Finalist at Microsoft Competition

PRTEC to Assist Hormigueros

On July 14, 2008 PRTEC signed a professional services contract with Pedro J. García Figueroa, Mayor of the Municipality of Hormigueros. Under the terms of the contract PRTEC will prepare a Strategic Profile and provide advice to the Mayor in economic development. The profile will include a situational/

comparative analysis of the municipality, including socioeconomic data, infrastructure & knowledge assets, development opportunities, actual and future projects inventory and the evaluation of their territorial plans. It will also include recommendations by sectors and an implementation itinerary. PRTEC looks forward to collaborate with other municipalities and integrate them as part our initiatives of economic development for the region.

In this photo: Héctor Carlo, VITEC2 Managing Directror, welcome the seminar participants.

Lockheed Martin Service Desk Inaugurates at Guanajibo.

On September 11, 2008 the Bioprocess Development & Training Complex (BDTC) inaugurated their 30,000 sq.ft. facilities at the Guanajibo Research & Innovation Park in Mayagüez. BDTC is a model of collaboration between industry, government and the academia to strategically enhance Puerto Rico’s capabilities in biotechnology manufacturing, research, bioprocess improvement, and training. The complex is the product of a combined investment of $12.5 million between PRIDCO, the University of Puerto Rico, and EDA. PRTEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BDTC to build up a framework of collaboration to develop mutually beneficial programs, projects and activities.

Lockheed Martin inaugurated their new IT Service Desk at the Guanajibo Innovation Center, at the Guanajibo Research & Innovation Park in Mayagüez. The $500,000 venture is a collaboration effort between PRIDCO and PRTEC, and will add 60 new high tech jobs, the majority professionals educated in engineering and information systems. This project represents the fifth Aerospace Company that has established operations in the western region of the island during the last five years, thanks to Pridco’s promotional efforts, the quality and quantity of UPRM graduates, and PRTEC’s support and landing site facilities. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md. Lockheed Martin is a global aerospace company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, product and services. The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

GRIP Master Plan Finished As intended, the Guanajibo Research & Innovation Park (GRIP) Master Plan was finished on June 30, 2008. Presentations were made to PRIDCO officials and other task force members and the final report was submitted to EDA as part of their $50,000 grant award requirement. This master plan calls for a redevelopment of

the existing Guanajibo Industrial Park and its transformation into a technological park first of its kind in Puerto Rico. The first phase, that will take 5 years, involve a $50 million investment. Among the most important elements of this phase are: a new building for the entrance of the park, a new multi level parking, a share services building, the relocation of VITEC2 to the Park, and a high rise office building. GRIP aims to attract local technology entrepreneurs and small to midsize international projects in IT, Aerospace and Life sciences.

Bioprocess Development & Training Complex Inauguration

www.prteconline.com

In this photo: Lockheed Martin IT Service Desk Team.

PRTEC’S MEDICAL DEVICE CLUSTER CELEBRATES ITS FIRST SUPPLY CHAIN SUMMITT

CAFTA Seminar Aerospace Vision Conference

Last August 13, 2008 The Puerto Rico Technoeconomic Corridor’s Medical Devices Cluster celebrated their first Supply Chain Summit. The activity was also sponsored by entities such as PRIDCO, APICS, PRIMEX, PRSDC, SWIA, DISUR, and PRMA. There were about 15 MD companies represented including: Roche, Medtronic, Heraus, Baxter, Covidien, LifeScan, Integra, Boston Scientific, St. Jude Medical, AMO, Edwards, Medisearch among others. Also over 30 suppliers participated as exhibitors. The congress took place in Ponce Hilton and more then 200 industry representatives participated. The activity was organized by the MD Cluster Supply Chain Team lead by Sobeida Irizarry (VP Finance-Essilor Industries). The Agenda included presentations about Best Practices in Supply Chain management, a summary of the new PR Incentives Law, and the status of the new multi sector supply chain survey. As part of the Byers Week, 21 buyers from 13 different companies were recognized with a commemorative plaque. Ballet Salsa del Sur provided entertainment at the end of the activity.

On September 26, 2008 PRIDCO carried out the Second Aerospace Vision Conference with the participation of leaders from the aerospace sector, suppliers, academia and regional development entities. The Conference took place at the Bioprocess Plant at the Guanajibo Research & Innovation Park, and included presentations from various companies/entities like: CA Spalding, Intuitive Research, Cascade Technologies, Honeywell, Infotech, Florida Turbine, Lockheed Martin, Hamilton Sundstrand and Boeing. The activity also included a poster session highlighting R&D projects taken place at the various universities around the island in the aerospace field.

As part of the conference, a group that included representatives from the Navy Research Centers, the Department of Defense, Boeing, Cascade Technologies, Sky Aerospace, Pacific Scientific and others visited VITEC2. During the visit PRTEC, HIPR, FTT and UPRM made presentations on the capabilities that Puerto Rico and in particular the western region offers to the aerospace industry.

Finally and wrapping up all the activities some of the participants of the Conference including our very own Nelson Perea participated in a Golf-Get Together Saturday morning at the Club Deportivo del Oeste.

The SBTDC Export Division in collaboration with PRTEC, PRMA, SWIA, and the Western Region Chamber of Commerce organized a CAFTA Seminar to inform participants of the many opportunities related to this regional trade agreement between The United States, Dominican Republic and the countries of

Central America. Over 100 participants attended the half day forum. The main topics included were: Get to Know CAFTA-DR, Mayagüez Port: Connection to CAFTA, Free Zone: Tools to Competitiveness, Regional Transportation: threats and opportunities, The New PR Incentives Law, State and Federal Programs, Successful Business Experiences with Dominican Republic.

New Incentives Law Presentation On June 26, 2008 The Local Board of the Mayagüez Consortium in collaboration with PRTEC and the Southwestern Industrial Association (SWIA) organized a forum of the New Incentive Law an its impact in the Economic Development of the island. The main speakers were: Amaya Iraolagoita and Zenia Vélez. The activity took place at the Pampa’s Restaurant in Mayagüez, PR.

In this photo: Jorge Cabrera, SWIA President, Nelson Perea, PRTEC’s Executive Director and Sergio Seligman, President of Local Board of Mayagüez - Las Marías Consortium.

In this photo: Nelson Perea, PRTEC’s Exceutive Director, Sobeida Irizarry, Suply Chain Group Leader, Ida Rosario, Finance Administrative Assistant, Anedliz Rivera and Aurelis Cruz, PRTEC’s staff members.

PRTEC in the News

PRTEC Board of Directors

President Norma Mejía

Vice-President Hon. Carlos Delgado

Treasurer Abdón Ruiz

Secretary Ana E. Cuebas

PRMA representative Erick Santiago

SWIA representative Jorge Cabrera

Medical Devices Cluster Representative Miguel Centeno

Aerospace Cluster Representative Vicente Nazario

CCOPR Representative José Justiniano

Academia representatives

Dr. Jorge I. Vélez

Dr. Luis García Feliú

Government representatives

Michael Nazario

Jaime Durand

Management team Executive Director Nelson Perea

VITEC2 Managing Director Héctor M. Carlo

Chief Promotions Officer & Executive Assistant Anedliz Rivera

Accounting Officer & Special Projects Aurelis Cruz

Affiliated Organizations

Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association

Northwest, Southwest and Mayagüez-Las Marías WIA Consortiums

Ports Authority

Movimiento Mayagüezano Pro Desarrollo del Oeste

Nov. 1 - ACCER Forum at the Cultural Center in Mayagüez.

Nov. 12 - Renewable Energy Forum at the College of Engineers and Surveyors.

Nov. 13 - IT & Automation Forum at Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan.

Nov. 14 - Purchasing Best Practices at Cooper Vision, Juana Díaz

Next Activities

PRTEC goes to FACEBOOK Following the new marketing tendencies, PRTEC created our customized web page in Facebook. Its a informal method of promotion, a good way to keep the contacts aware of new activities and a nice manner to share photos and videos with fans.

Follow this link and become a fan.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayaguez/Corredor-Tecnoeconomico-de-PR-

PRTEC/23247312298?ref=mf

PRTEC is a non-profit organization committed to create a collaborative environment between private industry, government and the academia to promoted the economic development of the western region of Puerto Rico with a focus on innovation and high tech industries.