By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

International experts will be presenting papers on their respective fields of expertise during the final two days of the Economic Symposium scheduled from Feb. 19 to 23.
Among the featured international experts to speak during the symposium are Dr. Wali Osman, Senior Economist of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior.
Phillip Erquiga, Director General, Pacific Department of the Asian Development Bank, will lead off the plenary session on economy from And Mr. Joji Morishita, Director for international Affairs Division, Fisheries Agency of Japan.
The featured speakers during the last two days of the symposium are: Patrick McFadden, VP/Account Executive, Merrill Lynch; Mr. James Rice, Managing Director, K2 International; followed by Messrs. Joji Morishita and Len Rodwell, Director of Development, Forum Fisheries Agency who both will speak on maximizing economic returns from harvesting of tuna resources in Palau’s 200-mile EEZ.
Oil and Mineral resources exploration will be addressed in late afternoon of Feb. 22 by the following: Dr. Rozlan Taha, VP, Exploration & Product, Terraliance Technologies, Inc.; Mr. Colin Ford, Senior Geologist, Terralliance Technologies, Inc.; and Dr. John Feenan, Director & Chief Operating Officer, Neptune Minerals.
Guest speakers from outside Palau will continue the presentations on Feb. 23.
The plenary session will still be on economy and theairline industry and its role in economic development will be the agenda.
Mr. Wally Dias, Staff VP Sales & Marketing, Continental Airlines; Mr. Shunzo Shiina, VP, Industry Affairs Division, Japan Airlines; and Mr. Hans Tu, Palau Station Manager, Fareastern Airlines; President of Kyowa Shipping Co., Ltd. Mr. Hiromitsu Takamatsu will speak on the role of shipping industry in Palau’s economic development are the speakers.
On the topic of the environment , Mr. Frank Schnidman, Senior Fellow, Center for Urban Development Solutions, Florida Atlantic University; Mr. David Schaller, Sustainable Development Coordinator, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). His Excellency Mr. Matthew S. Lee, Ambassador of Republic of China (Taiwan) to Palau will be the luncheon speaker. After lunch presenters still on environment include Mr. Mike Uyehara, Guujaw, President of Haida Nations; Mr. Art Sterritt, Executive Director, Coastal First Nations -Turning Point Initiative.
Plenary session on society begins with Professor Sitaleki Ata’ata Finau, Director, Pasifika@Massy Strategy, whose topic is the Future Health Trends in the Pacific Islands. Dr. Patrick U. Tellei, PdD, President of Palau Community College (PCC) will speak on higher education in Palau. And the last plenary speaker on security is Mr. Tom Berkemeyer, Director, Corporate, Security, Safety and Environment, Continental Airlines whose talk will be on airline security and its impact on Palau’s economy.