PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Business leaders from the western hemisphere began a two-day meeting here on Wednesday against the backdrop of a global economic crisis that is showing no signs of abating and calls for closer collaboration to ensure the future prosperity of the Americas.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning, OAS Secretary General José Miquel Insulza and Ernesto Gutiérrez, president of the Private Sector of the Americas, used the opening ceremony to highlight the plight facing millions of people in the western hemisphere.

Recommendations from the two-day meeting will go forward to the 34 leaders from the hemisphere who will gather here April 17-19 for their fifth summit.

Prime Minister Manning said the leaders, including United States President Barack Obama, will try to build a collective vision for the Americas.