BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 20 2015 – The 45th annual Board of Governors meeting of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) opened here Wednesday with a call for a clear vision for the development of the region.
Addressing the meeting, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris urged the CDB as well as other regional and international partners to support the efforts of the small states in the Caribbean to spur inclusive growth and job creation in order to reduce poverty and enhance the prospect for attaining prosperity well into the future.
“No development can take place on a sustainable basis when our people are at war with themselves. We must tackle this matter of crime and homicides head on,” Harris, who is chairing the two-day meeting told the delegates.
Harris, an economist, said that the current state of affairs in the global environment and the regional and national realities are all signalling that the Caribbean is at a critical cross road.
“Truth be told, time and externalities emanating from global events will not allow us to settle at the crossroad for too long without choosing a path. It is therefore fitting to pause for deep reflection…for us to consider how we will move forward in order to ensure sustainability of our fragile region and the long term prosperity of our nation states and indeed all our people”.
Under the theme, ‘Facilitating Growth: Transforming Regional Logistics Infrastructure and Encouraging Youth Entrepreneurship,’ the meeting brings together Governors, Directors and other representatives from the Bank’s 27 member countries.
During the event, CDB will release its Annual Report, Development Effectiveness Review and Special Development Fund Report which provide a comprehensive look at the Bank’s performance in 2014.
During the meeting, two major studies will be released entitled: ‘Making Air Transport Work Better for the Caribbean’ and ‘Youth are the Future: The Imperative of Youth Employment for Sustainable Development in the Caribbean.’ Two seminars exploring the findings will also be staged, with panelists drawn from civil society, public and private sector.
