Jamaica assumes Chair of CDB Board of Governors 2015-2016
Jamaica assumed the chairmanship of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Board of Governors today as the 45th Annual Meeting of the Bank’s Board ended in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis. The CDB’s 46th Annual Meeting is set for May next year in Jamaica. Representing Jamaica is Dr the Honourable Peter Phillips, Minister of Finance and Planning.
Mexico and the UK are Vice Chair, represented respectively on the Board of Governors by Mr. Luis Videgaray Caso, Secretary of Finance and Public Credit and the Rt. Hon. Justine Greening, MP Secretary of State for International Development.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Phillips said each Caribbean country was faced with formidable challenges, among them the effects of climate change, high indebtedness, tight fiscal space and low rates of saving.[su_box title=”Caribbean Development Bank” style=”soft” box_color=”#54c0f0″]The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), is a regional financial institution which was established by an Agreement signed on October 18, 1969, in Kingston, Jamaica, and entered into force on January 26, 1970. The Bank came into existence for the purpose of contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of the member countries in the Caribbean and promoting economic cooperation and integration among them, having special and urgent regard to the needs of the less developed members of the region (Article 1 of the Agreement establishing CDB). In the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the CDB is recognised as and Associate Institution of CARICOM[/su_box]
He also said the consequences of the recent Great Recession were still being felt among the small, vulnerable states of the Region.
The incoming chairman noted that because Caribbean countries had been classified as Middle Income States, it was unlikely that they would be considered for significant debt relief by multi-lateral agencies and developed countries, notwithstanding the heavy debt burden they were carrying. Yet without some form external economic support, he said, small island states would be overwhelmed.
He posited however that solutions can and must be found.
“The situation calls for more interaction with the international community…and the influence of the CDB should be brought to bear on the discussions…If these concerns are not addressed, urgently, then the social consensus, relative social stability and democratic conditions will be threatened.”
He congratulated CDB on the work it had done in development financing throughout the Region and on its commitment to internal governance reform.
Jamaica is a founding member of the CDB and shares the position of largest Regional shareholder with Trinidad and Tobago. The UK and Canada are the largest non-Regional shareholders. (Caribbean Development Bank Press Release)
Please see CDB ACCEPTANCE SPEECH MAY 21 2015HMC