Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, has challenged\u00a0 the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to be more aggressive in its approach to helping\u00a0 Grenada and other CDB member states address developmental challenges.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister on Tuesday had an introductory virtual call with the new CDB\u00a0 President\u00a0Dr. Hyginus \u201cGene\u201d Leon and senior members of his team.<\/p>\n
In a conversation that was punctuated with light banter, but which addressed several\u00a0\u00a0critical issues, the Prime Minister also called for more innovation in the execution of the\u00a0\u00a0CDB\u2019s mandate.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cThese are tough times for the region and the CDB and its personnel have to\u00a0\u00a0become even more innovative in serving member states. It cannot be business as usual\u00a0\u00a0in this time of crisis. The pandemic has created enormous challenges but it has also\u00a0\u00a0opened up immense opportunities and we must find a way to harness these for the benefit\u00a0\u00a0of the region\u2019s development.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Mitchell, who has served on the CDB Board of Governors in the past, said from his\u00a0\u00a0experience, the bank tends to be too bureaucratic and when dealing with the\u00a0\u00a0bureaucracies of regional governments, this compounds the problem.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister referenced the fact that Grenada has been seeking the bank\u2019s support\u00a0\u00a0for an assessment of hazards across the country for many years, particularly as it relates\u00a0\u00a0to loosened boulders rolling down from hillsides and posing a threat to motorists and\u00a0\u00a0others.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cIf those who sit at the top do not change the structure and demand\u00a0\u00a0accountability, it may not happen. I don\u2019t think we challenge ourselves enough in terms\u00a0\u00a0of addressing the bureaucracy. We are too settled in our own comfort zones while there\u00a0\u00a0are many people suffering, waiting for us to create opportunities that can help them. I\u00a0\u00a0therefore challenge the bank to act more aggressively in delivering on its mandate.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister expressed full confidence that Dr. Leon, with his extensive experience\u00a0\u00a0at the International Monetary Fund, will serve the CDB and the region well.<\/p>\n
Dr. Leon for his part, thanked the Grenadian leader and his OECS counterparts for rallying\u00a0\u00a0behind his nomination and placing immense trust and confidence in him.<\/p>\n
Pledging his full commitment to the task ahead, Dr. Leon, like the Prime Minister, spoke\u00a0\u00a0on the subject of innovation. He said, \u201cI hope I will have the full cooperation of all members\u00a0\u00a0as we work together to advance the CDB and the region. In the next 50 years when we\u00a0\u00a0look back, we should be able to say definitively, that the CDB made a difference. The\u00a0\u00a0institution must be adaptable, nimble and responsive to the needs of members and it must\u00a0\u00a0communicate better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Citing what he termed the reticence and frustration of Caribbean leaders with respect to\u00a0\u00a0the CDB, the new President said, \u201cI want to rebuild, reset and start a new stage where\u00a0\u00a0we can genuinely say this is our institution. I want to be able to speak freely to leaders to\u00a0\u00a0see how we can make the bank a genuine instrument to advance regional development.\u00a0\u00a0I want to see even greater participation in our annual meeting as we chart the three<\/p>\n
dimensional approach to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic \u2013 immediate rescue,\u00a0\u00a0recovery and longer term development issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Leon identified some broad areas for collaboration including infrastructure,\u00a0\u00a0vulnerability to climate change and generating more growth through economic\u00a0\u00a0diversification. He looks forward to active engagement with regional countries in\u00a0\u00a0crystalising elements of the bank\u2019s next strategic plan and how countries can maximise\u00a0\u00a0the benefits derived from the regional financial institution.<\/p>\n
The cordial discussion ended with consensus on strengthening the bank\u2019s relationship\u00a0\u00a0with Grenada. In closing Dr. Mitchell said, \u201cThe region needs us all. This concept of unity\u00a0\u00a0and going forward together is crucial to what we want to achieve for the entire region.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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