Belize to host Caribbean Growth Forum Meeting

Next week, representatives from 14 Caribbean countries will come together in Belize City to take stock of key lessons learned from the hundred reform actions implemented through the Caribbean Growth Forum, and announce a Communique to move forward on their pro-growth agenda.

Belize is proud to host this meeting. This is an extraordinary opportunity for Caribbean nations to build on the results achieved so far by the Caribbean Growth Forum and enhance the competitiveness of our respective countries,” said the Honorable Tracy Panton, Minister of State – Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, Government of Belize.

During the meeting, countries will discuss and agree on how to create result based roadmaps to accelerate reforms and help track the implementation of actions linked to these reforms in the areas of investment climate, skills and productivity, and logistics and connectivity.

This event is an important milestone for member countries of the Caribbean Growth Forum. Together with our partner institutions, the World Bank is fully committed to supporting the sustainable development agenda that many Caribbean nations are pursuing and to identify innovative solutions that will generate growth, competitiveness and job creation,” said the World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean, Sophie Sirtaine.

“This initiative provides a real platform for Caribbean nations to accelerate progress made on reform actions and foster greater focus on results, transparency and accountability”.

DATE: Monday, February 29, 2016 – Wednesday, March 2, 2016
VENUE: Radisson Hotel, Belize City, Belize

PROGRAMME OPEN TO THE MEDIA:
• Launch of the second phase of the Caribbean Growth Forum (March 1, 9:30 -10:30) with Minister of State – Minister of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, Belize, Hon. Tracy Panton; Minister of Finance, Guyana, Hon. Winston Da Costa Jordan; World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean, Sophie Sirtaine; World Bank Senior Director for Trade & Competitiveness, Cecile Fruman; Caribbean Development Bank Representative, Ian Durant; and Inter-American Development Bank Country Representative, Belize, Cassandra Rogers. (Government of Belize Press Office Press Release)

Caribbean Growth Forum

The Caribbean Growth Forum (CGF) provides a platform for private sector and civil society to shape national reforms and help track the implementation of actions needed to spur sustainable growth and opportunities for the people of the Caribbean. The programme seeks to achieve a more accountable, transparent and inclusive dialogue between governments, the private sector and citizens. The initiative is facilitated by the World Bank Group (WBG) in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and with support from the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAid), Global Affairs Canada, the Italian Development Cooperation, the European Union, InfoDev, the Competitive Industries and Innovation Program, Caribbean Export, CARICOM Secretariat and the University of the West Indies.