Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 20, 2015 (SKNIS): The representatives of the 27 member-states attending the 45th Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) were encouraged to undertake productive deliberations to assist in the development of the region.
 
Acting Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis His Excellency S.W. Tapley Seaton Q.C., delivered the welcome remarks.
 
“Each visit to our shores brings with it, the renewed opportunity for 27 member states to meaningfully brainstorm, canvas, debate and reflect on those issues that; have advanced us as a region, post formidable challenges to our development capacity and possess the potential to solidify our bonds and ripen the fruits of partnership that have been formed since the establishment of CDB,” he said.
 
Chairman of the Board of Governors of CDB, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris welcomed the participants and stated his government’s stance on being the host country.
“It is truly an honour for me and my new administration to host the 45th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the CDB and to ensure that the meeting is successful in achieving the set objectives,” Prime Minister Harris said. “I would like to propose, that the time spent over the next two days should also include serious reflection on the big picture as it relates to the development agenda for the future prosperity of our Caribbean.”
Over the course of the two-day meeting, the Board of Governors will discuss better air transport work better for the Caribbean, Youth Employment for Sustainable Development in the Caribbean, launch a Regional Public-Private Partnership (PPPs) Support Facility and  also discuss a Post Embargo Cuba – Economic implications for the Rest of the Caribbean.
One key pre-event of the Meeting was the William G. Demas lecture on “Rethinking Caribbean Logistics: Driving Forces, New Paradigms” held on Tuesday (May 19) at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) which featured an address by the noted Jamaican Professor, the Honourable Gordon Shirley, OJ.  A cultural evening will take place today (May 20), at Brimstone Hill followed by a tour to Nevis on Friday (May 22.)