Achieving measurable results with transparency and accountability in development projects was the focus of discussions when the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) hosted a workshop for 17 business development officials from around the Region. The Sub-Regional Workshop on Managing for Development Results (MfDR) ended on May 6 in Jamaica.

The attendees, who work at Cooperating Institutions of the Bank’s Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) Network, represented The Bahamas; Belize; Cayman Islands; Haiti; Jamaica; and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In order to meet the Bank’s requirements for measuring, monitoring and reporting on results, they learned how to better integrate MfDR in their work. MfDR is the management strategy used by development agencies around the world, which aims to improve transparency, accountability and effectiveness of results in global aid.

Having completed the Workshop, attendees are now better positioned to support CDB in strengthening the Region’s private sector through CTCS. CTCS connects business and technical experts with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that need consulting advice and assistance. In addition, Workshop attendees now have the knowledge and skills to train other MSME development partners in their respective countries.

Participants’ Feedback

The tools acquired in this workshop will definitely assist us in improving the effectiveness, and accountability for projects that are carried out. This workshop provided me with one basic but impactful outcome—projects are not just implementation, they are also about results,”saidNilda Riverol, Manager at the Small Business Development Centre Belize (SBDCBelize), BELTRAIDE.

It [the Workshop] covers a wide area and is very far reaching. It allows you to think of different ways in achieving the result,” added Helia Burkett, Manager at the National Development Foundation of Jamaica.

This Workshop follows a similar event in Barbados last year, in which 13 CDB Borrowing Member Countries participated. National workshops on MfDR are now being rolled out in these countries.

These workshops supports CDB’s fulfilment of its strategic objectives and corporate priorities of promoting private sector development and competitiveness and innovation, and adopting an MfDR approach to long-term planning. (CDB Press Release)