The two-day conference titled “Addressing challenges to achieve a higher growth path in small open economies” organised by the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS) started in Willemstad. St. Maarten Governor Eugene Holiday and Finance Minister Michael Ferrier (both front row respectively second and fourth from right) were among those present. Keynote speaker Sebastian Acevedo (front row, far left) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said there is no “silver bullet” to realise growth in Caribbean countries, but a multi-faceted targeted approach can improve the region’s resilience. He suggested diversifying the energy mix to become less vulnerable to fuel price fluctuations, reducing the restrictions to financial inclusion and improving access to loan capital.
