WASHINGTON, DC--Axel van Trotsenburg, an economist and development expert with over thirty years of experience at the World Bank Group who was appointed Vice President (VP) for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) effective February 1, addressed the regional conference titled Digital Economy Moonshot for the Eastern Caribbean (see related story) on Thursday afternoon, saying, “We are very eager to work with you by offering strong financial and technical support.”
The two-day conference, which began Thursday, is taking place at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group headquartered in Washington, DC.
Seated next to the VP for LAC, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris responded, “We look forward to your strong support to the region, not just on the matter of digital development, but also with respect to climate change and other important developmental issues.”
The prime minister added, “We are committed to act, not just individually, but we are committed to act as a region. We have a single space, a treaty and a Central Bank in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. We also have one of the world’s strongest currencies and this shows what working together can achieve.
The two-day Digital Economy Conference has brought together policy makers and technical teams from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as representatives of the World Bank, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority ECTEL, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and international companies. They are exploring ways to advance the services within the digital economy throughout the Eastern Caribbean. This consultative process will help inform an action plan for a regional project to be supported by the World Bank.
During her opening remarks, Director for the Caribbean Region at the World Bank, Tahseen Sayed said, “I am really grateful to Timothy Antoine, the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank for not only igniting our excitement in the [World – Ed.] Bank, but also leading the charge. This conference was organised thanks to Governor Antoine.”
Addressing the conference participants on Thursday morning, the ECCB governor said, “When we look back at this conference 10 years from now, we will say this was a pivotal moment.”
