Regional Private Sector Consultative Group Inaugurated
Basseterre, St Kitts, July 10, 2003 The Private Sector Consultative Group established by the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank held its inaugural meeting today, July 10, 2003, at the ECCB Headquarters in St Kitts. The Group was formed in an attempt to ensure inclusion of a private sector perspective in economic policy formulation and financial sector development at the regional level. During a brief opening ceremony, Dr the Hon Denzil Douglas Prime Minister of Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis and a Council member noted that the greatest challenge to the region in the attempt to stimulate the economies was attainment of the levels of competitiveness required to secure survival in the new global economy. The decision to establish the Private Sector Consultative Group reflected an acceptance of the need for ongoing deliberations between the governments as the facilitators of the productive process, and the private sector, the producers of goods and services. In welcoming the establishment of the Private Sector Consultative Group, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Sir K Dwight Venner told the members that it was their responsibility to help the Bank to appreciate the challenges faced by the private sector to enable the formulation and implementation of appropriate policies. The group is comprised of representatives from ECCU member countries, with expertise in the sectors considered critical to the process of economic transformation. These are agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, distribution, construction, accounting, law, and information technology, as well as the trade Unions. The Private Sector Consultative Group is slated to meet twice per year.
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
P O Box 89, Basseterre,
St. Kitts
Contact Person: Elizabeth Tempro, Director, Corporate Relations Department
Phone: (869) 465-2537
Fax: (869) 466-2873
Email: eccbinfo@caribsurf.com
