The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, in conjunction with the Caribbean Economic Research Team (CERT), will host the 51st Annual Monetary Studies Conference. The conference will be held over the period Tuesday, November 19 to Thursday, November 21, 2019 at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Headquarters, Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, West Indies.

The theme of the Conference is Socioeconomic Transformation in the Caribbean: Policy Implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution. A number of sub-themes have also been included to guide the deliberations of the Conference and to provide avenues for meaningful dialogue between regional and international policy-makers. The broad sub-themes, which will help determine the final Conference programme, are as follows:

1. Economic Growth, Innovation and Development
2. Fiscal and Debt Policy
3. New Considerations for Monetary Policy
4. Financial Sector Stability and Emerging Technology
5. Climate Change, Central Banking and Risk Management
6. Transportation, Trade, Investment and Competitiveness
7. Poverty, Inequality and Financial Exclusion
8. Public Policy and Governance
9. Financial Technology: Supporting Regional Transformation.

Authors wishing to participate in this year’s conference are invited to submit their abstracts and completed papers as outlined below.  Please indicate whether you will be willing to act as a discussant. 

Participants should provide the following information by the dates indicated:

• The name(s) of the person(s) likely to participate
• Abstract(s) of the paper(s) must include the title of the paper(s) and sent in by Friday September 6, 2019.
• Forward papers to the host Bank, via email in Microsoft Word format by Friday October 11, 2019.
This must be submitted to Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and to the following email addresses:

Shernnel.thompson@eccb-centralbank.org

Rochelle.harris@eccb-centralbank.org

Waverley.Paul@eccb-centralbank.org

Kareem.martin@eccb-centralbank.org

jjhinkoo@central-bank.org.tt.

Please note that the ECCB will be hosting a day of social activities for the AMSC 2019 participants on Friday November 22, 2019.

Should you require further details, please contact Ms. Patricia Welsh, Acting Director, Research Department at Patricia.welsh@eccb-centralbank.org or at RD_CORE@eccb-centralbank.org.

We look forward to your participation in this year’s conference.

CERT Secretariat
Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
Eric Williams Plaza, Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad , Trinidad and Tobago
Postal Address : P.O. Box 1250
Telephone: (868) 621-2288; 235-2288; Fax: (868) 627-4696 Telex: 22532; 22386
E-mail Address: certsecretariat@central-bank.org.tt

25 July 2019, Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis – The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) launched the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) Public Debt and Market Information Web Portal during a regional media conference held on 23 July at the ECCB Headquarters, Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis. 

This initiative, an important deliverable in the ECCB Strategic Plan 2017-2021, marked another milestone in the Bank’s ongoing enterprise to build out a financial market infrastructure within the ECCU that is fit for a modern, strong and diversified financial system.

In collaboration with Member Governments and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the ECCB developed the Public Debt and Market Information Web Portal out of a desire to ensure that the public has accurate and timely information available to make informed decisions. Potential users include:

• an investor considering the purchase of government security;
• a credit rating agency assessing the creditworthiness of a government;
• a regional or international financial institution undertaking surveillance;
• academics and students carrying out research; and
• Media practitioners seeking current and accurate information from a credible source.

Another critical objective of this initiative is to broaden the investor base for the Regional Government Securities Market (RGSM), a major component of the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market. 

The ECCB recognises that information is a public good and that the dissemination of relevant and timely information is an essential element in the transformation of the ECCU.

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About the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) was established in October 1983. The ECCB is the Monetary Authority for: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Media Contact: Ingrid O’Loughlin, Senior Director, Corporate Relations Department

Phone: (869) 465-2537 | Fax: (869) 465-9562

E-mail: info@eccb-centralbank.org | Website: www.eccb-centralbank.org

Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, 28 June 2019 - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has recorded a net profit of $32.7 million for the 2018-2019 financial year.

This third consecutive year of profit exceeds last year’s profit by $21.9 million or 204.0 per cent. The Bank’s Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2019, which was published on 28 June, indicates that the profit was due primarily to an increase in interest income on foreign reserve assets.

Governor of the ECCB, Timothy N. J. Antoine said, “The new financial year 2019/2020 will see us forging ahead with on going and new initiatives under the Strategic Plan with a focus on continuing our modernisation thrust.” 

During the new financial year, the ECCB will continue to implement a number of programmes as set out in its 2017-2021 Strategic Plan including:

1. Implement the Digital Currency Pilot Project
2. Enhance security and durability of EC notes through the issue of polymer notes
3. Licence a credit bureau operator for the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union
4. Deploy the ECCU Public Debt and market Information webpages
5. Support the development of a Digital Economy Project for the ECCU in collaboration with the World Bank; and
6. Complete Phases I and II of the Greening of the ECCB Campus Project.

The ECCB 2018-2019 Annual Report is available on the Bank’s website.

Independent Auditors' Report and Financial Statements

Full Annual Report and Statement of Accounts

Governor's Foreword - ECCB Annual Report 2018/2019 - Video | Text

Media Contact: Ingrid O’Loughlin, Senior Director, Corporate Relations Department

Phone: (869) 465-2537 | Fax: (869) 465-9562

E-mail: info@eccb-centralbank.org | Website: www.eccb-centralbank.org

25 June 2019, Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has engaged the services of a marketing and strategic communication firm to conduct an assessment of its communication, public education and community outreach programmes.

(Please click this link to participate in the survey: https://forms.gle/niiV4fWddx9qBSS66)

Right Angle Imaging, based in Saint Lucia, is conducting the assessment which targets citizens and residents of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union aged 14 – 60.  The survey seeks to:

1. measure the target audience’s level of awareness of and attitude, perception and  behaviour towards the ECCB; 
2. assess the reach and impact of the Bank’s communication, public education  and community outreach initiatives; 
3. assess the target audience’s information needs and media habits;  
4. determine target audience’s interest in receiving information on the role, function and work of the Bank; and
5. obtain information on how the ECCB could improve its programmes and engagement with the public, including the media.

The assessment will include the administration of an online and face-to-face questionnaire, interviews and focus groups. The results will guide the development of a comprehensive communication strategy and inform the development of strategies to increase the effectiveness of the Bank’s public education, community outreach and communication programmes. It will also provide information to help to guide the work of the Bank and the development of programmes to better serve the people of the region.

Right Angle Imaging has been the provider of strategic communication, research, media and social marketing services in the Eastern Caribbean since 1999. Its clientele includes a diverse mix of public, private sector and not-for-profit agencies.

Please click this link to participate in the survey: https://forms.gle/niiV4fWddx9qBSS66

Media Contact: Ingrid O’Loughlin, Senior Director, Corporate Relations Department

Phone: (869) 465-2537 | Fax: (869) 465-9562

E-mail: info@eccb-centralbank.org | Website: www.eccb-centralbank.org

14 June 2019, Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis – Five netball teams from across the OECS will compete for the first Gloria Ballantyne Championship Trophy in the inaugural OECS/ECCB International Netball Series, which will be held in St Vincent and the Grenadines from
15 – 21 June.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), in collaboration with the OECS Commission, the Caribbean Netball Association and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association, will host the OECS/ECCB International Netball Series under the theme: Excellence and Empowerment Through Sports.  This Series replaces the OECS/ECCB Under-23 Netball tournament, which the ECCB sponsored from 1991-2018.

The ECCB’s sponsorship of the OECS/ECCB International Netball Series demonstrates the Bank’s vision of fostering regional integration and its commitment to the overall development and empowerment of the region’s women through sports.

Governor of the ECCB, Timothy N. J. Antoine said: “The ECCB remains fully committed to the development of our young women through the sport of netball. After 28 years of sponsorship, our Bank is pleased to help take the sport to a higher level through enhanced support for the launch of the International Netball Series.” 

The OECS/ECCB International Netball Series will provide the participating teams with the opportunity to play international netball matches and gain world netball ranking. It will also highlight elite netballers in the OECS on the international platform and establish pathways for OECS netballers to enhance their competence in the sport.

The Series will commence with the Official Opening Ceremony on 15 June, following which teams Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines will compete for netball supremacy at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex. The championship trophy is named in honour of Gloria Ballantyne of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who has been influential in regional netball for several decades.

The netballers will also participate in a developmental session on the theme: Charting a Course: A Financial Guide for Women. Villette Browne, Managing Director of the KP Group of companies in St Vincent and the Grenadines, will conduct the session. They will also have the opportunity to engage in discussion with the netball officials about the future of the sport in the region.

Visit the ECCB Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ECCBConnects/) for daily updates on the matches throughout the tournament.

Click here to view promo

Media Contact: Ingrid O’Loughlin, Senior Director, Corporate Relations Department

Phone: (869) 465-2537 | Fax: (869) 465-9562

E-mail: info@eccb-centralbank.org | Website: www.eccb-centralbank.org