Governor Antoine's 2019 Christmas Message
View Governor Antoine's Message
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9.6, KJV)
Fellow citizens and residents of the ECCU, it is, for most of us, the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is a unique celebration of faith, family, love and hope.
As part of our celebration, the ECCB Campus has been transformed into festive home by day and a Christmas park by night. What a spectacle!
Our motivation is to recognize the Christ of Christmas; to celebrate our ECCB family and to bring some Christmas cheer to the community in which we live.
As we reflect on the year soon ending, we readily acknowledge the many challenges facing our Currency Union. These include the existential threat of our climate crisis, the ongoing threat of loss of correspondent banking relations and high unemployment among our youth.
These challenges, notwithstanding, we are thankful that our beautiful isles were spared this past hurricane season. This year, our Currency Union is set to record solid growth of about 3.3 per cent. Throughout the year, we vigourously pursued our Transformation Agenda including, inter alia:
- The launch of the first phase of our Digital Currency Pilot;
- The launch of polymer notes; and
- The completion of phase I of our Campus Greening Programme (solar carport).
We thank you for your prayers and support.
As we look ahead to 2020, an exciting year beckons. Three of the Bank’s key priorities will be financial stability, digital transformation and climate resilience. At this moment, we project growth of about 3.5 per cent.
So, from my family and me, to you, Monetary Council, Board, management, staff, retirees, local, regional and international partners and the citizens and residents of the ECCU, Merry Christmas!
May 2020 be a year of peace and prosperity for you.
