Bahamas Information Services Updates
Bahamas to host the CDB’s 40th Annual Board of Governors Meeting
Feb 18, 2010 - 3:46:22 PM

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Bahamas will host the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) 40^th Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting the week of May 16-21 at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.

The CDB was established by an Agreement signed on October 18, 1969, in Kingston, Jamaica, and entered into force on January 26, 1970.

The Bank came into existence for the purpose of contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of the member countries in the Caribbean and promoting economic cooperation and integration among them, having special and urgent regard to the needs of the less developed members of the region.

Dr Sharon Marshall, Information Officer, CDB explained that the Bank has a very special relationship with The Bahamas.

“The very first meeting of the Board of Governors was held in The Bahamas, and at 10-year intervals, The Bahamas very regularly hosts the meetings,” Dr Marshall said.

The Meeting will bring in delegates from the Bank’s 17 borrowing member countries as well as donors from around the world.

The first scheduled event will be the Board of Directors Meeting on Monday, May 17.

The annual meeting of contributors to the Bank’s Special Development Fund, which is a concessionary fund for the borrowing members, will be held Tuesday, May 18.

Other events include the William G. Demas Memorial Lecture and the opening ceremony for the Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting on Wednesday, May 19.

The CDB will also host a youth forum called Vybzing Bahamas on Thursday, May 20.

Angela Parris, Manager, Information Services Unit, CDB explained that the main objective of Vybzing is to sensitize the youth about CDB’s mandate, role and function to young people in the Bank’s borrowing member countries.

They are also exposed to dynamic speakers on various topics and communicate on issues and challenges that are impacting their lives.

Ms Parris said the CDB in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture will host an essay and poster competition as part of Vybzing Bahamas.

The theme will be “Sustainable Agriculture for Regional Food Security” and it will be opened to all senior secondary school students throughout the country.

First place winners in both categories will have the chance to attend the Vybzing session in Nassau.

The first place winners in both competitions will win a netbook, second place winners will receive an IPOD Nano and third place winners will receive an IPOD Shuffle.  However, all participants will receive a prize, Ms Parris said.