Caribbean policymakers gather in Bahamas

(CNS): Cayman 27's News Director, Ben Meade, was among more than 100 public and private sector policymakers from around the Caribbean gathered in The Bahamas this week to look at sustainable solutions for economic and population growth in the region. Several topics pertinent to development in small island-nations were discussed, including Enhancing the Logistics and Connectivity of the Caribbean, Improving the Investment Climate in the Caribbean, and the Political Economy of Growth in the Caribbean in Times of Limited Choices. a release from the local TV station said that Meade attended a 24-25 June Caribbean Growth Forum regional workshop as a specially-invited guest of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

“You have been selected based on your stellar track record of forums such as this; your wide reach and strong roots in the Caribbean and the ability to disseminate accurate, timely and salient information to a diversified audience,” stated an invitation from the organisers.

“I think this is a great opportunity to take stock of where we are in the Cayman Islands compared to what some of our neighbours in the Caribbean are doing. I am looking forward to assessing the wins and losses of other jurisdictions and see what lessons can be learned from a Cayman context,” said Mr. Meade.

Attending the gathering were government leaders, business leaders and officials from several multinational agencies like the IDB, World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, Caribbean Export Development Agency and the United Kingdom Department for International Development.

“The topics being discussed will have an impact on the lives of everyone but the message often gets lost in the jargon of government officials and technocrats. It is important that the media is involved in this dialogue to help better get the information out to the wider community in a format they can understand,” Meade added.

Cayman 27 will air a series of special reports on development issues addressed at the two-day meeting.