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President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. Warren Smith highlighted the strides made by the CDB over the past five decades. 

Past leaders of CDB thanked

PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Dr. Warren Smith while highlighting the strides made by the Bank over the past five decades to assist in the socio-economic development of the region, also highlighted the critical role played by past leaders of that regional institution.

Dr. Smith paid tribute to this distinguished group during a service of thanksgiving held at the Frank Collymore Hall on Sunday evening as the CDB celebrates its 50th anniversary.

According to Dr. Smith, “From its conception and in its early years of operation, this institution has been blessed with leaders and a cadre of staff who have been dedicated to our mission.”

“Four past Presidents – Sir Arthur Lewis, William Demas, Sir Neville Nicholls and Professor Compton Bourne – provided the solid foundation for the CDB which I inherited in 2011, when I became President. Today, I pay tribute to their legacy.”

He highlighted that Sir Neville, who attended the thanksgiving service, was a member of the Barbados delegation that participated in the inter-governmental meetings held to discuss the draft Agreement for establishing the Bank.  

“He also represented Barbados on the Preparatory Committee that made the arrangements for CDB's establishment after the draft Agreement had been accepted by the Third Ministerial level Meeting. As a member of staff of the CDB, I had the good fortune of Sir Neville’s tutelage during his presidency and prior to that, when he served as Vice President of Operations. 

“Desmond Brunton and Mr. Neville Grainger, two outstanding Vice Presidents, are also present this evening. A number of us in the current staff and leadership of CDB benefited from their knowledge and experience when they worked with the Bank and we continue to draw on their wisdom, to this day,” Dr. Smith said.

The CDB president also paid tribute to the many people who joined CDB on the five decade long journey. “Our member states; our growing network of developments partners and cooperating institutions; the CARICOM Secretariat and our sister institutions in the Region; and the dedicated, loyal Management and staff of CDB, both past and present.”

The service of thanksgiving featured remarks from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the CDB Kevin Peter Turnquest.

The message was delivered by Bishop of Barbados the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell. Prayers of thanksgiving were delivered by Chairman of the Barbados Christian Council Major Darrell Wilkinson; former CDB Vice President of Operations P. Desmond Brunton and Reverend Michael Gonsalves Deacon of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, There was also a reading from the Bhagavad Gita by Mukesh Chugani, Education Coordinator, Sathya Sai International Organisation of Barbados and the Suleiman Bulbulia, Muslim Chaplain of the UWI Cave Hill.

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