Premier’s First Official Visit as Chairman of Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Board of Governors

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 4 February 2022) The Premier Honourable Charles Washington Misick as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank made an official visit to the Bank’s headquarters in Barbados on 3 - 4 February 2022.  

Accompanying the Premier on this visit was Deputy Premier and Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, Honourable Erwin Jay Saunders and Permanent Secretary of Finance, Mrs Athenee Harvey-Basden, Deputy Secretary for the Office of the Premier and Public Policy, Mr Miquel Swann and Mr Bentley Johnson Aide De Camp.  

This was the first official visit since accepting chairmanship in September last year. During this visit, the Premier met with the Bank’s President, Dr. Hyginus 'Gene' Leon and Strategic Advisory Team (SAT) where introductory discussions ensued to give an overview of TCI’s economic and financial position and to hear the Banks’ strategies and agendas for the financial year 2022/23. The Premier also met with the Operations Management Team, to discuss ongoing and potential technical assistance for the Turks and Caicos Islands and greeted general staff.  

Speaking on Chairmanship of the CDB Board of Governors, the Premier outlined climate justice, water, sewage and sanitation management and renewable energy as the priority areas of focus for the Caribbean region during his tenure as Chairman. 

 “As we look to the individual situations of the islands in the Caribbean Community, we ought never lose sight of the need for collaborative action. It is critical in forging innovative, sustainable and cost-effective solutions to regional challenges going forward.   

It is not enough to rely only on new technologies to tackle developmental challenges and global shocks, but dialogues, sharing best practices, collaborating on strategies and programmes that are inclusive, can be the difference in improving poor standards of living, tackling socio-economic issues and delivering equitable prosperity,” said Premier Misick. 

He further added, “I hope that my Chairmanship is one that cements us toward the elevation of the socio-economic standing of all our peoples and that with each successive passing of the baton we are able to ameliorate the challenges we face, break down the barriers to sustenance and self-actualization and enable a path that sees only a growth trajectory toward the vertical socio-economic mobilization of the peoples of our region.” 

While in Barbados, the Premier and Deputy Premier made an official visit to the Office of the newly re-elected Prime Minister for Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley.  

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government values its partnership with neighbouring countries in the region and welcomes the opportunity to form relationships that will aid the government in delivering best practice solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges.  

Further details as it relates to the Premier’s chairmanship, are to follow in a joint release from CDB and the Premier in the coming weeks.