Developmental Challenges Facing the Caribbean
International Seminar Organized by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago and the International Monetary Fund
Trinidad Hilton Conference Centre
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
June 11- 12, 2004
The seminar brings together regional leaders of government, ministers, central bank governors, as well as regional and international experts, international organizations, bilateral donors, and business leaders, to discuss current economic and social challenges facing the Caribbean region. Topics include globalization, economic development, regional integration, stabilization, growth, poverty, health, and education. The seminar is open to the media and will include a press conference.
Friday, June 11, 2004
9:00 A.M. Registration
National Anthem
9:30 A.M Opening Session
Welcome Remarks
Ewart S. Williams, Governor
Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
9:45
Opening Remarks
Mr. Takatoshi Kato
Deputy Managing Director
International Monetary Fund
10:00
Feature Address
Honourable Patrick Manning
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Trinidad and Tobago
10: 40
Coffee Break
SESSION ONE
Are Caribbean Development Strategies in Need of Change?
Session Chair:
11:00
Presenter – Dr. Trevor Farrell, Senior Lecturer, University of the West Indies
11:30
Discussants
• Dr. Compton Bourne, President, Caribbean Development Bank
• Mr. David Abdullah, Trade Unionist, Trinidad and Tobago
• Professor C. Y. Thomas - University of Guyana
12:00
Questions and Answers
12:20
LUNCH
12:45
Luncheon Speaker – Mr. Anoop Singh, Director Western Hemisphere Department, International Monetary Fund
Friday June 11, 2004
P.M.
SESSION TWO
Sources of Growth and Competitiveness in the Caribbean
Session Chair :
1:45
Presenter – Sanjay Kathuria, Lead Economist, Latin America & Caribbean Region, Economic Policy Sector, World Bank
2:15
Discussants
• Dr. Arthur Lok Jack, Managing Director, Associated Brands
• Simon Johnson (MIT & IMF)
• Antonio Furtado, Division Chief, IMF
2:45
Questions and Answers
3:05
Coffee Break
SESSION THREE
Stabilization, Debt and Fiscal Policy in the Caribbean [PDF 336KB]
Session Chair :
3:30
Presenter – Ratna Sahay, Assistant Director, Western Hemisphere Department, IMF
4:00
Discussants
• Sir Dwight Venner, Governor, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
• Professor Nouriel Roubini, New York University
• Mr. Colin Bullock, Deputy Governor, Bank of Jamaica*
4:30
Questions and Answers
4:50
End of First Day of Conference
7:30
Eighteenth Dr. Eric Williams Memorial Lecture, 2004
Topic: HIV/AIDS: Challenges for the Caribbean
Feature Speaker – Sir George Alleyne – Chancellor, University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica and UN Ambassador for AIDS in the Caribbean
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Saturday June 12, 2004
A.M.
SESSION FOUR
Poverty and Poverty Alleviation in the Caribbean
Session Chair:
9:00
Presenter – Dr. Ralph Henry, Consultant, KAIRI Consultants
9:30
Discussants
• Dr. Eleanor Wint, Consultant Social Researcher, Caribbean Development Bank
• Mr. Clive Pantin, Chief Executive Officer, FEEL
• Dr. Vanus James, Consultant Economist, Jamaica
10:00
Question and Answers
SESSION FIVE
Reforming Education for Caribbean Development
10:20
Presenter – Professor Ken Julien, Chairman, Natural Gas Export Task Force
10:50
Discussants
• Dr. Myrna Bernard, Head - Human Resource Development, CARICOM
• Professor Errol Miller, UWI, Jamaica
• Ms. Michelle Fryer, Regional Education Specialist, Inter American Development Bank
11:20
Questions and Answers
11:40 - 12:00
COFFEE BREAK
SESSION SIX
Strengthening Financial Markets in the Caribbean
Session Chair:
12:25
Presenter – Mr. Ram Ramesh, General Manager and CEO, CMMB
12:55
Discussants
• David Robinson, Deputy Division Chief, WHD Department, IMF
• Dr. Marion Williams, Governor, Central Bank of Barbados
• Ms. Eutrice Carrington, Manager Investment Management Services, Trinidad & Tobago Unit Trust Corporation
1:25
Questions and Answers
1:45
LUNCH
2:00
Luncheon Speaker – Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie, Principal, UWIP.M.
SESSION SEVEN
Regional Economic Integration and Globalization
Session Chair :
3:10
Presenter – Professor V. Bulmer-Thomas, Royal Institute of International Affairs, United Kingdom
3:40
Discussants
• Prof. Norman Girvan, International Relations, UWI
• The Hon. Kenneth Valley, Minister of Trade, Trinidad & Tobago
• Prof. Arvind Panagariya, Columbia University, New York
• CARICOM Secretariat
4:10
Questions and Answers
FINAL SESSION
Panel Discussion:
The IFIs and the Caribbean: Going Forward
Mr. Jose Fajgenbaum, Deputy Director, Western Hemisphere Department, International Monetary Fund
Caroline Anstey, Country Director for the Caribbean, World Bank
Sir Dwight Venner, Governor, ECCB
Inter-American Development Bank
Edwin Carrington, Secretary General, CARICOM*
Dr. Marion Williams, Governor, Central Bank of Barbados
RECEPTION
*To be confirmed
For further information about this seminar please contact Lucie Mboto Fouda (lfouda@imf.org).