Regional Central Bank Governors to Hold Public Discussion on Post-COVID Economic Recovery

For the first time, four regional central bank Governors will take part in a joint public event that will see them discuss how the Caribbean can rebound after COVID-19. The forum, dubbed “COVID and Economic Policy: Protecting Jobs, Businesses, and the Economy”, takes place on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. and will be broadcast and livestreamed across the Caribbean.

During the 90-minute forum, the governors – Timothy Antoine of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; Richard Byles of Bank of Jamaica; Dr. Gobind Ganga of Bank of Guyana, and Central Bank of Barbados Governor Cleviston Haynes – will tackle issues related to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group will engage with veteran Caribbean journalist, Julian Rogers, who will moderate the event, and they will also take questions from viewers across the region.

“COVID-19 has been a truly disruptive event,” said Governor Haynes, the host of the event. “Even as we continue to deal with the public health issues, we have to address the economic impact, which affects us all. We’re being faced with major unemployment, curfews and shutdowns that have brought business activity to a halt, and increased Government spending on healthcare. In this forum, we want to discuss the way forward for jobs, businesses and the overall economy. I am truly delighted that my regional counterparts are sharing the platform with me for these critical discussions.”

Haynes made it clear that the event will not just be for policymakers and academics. “This crisis has affected us all. The discussion about how we recover from it has to include us all. We are inviting Caribbean people from all walks of life to not only tune in, but also to participate.”

The Governor revealed that viewers from across the region will be able to pose their questions to him and his colleagues via telephone, email, social media, and WhatsApp. “We want to hear from our citizens, their issues and their ideas. We encourage Caribbean people from Georgetown in Guyana to Kingston, Jamaica to join us.”

“COVID and Economic Policy: Protecting Jobs, Businesses, and the Economy” is the first of several online Caribbean Economic Forums the Central Bank of Barbados will be hosting this year. The event is the virtual spinoff of the in-person event the Bank hosts annually.