THE UNIVERSITY OF the West Indies and the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services have agreed to work towards the establishment of the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Financial Services.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Bahamas’ Minister of Financial Services Ryan Pinder during the third Caribbean Conference on the International Financial Services Sector, hosted by The Caribbean Export Development Agency in the Bahamas.
“Based upon over three decades of experience in providing professional certification and expertise in the financial services sector, the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services is eminently placed to provide the level of international credibility to the centres offerings, this in conjunction with the University of the West Indies places the region in a extremely advantageous position to strengthen and advocate on behalf of a sector so critical to the region’s overall economic development,” he said.
Pinder said officials at the conference endorsed the agreement.
“To be able to bring our talents to a regional level for human capital development, is certainly a paramount goal of the region through the leadership and direction of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, for me I am very proud to make this announcement today,” he said.
According to Pinder, the Centre of Excellence was also given the nod by governments across the region.
In endorsing the proposed establishment of the Centre of Excellence, Barbados’ international business Minister Donville Inniss said this symbolizes a new level of commitment to facilitating growth in the sector.
“Our meetings have highlighted the importance of the financial services to our various economies and the need for us to work in a stronger collaborated manner. Many of these challenges that confront us, emanate from outside the region, but we have a wonderful opportunity now to seize the opportunities that present themselves and to run forward with them. I’m sensing a renewed level of energy and a renewed level of energy and commitment to work across the Caribbean Sea to ensure that we fully understand the challenges . . .,” Inniss said. (PR/NB)
