The time for incremental change is over given the rapid changes taking place in the world, says newly appointed president of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Daniel Best.
Addressing the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s business luncheon yesterday at Hilton Barbados, he called on leaders, policymakers and business people to step up.
“The global landscape is shifting rapidly and we cannot afford to stand still. Our region’s resilience, our ability to thrive in the face of shocks, depends on bold, decisive action.
“It requires us to rethink, reimagine and rebuild the ecosystems that power our economies. This is not just about government policies and financial institutions. It is about a collective effort, the private sector, public sector, academia, multilaterals, civil society, every single one of us stepping up,” he added.
Private sector
Best, a former senior infrastructure and development advisor to the Office of the Prime Minister of Barbados, said the private sector should lead the charge, not just as an engine of economic growth and a driver of systemic change.
“We must break barriers,
unlock innovation and create an environment where businesses can thrive, where entrepreneurs can dream big and succeed right here in our region. This means pushing for the right policies, embracing new technologies and investing in the people who will shape our future.”
Earlier, Best said his tenure as CDB president will be driven by the mantra: “We will need to innovate, then transform to thrive”.
He said as it has done for the past 55 years, the CDB will continue to provide support to the region on development issues, but to do so will require it to “critically assess our operations, policies, procedures and systems, not just to meet our clients’ needs, but to exceed them”. (SAT)
