There is a promise from Government to further enhance the long-standing relationship with the Inter-American Development Bank that has seen the island benefit from development financing and technical support in various areas.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ryan Straughn gave this undertaking recently during a courtesy call with the IDB’s Country Representative, Viviana Alva Hart, and Country Economist, Cloe Ortiz de Mendivil, at Government Headquarters.
During the talks, the two officials discussed a range of issues, including financing for Government’s ongoing road works programme, the efficient execution and management of projects, the need for a Temporary Employment Programme for persons living in vulnerable households and a part two to the Skills for the Future Programme.
Mrs. Alva Hart noted that both sides needed to work more closely on projects, and proposed that an analysis of plans from conception to procurement be initiated by the IDB, as a means of speeding up the process.
Minister Straughn added that the Ministry was committed to working through the issues to “get the projects done” to stimulate economic activity.
He also added that the Skills for the Future Programme was an important one, as it allowed citizens to compete more competitively in a post-COVID-19 environment and on the international stage.