Prime Minister Freundel Stuart (front row, 4th from left) and Finance Minister, Christopher Sinckler (front row, 3rd from left) pose with Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Cleviston Haynes (front row, 6th from right) and awardees following the Bank’s 45th anniversary awards gala and dinner last Saturday. (C.Pitt/BGIS)
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart praised the Central Bank of Barbados for its outstanding service as he delivered the feature address last Saturday night at a ceremony to mark the Bank’s 45th anniversary.
Speaking at the awards gala and dinner at the Concorde Experience, Mr. Stuart noted that in those 45 years, like Central Banks around the world, the Bank had to cope with “a range of storms”, both internally and externally derived.
He maintained: “The measure of its capacity has been the proven ability to sail through sometimes rough seas, to negotiate sudden and unpredictable storms, and to reach harbour safely, with its reputation undefiled and enhanced.”
Acknowledging that the Bank had been led over the years by “a galaxy of fine Governors”, he observed: “Against sometimes daunting odds, they have succeeded in laying the groundwork for the observance of the highest standards of research and service excellence that have been associated with the Bank from its establishment to the present time.”
The Prime Minister contended that Central Banks were creatures of the societies that produced them and must therefore change their approaches to reflect the environment in which they operated at any time.
“The Central Bank of Barbados has evolved and transformed itself seamlessly, when required so to do, by changed objective conditions in the national, regional or international financial environment,” he added.
Mr. Stuart had high praise for the long-serving members of staff who were honoured on Saturday night, and stated that the length of service spoke to “personal stability and an unwavering commitment to national development”.
He urged the Governor and staff to continue on their trajectory of excellence and described them as an inspiration to Barbados.