BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Tuesday paid tribute to its founding President, Sir Arthur Lewis, whom it described as a pioneer of regional development, who would have celebrated his 109th birthday today.
“A renowned scholar, innovator, and winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize for Economic Sciences, Sir Arthur was instrumental in establishing CDB, which remains the only indigenous development bank in the region,” the region’s premier financial institution said of the first St. Lucian to serve as president of the Bank.
It said that serving as president from 1970 – 1973, Sir Arthur played a crucial role in shaping the strategy and structure of the institution and devising the policies and procedures to ensure its effectiveness in promoting economic development in the Caribbean.
“Recognising that the evolution and growth of the region would require a skilled workforce, his tenure was marked by an emphasis on developing human capital, with the Bank prioritizing investments in education and skills development to support economic growth. ”
The CDB said that Sir Arthur believed collaboration and joint efforts were essential to address common challenges and critical in fostering integration and cooperation among Caribbean countries.
“As President, he encouraged member countries to work together and leverage the resources and expertise of the Bank to achieve shared goals,” the CDB said.
The CDB, which earlier this month announced that it had sent its current president, Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon, a St. Lucian national on administrative leave until April this year, said that it honors the legacy of Sir Arthur “through our commitment to accelerating the social and economic development of Caribbean nations and our ongoing efforts to mobilize the capital and resources needed to achieve the best future for the Region and the people we serve.”
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