BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has elected Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon to serve as the next President of the multi-lateral institution.
His appointment will become effective on May 1, 2021. He will succeed Dr. Warren Smith, who has been at the regional financial institution’s helm for the last 10 years.
“I am deeply honored by the trust that the Board of Governors has demonstrated in my experience and ability. The CDB remains an instrumental partner in regional development. I look forward to working with all member states and a tremendous staff with zeal and unrelenting commitment,” Dr. Leon said about his appointment.
The CDB president-elect has over 30 years of economic development experience and has directed macroeconomic and financial policy support to government authorities in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, and the Caribbean.
He has worked with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for more than 24 years, serving as Mission Chief for the Gulf States of Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and The Bahamas, Nigeria Zimbabwe.
Dr. Leon has also served as the IMF’s Senior Resident Representative in Jamaica.
Before he engaged with the IMF, Dr. Leon was an Associate Professor at the State University of New York at Old Westbury in the United States. He has also served as Director of Research at the Central Bank of Barbados and Country Economist at CDB.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Economics from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom (UK) and a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc.) from the University of London also in the United Kingdom.
and then 