KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has signaled its intention for deeper involvement in Jamaica’s sustainable development programs as a senior executive team completed a week of high-level exchanges with government ministers and other officials on Friday.
The mission commenced with a meeting with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, where the dialogue centered on strengthening the partnership between the country and the Barbados-based financial institution to accelerate Jamaica’s economic growth agenda.
Key areas identified for more profound intervention included agriculture, food sovereignty, water security, citizens security, and capacity building for national institutions.
The delegation also discussed with the Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, and other senior managers from the Planning Institute of Jamaica, which focused on increased support for initiatives to promote resilience and sustainability.
Dr. Henry recognized CDB’s deep understanding of the country’s challenges citing the Bank’s advocacy and advice on measuring vulnerability and the impact of its expansive operations in Jamaica’s agriculture and water sectors.
The mission agenda also included consultations with government ministers from the Agriculture, National Security, and Science, Energy, and Technology ministries.
“Accelerating Jamaica’s development trajectory is imperative for the CDB as the country is one of our largest shareholders and an important part of the regional development framework,” said the head of the delegation, CDB Vice President (Operations) Isaac Solomon.
“As a matter of priority, we seek to work more closely with Jamaica to facilitate holistic development in areas that will resonate with various stakeholder groups throughout the country.”
The Bank’s portfolio in Jamaica includes the £35.5 million Essex Valley Agricultural Development Project in the southern parish of St. Elizabeth and the £16.7 million Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project in Clarendon, also in the south.
The two major infrastructure improvement initiatives are financed under the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund.
Both undertakings will improve agricultural production, productivity, and access to markets for farming interests in the respective parishes.
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