Full agenda for CDF in 2013

The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) is looking forward to the new year when it will be working on new projects.

According to Chairman of the Board of the CDF, Nigel John, 2013 will be a busy year for that organisation.

Speaking at the official opening of the CDF’s new office at Mall Internationale, St. Michael, Barbados, Mr.  John, reported that the CDF will be actively participating in the Task Force established by a recent decision of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), to further prioritise the support programme for the full incorporation of the OECS, Belize and Haiti into the integration process.

“This is in keeping with the role of the CDF under Chapter 7 on the Treaty [of Chaguaramas] as well in the decision of the last meeting of the Heads on Government in St Lucia, which emphasised the need to strengthen the CDF in order for it to play its full role in the execution of the regime established to support the disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors,” John stated.

The Chairman further announced that the CDF is also pioneering research in the Caribbean on the development of cohesion indicators and operational indicators for disadvantaged regions and sectors.

“This work, which is being executed in close collaboration with the Centre for Leadership and Governance of the University of the West Indies, will assist in the development of criteria to determine disadvantaged sectors and regions so that its contributing Member States, including Barbados could possibly benefit in the next contribution cycle,” John explained.

He added that the research will also develop an evaluation framework for CDF interventions using the cohesion index. John said that this will help to facilitate an objective review of the operations of the CDF at the end of its subscription cycles. (AN)