BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Sir Dwight Venner, is calling on stakeholders in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to provide the collective effort to help the sub-regional countries put their economies on the path to growth and development.

In a radio and television broadcast to member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) on Tuesday night, Sir Dwight said that the sub-region had endured four years of negative economic growth as a result of the impact of the global economic and financial crisis “which has affected all facets of our economic and financial systems.

“It would be fair to say that we have reached a turning point in the OECS and the currency union which requires a collective effort involving political and social consensus, technical expertise and managerial and administrative competence.

“It is true that we have survived and made steady progress since independence, but all the evidence suggests that this time is different and that to catch up with the rest of the world and our competitors we must be prepared for significant adjustments to our current policies and modes of doing business. “

Sir Dwight said he is confident that the sub-region has “the capacity to succeed in this endeavour” noting “the platform is there.