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Contact:
Julita Peter
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - In an effort to increase understanding and
initiate ongoing public discussion on financial and economic matters throughout
the region, member governments have designated October as financial literacy
month. Spearheading this initiative is the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank - the
ECCB.
This year the theme selected is “Building Strong Economies in the Eastern
Caribbean Central Unit (ECCU), depends on you and me.” The event is intended not
only to call attention to the need for individuals, firms and governments to
participate in the process of financial accountability, but also to clarify
responsibilities and identify the benefits of ensuring a stable financial
environment.
St. Lucia’s Ministry of Finance, International Financial Services and Economic
Affairs is among other financial institutions in the region that have been
invited to participate in some of the activities.
Co-ordinator of the ministry’s activities Jean Mathurin says, “The Ministry of
Finance will actually be involved in a panel discussion on the 2nd of October,
where a presentation will be made on the importance of financial prudence at the
individual and governmental levels in ensuring financial stability and economic
growth. We intend to open the telephone lines to facilitate some level of
interaction from the public.”
The Ministry of Finance will also be involved in two other activities on October
8th and 9th that include a series of radio programmes hosted by ministry
officials dealing with the role of the individual in ensuring financial
stability, and the importance of budgeting from the individual and national
perspective.
Other areas of focus during ECCB’s Financial Literacy Month include the
importance of enterprise and export development, and the advantages of regional
integration. The ECCB believes that the successful implementation of the
Financial Literacy Month project will require inputs from government ministries,
public and private sector companies, the region’s financial institutions as well
as the media.
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