Central Bank of Barbados to Host Commonwealth Governors' Meeting

Commonwealth Central Bank Governors will assemble in Barbados next weekend when the Central Bank of Barbados hosts the second Commonwealth Governors’ meeting under the theme “Basel II: Implementation Strategies, Alternatives and Implications for Developing Countries”.

Central Bank of Barbados Governor, Dr. Marion Williams, who will chair the half-day meeting at the Wildey Conference Centre on Sunday, September 18, 2005, said the meeting would provide a forum for her counterparts from across the Commonwealth to discuss an issue of mutual concern and interest.

Basel II is a revised framework to secure international convergence of capital measurement and capital standards for internationally active banks.

The meeting will begin with a presentation by Mr. Avinash Persaud, a consultant from London.  Mr. Cesare Calari, Vice President, Financial Sector, World Bank, will speak on the topic “Strengthening the Financial Sector”.  The South African Reserve Bank and the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago are expected to be lead discussants.

The Commonwealth Central Bank Governors’ meeting coincides with the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ conference.

More than 20 Governors from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific will be in attendance.