CASTRIES, Saint Lucia, January 21, 2020 (CMC) – The Governor of the St. Kitts and Nevis-based Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Timothy N. J. Antoine, is leading a four-member delegation for talks in Saint Lucia on the performance and prospects of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).

The ECCB serves as the central bank for the union, comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands.

During his week-long visit, Antoine will hold talks with Governor General, Sir Neville Cenac; Cabinet; government officials; representatives of the private sector; and social partners.

An ECCB statement said that the visit, which forms part of Antoine’s “Country Outreach Visits,” will provide him with an opportunity “to listen to the leaders and citizens of the ECCU and to share information about the performances and prospects of the ECCU.”

Governor Antoine will also hold talks with officials from the Bankers Association of Saint Lucia, and the main opposition, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP).

Last month, Antoine said that the ECCU was set to record solid growth of about 3.3 percent in 2019, and that throughout the year, the Bank had vigourously pursued its “Transformation Agenda,” which included the launch of the first phase of the digital currency pilot; the launch of polymer notes; and the completion of the first phase of its campus greening program.

“As we look ahead to 2020, an exciting year beckons. Three of the Bank’s key priorities will be financial stability, digital transformation, and climate resilience.  At this moment, we project growth of about 3.5 percent,” Antoine added.