central bank of barbados tom adams financial centre, spry street, bridgetown p. o. box 1016 telephone : ( 246 ) 436 - 6870 : fax. ( 246 ) 436 - 7836 e - mail address : info @ centralbank. org. bb website : www. centralbank. org. bb opening remarks mr. cleviston haynes, governor, central bank of barbados at the th 50 annual monetary studies conference hilton barbados resort tuesday, november 6, 2018 good morning. on behalf of the management and staff of the central bank of barbados, i am delighted to extend a warm bajan welcome to all of you, as we recognise and celebrate the 50th anniversary of this annual monetary studies conference. we are honoured to jointly host this landmark conference with our colleagues at the caribbean economic research team ( cert ), the new entity established to carry on the rich tradition of its forerunners, beginning with the regional programme for monetary studies, caribbean centre for monetary studies and the most recently the caribbean centre for money and finance. in recognition of this historic landmark, today we have the rare opportunity of having in our presence at this truly regional meeting, several of the governors of caricom central banks who have reorganised their schedules to enable this conference to overlap with their bi - annual meeting. moreover, they have consented to participate in today ’ s deliberations via a panel discussion during which they will reflect on and discuss some of the critical economic and financial challenges we are currently facing as a region under the theme “ rebuilding caribbean economies : a regional perspective on emerging economic and financial issues ”. i encourage you to take advantage of my colleagues ’ accumulated knowledge and wisdom. the achievement of fifty unbroken years of service is a significant milestone and by no means an easy accomplishment. it underscores the unwavering support, dedication, passion and hard work of the past directors, coordinators, officers - in - charge, research fellows, support staff, and the academic and professional economics community to keep the momentum going for this long. i would like to take this opportunity to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the longevity of this conference and i offer my best wishes to cert, as it continues on the path forged by its predecessors. from its humble beginnings, with the first conference held in 1969 at the central bank of trinidad and tobago, the annual monetary studies conference has developed into the top economic research conference in the region. over the years

provide for the transparency that is essential for the proper assessment and management of risk and sets clear behavioural standards which do not unnecessarily distort business decisions but provide clear guidance to market participants - whether they are end - users or intermediaries - as to what is expected of them and what they can reasonably expect of others. the picture i have painted is one of challenge and change. the flip - side of course is great opportunity. in fact there has never been a time when the markets here in london did not face change and uncertainty. but there has never been a time either when you, we, all of us, did not rise to the challenge. i am sure we will all do so again - and i wish you all possible success.