3rd Caribbean Conference on the International Financial Serv

Message From The Prime Minister

of Antigua And Barbuda Dr. The Hon. Baldwin Spencer

As the lead spokesman for services in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Quasi-Cabinet, I extend a pleasant welcome to all esteemed delegates attending the 3rd Caribbean Conference on the International Financial Services Sector. This Conference follows from the successful staging of two previous Conferences (July 9th &10th 2010 and October 30th & 31st 2012) in Antigua and Barbuda, at a time when Financial Services particularly the offshore sector was under attack from many quarters. Conscious of the sector’s importance to many Member States’ economic survival, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda made representation to the European Commission which gave birth to this most important Conference. Dialogue through the exchange of ideas in the framework of the Financial Services Conference enabled both CARIFORUM and the European Union to better understand the various modalities underpinning the sector. We remain happy with the support of the EU and other development partners in this process and look forward to their continued support. For this reason, Antigua and Barbuda remains committed to playing a pivotal role in espousing the active efforts at reform within the financial services sector for the benefit of all in the Region. Consequently, we are delighted to engage in today’s Conference under the theme “The Caribbean: Engaging the World in Financial Services”. It is my fervent hope that the deliberations will result in concrete actions that will redound to the overall benefit of all and provide greater impetus to strengthening our economies. Antigua and Barbuda also wishes to complement the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) for its continued focused hard work on this subject. Therefore, we pledge our support as the Conference moves throughout CARIFORUM bringing greater focus on Financial Services as a key employer while striving to make it globally competitive. The Conference Agenda is provocative and affords delegates an opportunity for frank and open discussion on among other things, the parameters of “Engaging the World in Financial Services”. I once again, extend congratulations to the organizers of this year’s Conference and look forward to its outcome.