OECS optimistic about future growth

The subregional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) says it remains optimistic that as the global economy continues to improve, the nine-member grouping will also record economic growth in the future.

"There are growing indications that growth is slowly but steadily returning to key economies such as the United States, and to the global economy in general. The picture that has been emerging is one which should provide encouragement and hope," said OECS chairman and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

In his 2014 New Year message to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, St Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands, Spencer said the global economy may finally be experiencing the turn-around which the subregion has been anticipating

But he said 2013 had served as a constant reminder of the subregion's own vulnerability, making reference to the death and destruction caused in three OECS member states by the low level trough that caused widespread flooding.

BAD TIMING

"The timing of these events could not have been worse, coming at a time when the general and public expectation was for joy, peace and good cheer, but also at a time of severe economic and fiscal distress for our member states," Spencer said. He added that he was reassured by the "indomitable spirit" of the people of those affected countries that the future of our region remains full of promise.

"I am confident that ours is a resolve that cannot be broken, whether by man or by nature. We will prevail," he said.

- CMC