ECCB observes Financial Information Month

Schools as well as the business community will have an opportunity to participate in activities marking Financial Information Month (FIM) this October.

FIM is a regional financial education campaign observed in the ECCU throughout October since 2002 and forms part of an ECCU financial education programme coordinated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).

It is a collaborative effort among the ECCU member governments, financial and academic institutions, the media, private and public sector institutions and community–based groups.

Resident Representative of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Edmund Robinson, said a business innovation contest has been planned for high school students.

“We are trying to encourage students at an early age to look at the question of a business and come up with a proposal. The first place winner will be awarded $3,000 dollars, the second place $2,000 dollars, third place $1,000 and the school with the most entries will receive a grant of $1,000,” he said at a press conference on Monday.

The local ECCB office will also hold lecture sessions at various high schools and the Dominica state college on money management during the observance of Financial Information Month.

“The next thing we intend to do is to make presentations to the various high schools and the Dominica State College on money management, entrepreneurship and wealth creation. In addition to that the ECCB is planning through its video conference facility to host a business symposium with fourth and fifth form students”.

Robinson told the media that presentations on financial issues will also be made to business houses and community groups.

“We are also looking at business symposium for the business places. It will look at strategic foresight and activity and future orientation of the private sector. Also we hope some of the businesses can participate in small business workshops. The Bank of Nova Scotia will lead the way in this effort,” he noted.

All of the eight member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) are observing Financial Information Month (FIM) 2012 under the theme: “Challenge Yourself: Innovate – Compete – Succeed!”