Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Timothy Antoine said many of the challenges being faced in the region can best be handled through regional approaches.
Speaking at the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Fort Young Hotel on Thursday, Antoine said that dialogue is important and he also expressed concerns over the high rate of unemployment among the youth in the region.
“Many of the challenges that we face in our region can best be handled through regional approaches,” he said. “They are not necessarily easy but that is the way we have to go.”
“In essence what we are doing here this morning, taking time from your morning schedule to have this conversation is, in fact, part of a regional dialogue that is important for us to think through our ideas and then come together to take collective action,” he stated.
He pointed out that unemployment among youth is simply too high in the region.
“In some countries, the average is around 20 percent to 25 percent and then the youth is doubled, so the youth is 40- 50 percent,” Antoine explained. “That’s a recipe for problems. Some of the social pathologies that we see manifesting today are in fact linked to the state of unemployment or the high unemployment in our region.”
Antoine said in order to move to the next level to really receive transformation, “we have to undertake some critical reforms and we need to do so with urgency.”
“Reforms that will lift the level of growth and employment and ultimately move us towards transformation,” he noted.
Could you please repeat this again in the Commonwealth of Dominica and hope that they understand the correlation between rising youth unemployment and rising youth delinquency and crime: “In some countries, the average is around 20 percent to 25 percent and then the youth is doubled, so the youth is 40- 50 percent,” Antoine explained. “That’s a recipe for problems. Some of the social pathologies that we see manifesting today are in fact linked to the state of unemployment or the high unemployment in our region.” Now may I please ask, what is the percentage of youth unemployment in the Commonwealth of Dominica? And why isn’t there outrage in the country for the continuous and now constant high unemployment? Why have we accepted this situation?
It is not possible to move the economies forward if the procedure is to move people into leadership of our institutions if they are not competent to meet the challenges of this very complex modern world.. Short term answers will not do it..nor will loyalty to political party for positions.. Loyalty does not easily translate to competence Even Donald Trump is learning that now.
These brainwashed and programed caribbean leaders, will say anything but the truth, while continuing to mislead our people. The caribbean economy with the exception of Trinidad is based on tourism, the serving industry, the education given to the host of unemployed caribbean youths, is to be subservient. While the caribbean remains undeveloped, international investors are getting great returns on their investments in ASIA and other countries, because the wages paid will never be accepted in the caribbean. The school curreculum will no doubt need to be changed , with the continued closing of doors in the industrial countries, caribbean investments must take care of their own nationals . Being influenced by the wide media outlets, gov’t are looking at perilous developments and in most cases additional jails are being built. A caribbean mass movement for reparations, is one way of channeling the youth energy , resentment is around the corner, and the picture will not be beautiful. BD.
are you willing to talk with me in a frank and respectful way !both sides! on your view? Then call 245-4618 ,,, thanks