Development Bank partners with Ministry of Health in hosting CEF 6

Ms Coralee Benjamin presenting a sponsorship cheque for the hosting of the Sixth Biennial Caribbean Environmental Forum and Exhibition (CEF 6) to Mr Clifford Griffin.

Basseterre St. Kitts (May 22, 2012) — Development Bank of Saint Kitts and Nevis has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Health in hosting the Sixth Biennial Caribbean Environmental Forum and Exhibition (CEF 6), which is organised by the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI, based in St. Lucia) and a number of regional and international organisations.

The five-day forum and exhibition which was officially opened on Monday May 21 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Hotel, is being held under the theme, The Green Economy: Challenge and Opportunities in Managing Health, Water, Waste, Land, Energy, Climate Change and our Natural Resources. Sponsorship cheque from the Development Bank was presented to Mr Clifford Griffin, administrative officer, Ministry of Health and the deputy chair for the forum’s National Organising Committee by Ms Coralee Benjamin, the bank’s Human Resource Officer, on Monday May 21.

According to Mr Griffin, the forum and exhibition, which is being held in St. Kitts and Nevis for the first time, presents an opportunity where international organisations come together to address issues as it relates to green economy and how the Ministry of Health under the aegis of Minister Hon Marcella Liburd can network and build synergies in addressing the issues.

“Development Bank is collaborating with the Ministry of Health in assisting the sponsorship of the banner and a contribution to the cocktail reception,” said Mr Griffin. “The banner itself is promoting green economy and addressing the various issues that are facing global health.” He felt that CEF 6 could not have come to St. Kitts and Nevis at a better time, as the country continues to address environmental issues, more so in the area of green energy. “Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Dr Denzil Douglas has now joined with the Premier of Nevis, the Hon Joseph Parry, in looking at geothermal and that is where we want to have the technical support with these international organisations to address issues as relates to energy and that is a step in the right direction,” observed Mr Griffin. “So these international organisations coming to this forum and exhibition will help us to make more strategic decisions in addressing these challenges as it relates to not only green economy but geothermal.”

In making the cheque presentation, Ms Benjamin noted that the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis is cognisant of the need to further explore in the areas of alternative energy and through its Business Support Unit it has been assisting small scale ventures in that field by way of financing and training. “We are proud that St. Kitts and Nevis is the venue for this well meaning forum and exhibition and hope that our people will learn something from it,” said Ms Benjamin. “The country is looking at cheaper energy alternatives, but the most important aspect of this drive is to ensure the sustainable use of the country’s natural resources. The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis supports such ventures and is providing low cost funds specifically towards projects for the development of alternative energy.”