In this episode, we’re focusing on insights on innovation and resilience. CDB President, Dr Gene Leon, in his inaugural address to Annual Meeting of the Bank's Board of Governors, outlined a framework for how the Caribbean can drive progress in innovation through KIDS – which stands for Knowledge, Innovation Diagnostics, and Strategies.

In this episode, we examine the unique challenges which the Caribbean faces when it comes to accessing concessional financing, the impact of climate change on our development needs and explore solutions. This episode features Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P. in conversation with CDB President Dr Gene Leon, a dialogue which was moderated by Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy Antoine. It was recorded at the second edition of The President’s Chat, a dialogue forum from CDB which brings thought leaders and decision makers together to discuss issues of regional significance.

(This episode was previously recorded in May 2019.) From reggae to Rihanna, carnivals to compas, the Caribbean is a region of cultural dynamism and creativity. However, when it comes to making money from its creative industries (CI) sector, the Region lags behind the world. In 2018, the Caribbean Development Bank launched its Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) to help the Region build a globally competitive CI sector. CDB Director of Projects Daniel Best, CIIF Coordinator Dr. Marielle Barrow and Lisa Harding, Coordinator of Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Development, discuss what the Caribbean needs to do to be able to capitalise on its immense creativity.