Both Sides of The Coin: The Story of The Central Bank of Barbados 1972-2017

286 Encouraging high standards in all activities Generally speaking, over the years the Bank earned itself a reputation for doing things well. One boast is that the Sir Winston Scott Memorial Lecture had never started late. In terms of events management the Bank excelled, whether it was hosting local, regional or international events. Every detail was considered, every step was rehearsed and every contingency planned for. One area on which the Bank could have placed greater emphasis was the delivery of speeches. In public speaking, we emphasised content more than delivery; but there is much to be said for good delivery as it helps presentations to be more impactful. Encouraging investors to do business in Barbados The Bank has played an important role in efforts to attract investment to Barbados. It was included in delegations to the major conferences and organised several of them until that responsibility was taken over by the Barbados International Business Association. My tenure included the period in the late 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century when the developed jurisdictions launched several assaults on the sector. Barbados closed ranks with other small international financial centres to represent its interests. My own involvement, in my capacity as Governor, in the international business and financial sector only lasted about three years. With new institutions being established to deal with these areas, the Bank disengaged from these activities, but maintained its financial support for some time after. In addition, with external attacks on the sector intensifying, it was more appropriate for the Bank, as regulator, not to be involved in its promotion. The Central Bank and Government During my term, the Bank and the Ministry of Finance continued to collaborate in the area of macroeconomic policy-making. With respect