BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB/the Bank) recently conducted a comprehensive Country Project Portfolio Review of Barbados. The event brought together senior government officials, CDB representatives, and key project stakeholders to assess the status of Bank-funded projects, identify opportunities to strengthen implementation, and ensure continued alignment with Barbados’ national development agenda.
Held on July 4, 2025, at CDB’s headquarters, the review focused on key development priorities such as climate-resilient infrastructure, private sector growth, and social development. Participants also discussed challenges and lessons learned from critical projects in areas that include flood mitigation, water supply system upgrades, and public sector capacity-building initiatives being supported by CDB.
The event featured a presentation on CDB’s flagship poverty reduction programme, the Basic Needs Trust Fund (funded under the Bank’s Special Development Fund), of which Barbados is a beneficiary, with access to US$3.17 million in grant funding towards improvements in basic economic and social infrastructure and services.
Ryan Straughn, minister in the ministry of finance, and the Kay McConney, minister of economic affairs and investment, participated in the dialogue on strategic issues such as institutional strengthening, expanding access to equity financing, and the socio-economic aspects of project implementation.
“I am happy to engage in this Country Portfolio Review for Barbados, particularly because we have gone through a period of significant adjustment and reform that has led us to a point where we can see a more stable economy moving forward,” explained minister Straughn. “I encourage all of us to see these interventions not just as infrastructure projects, but as actions that directly improve people’s lives,” added minister Straughn.
Ian Durant, CDB’s acting vice president for finance and corporate services, underscored the importance of the review in alignment with Barbados’ overall national development, noting, “We are streamlining our operations for greater agility, increased scale, accelerated funding deployment, and greater development impact, particularly for disaster risk management.”
This focus is particularly relevant for Barbados, where growing climate vulnerabilities highlight the need for timely, effective risk management. CDB’s ongoing investments support the country’s long-term development by strengthening economic foundations and building social and environmental resilience for a more inclusive and climate-smart future.
The Country Project Portfolio Review of Barbados formed part of CDB’s broader effort to ensure its development assistance remains responsive, results-oriented, and aligned with the priorities of its borrowing member countries. It also reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between the bank and the government of Barbados to improve the quality of life for all Barbadians.
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