News & Events

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is marking the 40th anniversary of its establishment, and the Bank is planning a series of activities to celebrate this milestone. 

CDB was set up as a regional development financing institution to contribute to the harmonious economic growth and development of the member countries in the Caribbean, and to promote economic cooperation and integration among these countries. 

The Agreement establishing the CDB was signed in Kingston, Jamaica, on October 18, 1969.

Signatories to the Agreement were: Antigua – V.C. Bird; Bahamas – Carlton E. Francis; Barbados – Errol W. Barrow; British Honduras – A.A. Hunter; British Virgin Islands – Ivan Dawson; Canada – Paul Martin; Cayman Islands – D.V. Watler; Dominica – E.O. Le Blanc; Grenada – Geo. F. Hosten; Guyana – P.A. Reid; Jamaica – E. Seaga; Montserrat – W.H. Bramble; St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla – Robt. L. Bradshaw; St. Lucia – J.C. Compton; St. Vincent – Hudson K. Tannis; Trinidad and Tobago – Kamaluddin Mohammed; Turks and Caicos – R.E. Wainwright; and United Kingdom – George Thompson.

The Agreement establishing the Bank entered into force on January 26, 1970, after the required eight signatories deposited their instruments of ratification or acceptance.

CDB is the leading catalyst for development resources into the Region, working towards the systematic reduction of poverty in its borrowing member countries through social and economic development.

Haiti Joins the Caribbean Development Bank

The Republic of Haiti became the newest member of the Caribbean Development Bank on January 19, 2007. A devastating earthquake struck the island on January 12, 2010 affecting up to one third of the country’s population. The Bank has committed to assisting the island in its rebuilding efforts.

More about Haiti.