Chairman Elect of the Caribbean Development Bank's Board of Governors, Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis is urging the Bank to act as a greater catalyst for faster change and adaptation in the Caribbean region, given developments across the world. Delivering the closing address at the end of the 44th Annual Meeting of the CDB's Board of Governors in Georgetown, Guyana, the St. Kitts and Nevis prime minster said the successful economic recovery of his own country was in many ways, the result of change, creativity and innovation of CDB. "The performance of the Bank is central in tackling the major issues related to competitiveness, to renewable energy and high electricity costs, to the increasing threats posed by climate change, achieving sustainable growth and arresting high unemployment," he said. Dr. Douglas urged the Bank to seize present and emerging opportunities to expand the use of the Policy Based loan and guarantee instruments and to develop new products tailored to the needs of its members and their peoples. The prime minister added that CDB was a trusted partnership for member countries and this should be put to work alongside the many other strengths of the Bank. Referring to the Bank's improved credit rating, Dr. Douglas said this was the direct result of hard work and focused attention. "I am indeed encouraged by the strides the Bank has made over the past several months to implement the reform agenda. More specifically, I find it most pleasing to learn of the improved credit rating of the Bank, a direct result of hard work and focused attention. The truth is that the reform agenda has been set for some time now and it is time for delivery. There is no shortage of good plans and good intentions. However, we must not lose sight of the prize, that is, the opportunity to deliver on the mandate of the Bank, to make a lasting impact in the lives of the people in each of the Borrowing Member Countries," Dr. Douglas said. At the same time, the St. Kitts prime minister welcomed Suriname as a full member of the Bank noting that it holds a great promise for expanding business and partnership, but suggested that CDB should move to develop a strategy for expanded membership.