The Country Strategy Paper (CSP) outlines the assistance strategy of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) over the period 2011-14.  In shaping the CSP, extensive discussions were convened with key country officials, as well as principal development partners, in an effort to sharpen focus, avoid duplication and strengthen synergistic relationships.

The support programme rests on three broad pillars that are in concert with CDB’s own priorities. These are: promoting broad-based economic growth and inclusive social development; promoting good governance; and supporting environmental sustainability and disaster risk management (DRM).  In particular, the strategy will help the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to deliver a range of outcomes including: strengthening human capital; improving livelihoods in at-risk communities with positive externalities for the incidence of crime and violence; broadening economic opportunities; and safeguarding development gains through improved DRM practices.  Gender will be a cross-cutting theme in the strategy.

The dimensions of the proposed intervention strategy in T&T acknowledge several realities.  While the country has development deficits which call for focused policy effort, the monetisation of the hydrocarbon subsector provides T&T with a range of funding options.  CDB’s support for T&T must be selective and well targeted in order to leverage skills and knowledge and maximise development effectiveness.    The CSP therefore reflects carefully considered interventions in critical sectors which offer significant poverty reducing or income generating potential.  Collectively, the strategy can add robust welfare enhancement in the twin-island state over time.