The Caribbean development bank (CDB) has officially opened up its country office inside Haiti, its the first outside of its original  headquarters  in Barbados. The president of CBD Dr. William Warren Smith hosted an inauguration event attend by the First Lady of Haiti Martine Moise and other ministers of government representatives from the diplomatic community in Haiti.

The bank seeks to advance the country’s development in assisting with its further integration into the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“Be assured that CDB stands ready to provide further support and to continue improving the quality of programmes and services to enhance the livelihoods of the people of Haiti,” he added.

Speaking to the gathering at the Royal Oasis Hotel in Pétion-Ville, Smith noted that since 2007, the CDB has committed approximately US$134 million in grants to Haiti from the Bank’s Special Development Fund (Unified). CDB’s new Country Office will become the focal point for the implementation of its country strategy for Haiti for the period 2017 to 2021, he said.

“This Office represents the Caribbean Development Bank’s deep and unwavering commitment to continue working with the Government of Haiti to deliver positive development results for the people of Haiti,” said Monica La Bennett, Vice-President (Operations).

The CDB’s ongoing work in Haiti includes projects in education, climate resilience, community-based agriculture, and rural development.