There has been a very successful Financial Fair, held by the Eastern Caribbean (ECCB) Central Bank’s Agency Office in Anguilla, which has resulted in a better understanding by Anguillians of money-related matters.
The fair, attended by Sixth Form students from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, and adult members of the public, was held at the gazebo on the grounds of the Scouts and Guides Ruthwill Auditorium on Friday, October 18. It was part of a series of activities to mark Financial Education Month.
Promoting Financial Empowerment through Education, the fair was supported by various public and private sector organisations. They included the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Anguilla, Social Security Board; Anguilla Development Board; National Commercial Bank of Anguilla; Anguilla Financial Services Commission; Scotiabank (Anguilla) Ltd.; D3 Enterprises Ltd; Malliouhana-Anico Insurance Company; NAGICO Insurance; Anguilla Community College; and the Health Authority of Anguilla.
The many booths attracted the attention of the visiting students and other members of the public who, apart from benefitting from the financial information, were the recipients of various promotional items and fact sheets.
The opening remarks were delivered by Mrs. Shirmaine Lynch-Harrigan, the ECCB Country Manager in Anguilla. “Financial Information Month is a regional financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial education campaign executed in the eight-member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union,” she explained. It is a “collaborative effort of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) member governments, financial and academic institutions, the media, other private and public sector institutions and community-based groups.”
Mrs. Lynch-Harrigan added: “The programme incorporates a series of initiatives designed to support the attainment of the goal of a financially-developed and vibrant ECCU region, that fosters strong and sustainable economic growth and the improved well-being of the citizenry.”
Her address was followed by remarks from Mrs. Wanda Brooks of D3 Enterprises who said her insurance company “was happy to partner with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, and the ECCU, in observing Financial Information Month.”
She spoke in detail about D3 Enterprises which was established in May 1988, its insurance work in Anguilla and the benefits of insurance and other financial services.
The fair was opened with the cutting of the ribbon by Dr. Aidan Harrigan, Permanent Secretary Finance, a former Board member of the ECCB, and the current member, Mrs. Kathleen Rogers.
