Congratulations are in order for the erudite Minister of Finance,  the Honourable Dr Ashni Kumar Singh, on his elevation to  the Chair of the Caribbean Development Bank’s(CDB’s) Board of Governors at the end of  its 43rd  annual meeting held recently  in St. Lucia.

For Dr. Singh, the nation’s finance czar, this is a signal honour and a formidable recognition for his pivotal role in managing one of  CARICOM’s most successful economies, as far as sustainable economic growth is concerned. In fact, because of his stewardship, Guyana has achieved a seventh year of successive economic growth.
This honour is a further addition to the many that this financial  wizard has achieved in his very distinguished public  career. Among the senior public sector positions held before the Finance portfolio were Director of Budget, in the Ministry of Finance, and  Deputy Auditor General in the Office of the Auditor General, among other high portfolios.
Since becoming Finance Minister, Dr Singh has represented Guyana on the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He has also chaired the 2007 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, and the Commonwealth Ministerial Debt Sustainability Forum, from April 2008 to the same corresponding period in 2009.
This very special, but important responsibility bestowed on Dr. Singh, means for Guyana  a vindication of its many strategies over the years that  has made it the envy of the Caribbean. Also, it speaks of the respect at international level that this country now commands.
One is certain that the minister will employ his considerable skills and expertise, not only to his colleagues at the CDB, but also that such be further deployed for the benefit of CARICOM.
Once again, congratulations Minister!