The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank published a keynote address by Governor Timothy N.J. Antoine for the opening of the 9th Annual Growth and Resilience Dialogue, shifting focus to the macroeconomic implications of recent geopolitical developments and a tariff war. The address highlighted near-term risks from higher inflation, potentially sharply higher shipping costs, and a slowing global economy that could undermine the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union’s tourism rebound. Antoine reaffirmed the strength of the EC dollar, citing 98.0 per cent backing and foreign reserves of EC$6.0 billion, and linked this to the ECCB’s longstanding policy of maintaining high reserve levels. He set out three priority messages for the region: adopting a “growth mindset”, intensifying implementation of the “Big Push” agenda with emphasis on food and nutrition security and energy security, and accelerating regional integration and collective action. On food security, he noted that the ECCB, with Monetary Council approval, recently disbursed combined grants of $25.0 million to member countries to help boost food production and reduce the food import bill; on energy, he pointed to the Bank’s 1MW solar plant and stated it saves $1.8 million annually in avoided energy costs, while noting the region’s reliance on fossil fuels for nearly 90.0 per cent of energy needs and welcoming the OECS Sustainable Energy Greenprint. The speech also called for reimagining a less seasonal tourism model, exploring the ECCU as a remote work hub, and addressing a regional data deficit through a data and AI strategy.

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