Above: Dr Warren Smith

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Caribbean Development Bank President Dr Warren Smith is currently on an official visit to Jamaica.

Smith, who began the trip on Wednesday, said the CDB remained a “strong partner of Jamaica” and that it was committed to offering assistance in “creative ways.”

“CDB will always be here for Jamaica, an extremely valuable member of the bank,” he said. “We will continue our dialogue with the officials to find innovative and creative ways in which our assistance can meaningfully help to alleviate some of the problems being faced by the country.”

Smith’s visit has included meetings with Industry Minister Anthony Hylton, Works Minister Omar Davies and Professor Nigel Harris, vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies.

The CDB’s top official said he was interested in increasing collaboration between the bank and UWI, particularly in the areas of research and innovation.

Smith will meet with Jamaican PM Portia Simpson Miller on Friday and with other cabinet officials on Monday.