OECS and Compete Caribbean Host Successful Digital Payments Expo

OECS Media Release

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission in partnership with the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility hosted a Digital Payment Webinar and Expo on Tuesday March 30, 2021, under the theme: “Unlocking The Power Of Digital Payments For the Growth of Micro Small And Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the OECS”. 

The event attracted approximately 277 participants interested in the digital financial solutions available to their region and the digital payment services available to MSME’s and interested consumers.  

Participants heard opening remarks by the Director General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules; Director of Economic Affairs and Regional Integration, Mrs. Jacqueline Emmanuel-Flood; as well as Deputy Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Mr. Trevor Brathwaite.

Dr. Jules welcomed the Digital Payments Expo, noting that ‘it is a small but important step towards a more resilient OECS.’ The Director General also highlighted the timeliness of the event, stating:

“Whether we like it or not, our economies are caught in an increasingly disruptive and transformative global economy. The only way to respond effectively is to adapt and in some cases to re-invent. In all cases, we become more agile in the process.”  

Mr. Brathwaite provided the meeting with insights on the state of payment legislation within the OECS stating:

“The Eastern Caribbean Payment Systems Act is existent but we are moving to modernise that piece of legislation with the intention to address some of the recent developments in the digital payment space, so that we can have uniform legislation in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).” 

He further indicated that:

“In developing legislation, the effort is not to stifle innovation but to have a legislative environment that protects the interests of citizens in the economic space.”

All speakers shared the common perspective that digital transformation of OECS economies and, in particular, the adoption of digital payments solutions by MSMEs is extremely important for the advancement of Small Island Developing States. 

The event featured a preview of the ECCB’s Digital Currency – DCash. Delivered by Ms. Sharmyn Powell, Chief Risk Officer, Office of Corporate Strategy and Risk Management, the preview presentation highlighted the benefits of the DXCD DCash wallet for users of the pilot countries which would include Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. 

The event also featured an exciting fireside chat hosted by Mr. Jodi Boodhoo, Deputy Chairperson of the Invest Saint Lucia Authority. The fireside chat highlighted the state of payments in the OECS and gave participants an opportunity to learn from the experiences of key players in the payment landscape such as MSMEs (Karibites Grenada); Fintech providers (JAD Cash Saint Kitts and Nevis); the International Trade Centre; and Financial Institutions (Saint Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank limited). 

Exciting discussions and engaging presentations on various payment solutions were delivered by institutions such as the Grenada Cooperative Bank Limited, and the Bank of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Limited. Several other digital financial solutions were presented by the following Fintech firms:

Overall, the Expo showcased the power of digital payments and explored viable ways to unlock the potential of digital financial technologies for the growth and competitiveness of OECS businesses and the economy as a whole.  

To bring the curtains down on the day’s event, the Expo received an update from the OECS on the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CADTP) and the OECS' project to strengthen the ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation – which seeks to provide assistance and capacity building to a number of OECS MSMEs to onboard digital financial services and payment solutions. 

 

Kwesi Roberts

Technical Specialist –Entrepreneurship Development, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

Ricardo James

Technical Specialist - Export Development, Competitive Business Unit, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

OECS Communications Unit

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

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About The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

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The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an International Organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance among independent and non-independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean. The OECS came into being on June 18th 1981, when seven Eastern Caribbean countries signed a treaty agreeing to cooperate with each other while promoting unity and solidarity among its Members. The Treaty became known as the Treaty of Basseterre, so named in honour of the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis where it was signed. The OECS today, currently has eleven members, spread across the Eastern Caribbean comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Martinique and Guadeloupe. 

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