BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it has approved the US$436.7-million country strategy for Trinidad and Tobago for the period 2017 to 2021.

“This strategy underscores CDB’s longstanding commitment to helping Trinidad and Tobago achieve its development priorities. It will provide focused support that aims to unlock the country’s potential for economic and social development, improve competitiveness, promote good governance, and drive environmental sustainability,” said Dr Justin Ram, director of economics at the CDB.

The CDB said that the programme of assistance is designed to help Trinidad and Tobago achieve five key development outcomes. These include improved quality of, and access to, education and training; strengthening social protection; increasing productivity, competitiveness and economic diversification as well as improving evidence-based development planning and institutional development and strengthening environmental management supported by safe and resilient infrastructure.

Gender equality, as well as energy security and citizen security considerations, will be mainstreamed in CDB’s interventions delivered under the strategy.

The programme of assistance takes into account lessons learnt from the previous country strategy (2011-2014), including the need to address institutional implementation capacity and strengthen donor coordination to achieve more meaningful development results.

In developing the country strategy, CDB said it held extensive discussions with officials from the Trinidad and Tobago government, as well as other stakeholders and development partners.

It said this is dialogue is central to promoting country ownership of the strategy.

“The approved strategy aligns with CDB’s strategic objectives of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development, and promoting good governance. It builds on the government of Trinidad and Tobago’s National Development Plan Vision 2030,” the CDB added.