CDB points to T&T’s high growth and aid

BRIDGETOWN — Trinidad and Tobago recorded the highest growth rate for 2001 among the borrowing member countries of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and was also one of the main recipients of development aid from the regional financial institution for last year.

Of some US$112 million disbursed by the CDB last year, Trinidad and Tobago received 14 per cent or approximately US$16 million, according to bank president, Dr Compton Bourne, at his first “review of the year” press conference yesterday.

In terms of real growth, Trinidad and Tobago recorded 4.2 per cent, the highest rate, driven largely by increasing petrochemicals production.

Jamaica and Guyana were heading for three per cent and two per cent real growth towards the final quarter of 2001 and Jamaica was second in line as a major recipient of bank funds with 12 per cent or US$13.3 million.

President Bourne, now in his first year as head of the CDB, which is currently preparing for its 32nd annual Board of Governors Meeting in May, identified some of the problems that contributed to a slowdown in economic development in the region during 2001.

He also spoke of plans to help the less developed borrowing countries, such as those in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Belize. These plans include raising concessionary loans for critical short-term needs of some US$20 million and at least US$500,000 in grants from international financial institutions and donor countries.

“The global economic slowdown during 2001,” said Bourne, “and in particular the slowing in the growth of aggregate demand in the USA and Europe, together with the new concerns over terrorism and security, substantially affected both the performance and the short-term growth and medium-term development prospects of the CDB’s borrowing member countries as a group.”

Jailbreak gang now bigger

GEORGETOWN — Guyana’s Police Commissioner Floyd McDonald was yesterday intensifying a police manhunt for a jailbreak gang that he believes has grown within past weeks following the escape from the Georgetown Prison of five armed and dangerous criminals.

The original five made their daring escape on February 23 during the country’s annual carnival celebration known as “Mashramani”, killing in the process a prison warder and seriously wounding another who is still recuperating in hospital.

Commissioner McDonald said his men have received information that the gang has been expanded and is being linked to a spate of recent armed robberies.

“We are dealing here,” he said, “with men who are career criminals, bold, desperate and who would stop at nothing. Utter vigilance is required by the public as we continue to track them down.”

The police have come under sharp criticisms for perceived inability to effectively respond to the escalating crime wave. But Commissioner McDonald, in addressing a conference of police officers, said that no effort was being spared to bring to justice the members of the criminal gang.

Granny catches thief

PORT-OF-SPAIN — The police and her neighbours were yesterday commending the bravery of a 66 year-old granny whose courage led to the arrest of a man, who had robbed her Wednesday night on the streets of San Fernando.

Lenora Hemming fought with the robber, a man almost half her age, who was subsequently identified as an unemployed 35 year-old resident of St Madeleine area of San Fernando.

The woman fought unsuccessfully to prevent being robbed of her purse with TT$20 and some personal documents, but the man escaped.

She called the police and set about searching on her own for her attacker, following him carefully along the Pointe-a-Pierre Road to a corner where he was seen entering a KFC outlet at the La Pique Mall.

The police, who arrived in time to arrest him, said he was wanted for other crimes. He was scheduled to be placed on an ID parade yesterday.