BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS the month of October approaches, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and other financial institutions across the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis have already began making preparations for the 11th annual Financial Information Month (FIM).
At a meeting held yesterday (May 23) at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium with media personnel and members of the financial institutions in St. Kitts and Nevis, discussions were held with regards to the upcoming activities that would be taking place this October.
According to Sybil Welsh, Adviser, Corporate Relations Department at ECCB, the objective of this year's FIM is to provide more information for persons who are interested in entrepreneurship and to assist small businesses in their continued success.
"This year our focus is on entrepreneurship and business best practices and, the reason is, we want the month to be a catalyst to stir our employment initiatives using our creative skills. We know many persons might have aspirations of being entrepreneurs but they need to be given that extra push and that extra technical know-how.
"We also know that to be competitive, business have to focus on improving how they do business and that is where best business practices comes in because it means instead of doing things in an ad hop manner, the businesses can look at a systematic way of how to improve their business delivery, their service delivery and how to really shape their businesses to ensure continued success and to spark success in areas which are lagging behind."
Last year the ECCB shunned from the usual FIM routine and brought something different to the table to compliment the "Grow Your Savings" theme.
This year the ECCB is expecting to capitalise on the change and add more spice to the mix with not only a theme song for the month but a music video as well.
Also on the agenda for this year are T-shirts, webpage, community outreach programmes, street banners and much more.
Last year, in an effort to better reach the nation, both young and old, the Central Bank had put together an exciting package for the month with fun filled activities for all to enjoy and, of course, learn from the focus being on the importance of building one’s savings as a critical foundation for financial strengthening, financial risk management and financial prosperity.
Some of the community projects included financial clinics, financial fitness walkathon and financial rally, donation of food baskets, and sports meet, while promotional projects included street banners, T-shirts sporting the FIM theme and logo, and FIM logo and theme on Island Purified Water bottles.
Workshops were in the form of business symposium; discussions with churches, educational institutions and community groups; in-house workshops; and children’s place – library hour; while media programmes focused on topics such as Make Safe Investments, Ensure your dollars make sense, Grow your savings, Invest wisely for a brighter tomorrow, and 1, 2, 3, get ready to save’.
Financial Information Month forms part of an Eastern Caribbean Currency Union public education and awareness programme organised by the ECCB.
The Programme promotes knowledge and understanding of general financial and economic issues, and incorporates a series of projects designed to support the attainment of the goal of “A financially developed and vibrant ECCU region that fosters strong and sustainable economic growth and the improved well-being of the citizenry”.
FIM has been celebrated in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union in the month of October each year since 2002.
