Caribbean countries should remain innocent until proven guilty. The statement was made by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley at the opening of a Caribbean Financial Access Roundtable Discussion in Barbados on Wednesday, as he called for greater cooperation between American and Caribbean Banks.
The Prime Minister noted that too often Caribbean banks are stereotyped and ‘put on a list’ for some wrongdoing that countries have not even participated in. Dr. Rowley gave the example where Trinidad and Tobago is not engaged in offshore banking but is treated otherwise.
Dr. Rowley said banking is something many Caribbean countries can continue to engage in to even assist in diversifying economies. He pointed to another example where many people from the region face difficulties in simply opening a bank account.
The event is being co-chaired by Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, and US Congresswoman Maxine Waters of the US House Committee on Financial Services.