Newly appointed governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Cleviston Haynes, comes into office from today with a groundswell of support from some of the country’s leading interest groups and at least two fledgling political parties.
Last week Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Christopher Sinckler approved the appointment of Haynes, who acted from February 24, 2017, after Dr Delisle Worrell, was fired from the job.
Haynes, a career central banker, has been appointed for a five-year period.
In an interview with the DAILY NATION, executive director of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB), Reginald Farley, congratulated Haynes on being appointed to the top post.
Farley said: “We have every confidence that, having served at the bank for nearly 40 years, Haynes will bring his considerable experience, knowledge and balanced judgment to this important role. We at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados have had the pleasure of working with him on a number of occasions in the past and we look forward to working with him.”
President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eddy Abed, also commended the appointment.
He said: “We have had contact with Haynes over the last few months and we have found him to be a reasonable and knowledgeable person suitable for the position. We are excited and keen and look forward to next year when we hope to work closely with him.”
When contacted, Opposition Barbados Labour Party candidate and economist Ryan Straughn, and the party’s general secretary Senator Dr Jerome Walcott, both declined comment on the appointment. Efforts to reach party leader Mia Mottley up to press time were unsuccessful.
However, leader of the United Progressive Party, Lynette Eastmond, welcomed the appointment and viewed it as a sensible choice. She said Haynes personified those attributes required of those who held high office, especially in regulatory institutions as sensitive as the Central Bank.
She added: “We believe that he will continue to provide distinguished service to Barbados in this new role.”
Meanwhile, political leader of Solutions Barbados, Grenville Phillips II, expressed confidence in the system that appointed Haynes.
Phillips said: “The Government proposes or recommends someone in consultation with the Opposition and if the Opposition does not come out and say anything, then we must accept that the process was followed, and we have the best person for the job.
“So I have confidence in our system. I trust that he would fulfil his role in the most competent manner, and we look forward to working with him in a future Solutions Barbados administration. (NC)
