Sir K. Dwight Venner – ECCB Governor
Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
July 21, 2008 (CUOPM)
Economic activity in the member territories of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) is estimated to have expanded five percent last year, but slower growth is expected this year due to slowing global economy and rising food and commodity prices.
Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Sir K. Dwight Venner reported at the institution’s 62nd Monetary Council Meeting in Antigua on Friday, that deposits in the banking system expanded by 9.5 percent for the first the first four months of this year, reflecting the relatively strong economic growth experienced during the period.
“Economic activity is estimated to have expanded by 5.2 percent in 2007, following growth of 6.3 percent in the previous year and has continued to expand in the first quarter of 2008,” said a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting.
The Bank’s Governor reported continued robust growth in credit facilitated by more favourable lending terms and conditions from commercial banks, especially for loans to households. For the period, domestic credit increased by 16.9 percent, the bulk of this credit being extended for personal mortgages.