As demonstrated here in Rose Belle, the branch network of our banking sector continues to expand, thus giving the lie to observers of the financial scene who have been predicting the end of the brick-and-mortar model of banks.
I welcome this opportunity, once again, to address you on the economic performance of the Currency Union during the past year, and to share with you the Bank's views on the prospects for this year. The year 2006 will be one of the most defining periods in the lives of the people of the OECS and the wider English speaking Caribbean.