Minister Cummings to address Credit Union leadership on how the 2021/2022 National Budget can facilitate a brighter future for the youth even within the credit union movement

Chaguanas, Trinidad October 6, 2021:  The Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister for Youth Development and National Services will deliver the feature address at a Virtual Budget Breakfast Meeting hosted by the Central Finance Facility (CFF) on Friday, October 8, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Minister Cummings will speak on the topic: “Building Financial Health for a Brighter Future – A focus on Youth, Diversification and Entrepreneurship”; extracted from the theme for this year’s International Credit Union Day 2021 being celebrated on Thursday October 21.  One of the core long term goals of the CFF is to facilitate Economic ownership, amongst credit unions and non-financial cooperatives, of businesses and business activities in Trinidad and Tobago.  Minister Cummings will speak with credit union leaders about the Ministry’s role in creating and nurturing the environment for credit union members at the most needed economic levels can access business opportunities as supported by the National Budget 2021/2022.

Invited Panellists include:

  • Dr. Marlene Attzs, Development Economist and Lecturer, University of the West Indies who will speak on “How do the measures outlined in the 2021/2022 National Budget help to build resilience through the Pandemic? How can credit unions capitalize on these opportunities to promote financial health for their members in the future?
  • Dr. Vaalmikki Arjoon, Lecturer, Finance, University of the West Indies who will speak on How does the 2021/2022 National Budget create opportunities for diversification and National Economic Growth? What opportunities do you see for the promotion of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and how can these help to stimulate business ownership and cooperation within the Cooperative Movement?” 
  •  Mrs. Aklima Beekham-Maharaj/CLICO Credit Union, Business Development and Marketing Manager who will speak on “What opportunities are there in the 2021/2022 National Budget for our younger members to gain financial health? Are there threats to their capacity to do so? Given the budget measures outlined, how can the Credit Union Sector design products and services to enable the younger generation to enjoy future financial health?”

This meeting is targeted to board members, managers, senior staff and young professionals of Credit Unions and represents the continued work by CFF to ensure that the Credit Union Movement of Trinidad and Tobago remains resilient and sustainable during these unprecedented times through the principle of “Cooperation among Cooperatives”.

****END****