Bank Directors' symposium

The Central Bank held its annual Bank Directors' Symposium on Wednesday on the theme 'Vision 2020: Aligning the Banking Sector to the Real Economy'.

The Central Bank considers it important to discuss the role of the banking sector in achieving a US$ 150 billion economy and GDP per capita of over US$ 7,000.

The symposium was attended by over 200 Directors and Chief Executive Officers of the 34 licensed banks. Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal delivered the keynote address.

Deliberations focused on, inter-alia, emerging trends in the global environment with special emphasis on strategic leadership of bank directors, importance of credit ratings of banks, strategic planning for transformation and empowerment with special focus on banking in the digital era and the importance of moving away from silo-based risk management.

The presentations were delivered by eminent resource persons, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Iclif Leadership and Governance Centre in Malaysia, Rajeev Peshawaria, Managing Director, Public Sector and Development Organisations, Standard Chartered Bank, Ms. Catherine Bouvier d'Yvoire, Executive Vice President and Group CIO, John Keells Holdings PLC, Ramesh Shanmuganathan and Chief Executive Officer, RiskBusiness International Limited, Mike Finlay.

The symposium provided an opportunity for the participants to exchange views and share their experiences on matters relating to the catalyst role of the banking sector in exploring new opportunities and meeting challenges towards achieving Vision 2020.