Dr. Warren Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) recently toured several CDB-financed projects in Haiti and discussed with beneficiaries the impact of these projects on the lives of ordinary Haitians. In late November 2012, Dr. Smith made his first official visit to the borrowing member country since he assumed the presidency of the Bank. While in Haiti, he offered the Government of the Republic of Haiti an emergency relief grant of USD200,000 to assist with recovery efforts following the effects of Hurricane Sandy in late October of this year. During the visit, Dr. Smith met with Prime Minister, the Hon. Laurent Lamothe; Minister of the Economy and Finance, the Hon. Marie Carmelle Jean-Marie, who is also CDB's Governor for Haiti; and Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Charles Castel, who is CDB's Alternate Governor for Haiti. The meetings addressed a range of topics, including key elements of the Government's development agenda; implementation progress of CDB-funded projects; and opportunities for CDB to provide assistance to Haiti. Additionally, Dr. Smith met with Ambassador Earl Huntley, Director, CARICOM Representation Office in Haiti, as well as with representatives from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank based in Haiti to discuss ways in which CDB can increase its role and the institutions can continue to collaborate to improve programme delivery in Haiti. The CDB mission headed by Dr. Smith included Vice-President (Operations), Dr. Carla Barnett; Advisor to the President, Ms. Dorla Humes; Portfolio Manager, Social Sector Division, Ms. Deidre Clarendon; and Economist, Mr. Kent Vital. Haiti was formally admitted to CDB membership on January 19, 2007.