The Caribbean Development Bank's Basic Needs Trust Fund Programme (BNTF) in the Social Sector Division (SSD) has embarked upon a capacity building exercise for the implementing agencies (IA) in its 10 participating countries. This exercise is aimed at strengthening the human resources, as well as the systems for improved financial management and administration of the BNTF country projects. 13 accounting and administration officers and Finance Managers from Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, are currently participating in a three-day training workshop which commenced today, Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at the CDB headquarters in Barbados. Specifically, the initiative seeks to achieve four main objectives: (1) improve the financial management of BNTF country projects across our participating members, while promoting compliance with the Bank's and Governments' procedures and policies; (2) broaden awareness of risks associated with financial non-compliance or mis-management; (3) ensure establishment of IA accounting, filing and record-keeping systems that meet the required standards set by the BNTF programme; and (4) encourage the sharing of good practices in financial management systems across the IAs. In his address to the group today, CDB's Director (Acting) of Projects, Mr. Andrew Dupigny, notes, "Underpinning the objectives of the training are the core themes of sharing knowledge and practice with each other, being accountable and good stewards of the finance of country projects, and producing reliable and timely data in a strong control environment." During the workshop, participants will focus on several areas including: financial accounting, budgeting and reporting; internal controls and risk management; account and fund reconciliations; claims processing; special account management and reconciliation; external audit compliance and filing, record keeping and administration. There will also be a presentation by Belize sharing best practices of the Belize Social Investment Fund. The workshop is being facilitated by Prestige Accounting Inc.'s Managing Director, Mr. David Simpson, as well as co-facilitators Mr. Oral Dowell and Ms. Olivet Hinds. Participants in the three-day training workshop with members of CDB's BNTF team and workshop facilitators.