ECCB Hosts Panel Discussion to Commemorate 50 Years of EC Dollar Peg

26 June 2026, Basseterre, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) will host a special panel discussion at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium on 1 July to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar's fixed exchange rate peg to the United States (US) dollar.

The panel discussion will be held under the theme: "EC PEG AT 50: Celebrating Progress, Charting the Future," from 6:00 p.m. Director of News, Sports, and Current Affairs at ABS Television & Radio in Antigua and Barbuda, L. Garfield Burford, will moderate the discussion.

The distinguished panel features a cross-section of regional leadership, policy expertise, and youth advocacy:

• Timothy N.J. Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank;
• Rosamund Edwards, former Appointed Director (2005-2020) on the ECCB Board of Directors;
• Dr Wendell Samuel, Acting Assistant Secretary-General at the CARICOM Secretariat and Head of the Economic Integration, Innovation, and Development Directorate; and
• Alrica Antoine, General Secretary of the Saint Lucia National Youth Council.

On 7 July 1976, the exchange rate for Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) member countries was pegged at EC$2.70 to US$1.00. The foundation of the ECCB's monetary policy is the fixed exchange rate between the EC dollar and the US dollar. Strong foreign reserves have helped support this arrangement and preserve confidence in the EC dollar. As a result, inflation has remained low and relatively stable, while saving, investment, trade, and economic growth have benefited from a predictable economic environment.

The legal framework of the ECCB Agreement underpins the durability of this arrangement. Under Article 24(2), the Bank is required to maintain external reserves at not less than
60.0 per cent of its demand liabilities and currency in circulation. In addition, under Article 17(2), any change to the exchange rate parity requires a unanimous decision of both the Monetary Council and the Board of Directors. This rules-based framework has helped maintain the stability and credibility of the EC dollar over the past 50 years.

The panel discussion will reflect on the peg's contribution to the region's development and examine its strategic role in an evolving global economy.

Broadcast and Viewing Information
The commemorative event will be accessible worldwide via livestream on the official ECCB Connects Facebook Page and YouTube Channel. The ECCB also invites the public to tune in for live transmission of the discussion on radio and television stations in its eight member countries from 6:00 p.m. Select stations will also provide simulcast on their social media networks. Please check local listings for exact availability.

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About the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) was established in October 1983. The ECCB is the Monetary Authority for: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

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