Finance officials from small countries have praised the island for its warm welcome.
The fifth Small Countries Financial Management Programme took place at the Nunnery last week before moving on to Oxford this week.
Executive director Tim Cullen said it was a ‘wonderful’ group of people and praised the island’s government for helping to secure the programme’s longer term future. Intensive classes were taking place all week but on Wednesday night a reception was held at Government House.
And on Thursday night there was a glittering celebratory dinner at the Villa Marina organised by Peter Long, chairman of the Capital International Group.
Delegates were over the moon with the way they had been welcomed and the quality and quantity of the programme with a world-class line-up of lecturers.
Ismael Naukosho, a high ranking official from the Bank of Namibia. said the programme was helping him ‘think outside the box’ and he would certainly return to Africa buoyed up with plenty to help him cope with the challenges ahead.
Nelmah Joseph from the Solomon Islands and Serah Obed from Vanuatua also praised the genuine island greeting.
Momodou Njie, deputy director and head of risk mana gement in the Central Bank of the Gambia, said: ‘So far the course has been very informative and knowledgeable.
‘Definitely with the way it ig going by the end of the programme every participant will be able to deal with their respective challenges appropriately when they go back to their countries.
‘On my behalf, based on the lecturers we have heard so far, I am certain that my challenges will be addressed by the end of the programme.’
Tim Cullen, executive director of the programme told Business News: ‘This is a really wonderful group of people. They bonded almost instantly which is really great.
‘You have people from the Caribbean, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, mainland Africa and one person from Europe, Montenegro, all sitting, having their meals together, but they are dead serious in the classes and they are really good.’
Twenty four people from 22 countries have been taking part in classes at The Nunnery.
Among the lecturers was Gregory Ambrosio from Miami who was teaching on cash forecasting for governments which includes topics such as cash mangement and interacts closely with debt management.
Deemster David Doyle hosted the reception in the absence of the governor Adam Wood, who was off the island and sent his apologies.
Mr Doyle told everyone: ‘On behalf of His Excellency I would like to extend to each and every one of you a very warm Manx welcome to Government House here in the sunny Isle of Man.
‘It is good to see people from so many different countries gathered here on this wonderful little island.
‘Nowadays I am pleased to report that we tend to see the issues of the day through the eyes of the world.
‘We are all a part of a very small global community and we are all dependent upon each other for our very survival.
‘We also have a great deal to learn from each other.The Isle of Man is extremely proud to host this event. This event speaks volumes for our genuine desire to occupy a responsible place in the world.
‘So you are all very welcome here . I hope you enjoy and you learn from your time in the island and that we too learn from your knowledge and experiences from your home countries and jurisdictions. And during your deliberations on economic, regulatory and financial matters please do not forget to remember that the rule of law adds economic value. That is important.’