RAMP Voices: Wendy D’Arbasie, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

Meet: Wendy D’Arbasie, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

• RAMP Voices is a series by the World Bank Treasury Reserve Advisory & Management Partnership (RAMP) that highlights members’ contributions to the Partnership.
• Wendy D’Arbasie is Manager of the Reserves and Domestic Market Management at the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago, where she is responsible for managing foreign currency reserves, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, domestic market operations.
• Wendy likes most the practicality and dynamism of the reserve management. She previously held the positions as Banking Operations Manager, Domestic Markets Manager and Chief Risk Officer.

What are the top three reasons your institution joined RAMP?

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago joined RAMP to modernize our reserve management operations, build internal capacity, and network with similar institutions.

What do you appreciate most about RAMP?

We greatly appreciate RAMP’s ongoing training and technical assistance.

Name one lesson you have learned from another RAMP member.

We have learned the value of partnership through our interactions with other members. RAMP’s overall value is its status as a trusted partner to help us meet our short- and long-term goals.

What’s your favorite RAMP resource?

Our favorite resource is the entire knowledge base of RAMP—the training, consultations, and weekly market reports.

What's your favorite workshop?

Although it is difficult to pick, we found two workshops—ESG Investing for Public Investors and Managing an External Asset Manager Program—to be timely and practical.

Describe one of the most memorable moments working with RAMP.

I recall our initial implementation of the Portfolio Management System with RAMP because it was a momentous achievement and a critical next step in advancing our capacity.

Name the top three things with which RAMP has helped you, your team, or your institution.

For the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago, RAMP helped with the: (1) modernization of the reserve management process, including establishing the SAA framework for the management of the foreign currency reserve investment portfolio as well as supporting operational arrangements; (2) establishment of the strategic asset allocation for the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund, the country’s sovereign wealth fund; and, (3) capacity building in fixed income management.

Has your institution participated in the RAMP Survey on Central Bank Reserve Management Practices?

Yes.

Have you used the Benchmarking Analysis Tool? If so, what did you use it for?

No, but we are interested.

What do you look forward to next in your work with RAMP?

We look forward to a technical advisory mission geared towards implementing additional instruments in the portfolio to assist in managing portfolio risk.

What’s the next product or service RAMP should offer?

Given the increased focus on sustainable investments, RAMP should consider expanding training and technical assistance on ESG investing and risk management. This would help members have a better understanding of ESG’s risk-return trade-off.