The group reviewed the challenges facing the banking sector and how training can improve standards, quality and, ultimately, profits.

The banking sector is critical to economic development and private sector growth. Sound banks and banking practices can determine whether or not businesses succeed and, indeed, prosper. Since 2004 and through projects such as Economic Development and Growth for Enterprises (EDGE), USAID has been working to improve the standards and capacity of the Turkish Cypriot banking sector by improving its human capital. Accomplishments in this area, which include the development of over ten banking courses and the training of over two hundred banking professionals, were the topic of an interactive discussion with a group of over fifteen bankers led by USAID Representative Alan Davis. The group reviewed the challenges facing the banking sector and how training can improve standards, quality and, ultimately, profits. Like all U.S. Government programs in Cyprus, EDGE is aimed at facilitating reunification of the island, including through responsible and private sector-led economic growth.