COVID-19 is taking an unprecedented (albeit still unknown) toll on Caribbean region’s economic growth. According to the recently published Caribbean Quarterly Bulletin, the decline in the tourism industry will particularly affect The Bahamas, Barbados and Jamaica. Plummeting international commodity prices are having severe consequences in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and … [Read more...] about COVID-19, The Caribbean Crisis
Barriers to Financial Access in Barbados—Key Challenges and Focal Areas for Reform
The mobilization of domestic financial resources is increasingly recognized as an important development challenge for countries around the world—this is also true for Barbados. Barriers to financial access act as a brake on private sector investment and growth, with adverse implications for broader economic development objectives. In order to shed light on this issue, our … [Read more...] about Barriers to Financial Access in Barbados—Key Challenges and Focal Areas for Reform
Four key reforms to bring back economic growth to Barbados
It has often been said that times of crisis can often lead to opportunity for change. Barbados is no stranger to this concept, having faced macroeconomic challenges during the past decade, including low growth, high government spending compared to revenue collection, elevated debt levels and declining international reserves (see Figures 1 to 4). This has led to an ambitious set … [Read more...] about Four key reforms to bring back economic growth to Barbados
Improving refugee integration, a Caribbean perspective
The number of refugees is at a record high worldwide and the Caribbean is no exception. How refugees are integrated into the communities that receive them is becoming a key development issue, for the Caribbean and other regions. This blog takes the opportunity to review some key trends and issues relating to refugees in the Caribbean region and analyzes factors that impact … [Read more...] about Improving refugee integration, a Caribbean perspective
A New Chapter of Engagement
For 50 years the Inter-American Development Bank has been partnering with the people of Barbados. Now, at a crucial time in its history, this relationship is stronger than ever. As Barbados’ leading multilateral partner our relationship with the island nation extends far beyond its present macro-economic reform agenda. We’re looking ahead to the next 50 years, taking it five … [Read more...] about A New Chapter of Engagement