COVID-19 in Barbados is proving to be a perfect example of what Nassim Nicholas Taleb termed a “black swan”. It is a rare event, with an extreme impact and which, in retrospect, could have been predicted. As discussed in our latest Caribbean Quarterly Report July 2020, the pandemic reached Barbados in March 2020 and has since been putting both lives and livelihoods at stake in … [Read more...] about When Facing a Black Swan, Let’s Work Together
Barbados
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
Search for Tutor Leads to Innovative Start-Up
By Karen Mahy His unassuming demeanour and gentle nature belies the passion and determination of his entrepreneurial spirit…Michael Husbands is a dedicated parent and husband whose search for a tutor for his 14-year-old daughter started a whirlwind process that led to the creation of an ambitious start-up - Global Tutoring Hub (GTH) and Podium. Michael explains: “It all … [Read more...] about Search for Tutor Leads to Innovative Start-Up
Innovation hub to support budding entrepreneurs
Featured Photo: Naudia Banton of Communitech (second left) and Lisa Cummins of University of West Indies Consulting (third left) engaging entrepreneurs at a female Founders Bootcamp in the TEN Habitat hub By Pamala Proverbs Barbadian entrepreneurs now have a global network of startup support and a structure designed to expedite the development of their ventures with … [Read more...] about Innovation hub to support budding entrepreneurs