IDB member countries in the Caribbean are feeling the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The lifeblood of tourism has stopped flowing to The Bahamas, Barbados and Jamaica. Falling commodity prices are impacting Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. All are grappling to control a public health crisis that is straining human and financial resources. IDB experts … [Read more...] about Coronavirus and the Caribbean: economic implications and options
Caribbean Conversations
Helping the Caribbean in a pandemic
Cruise ships are docked. Flights are grounded and tourists are staying home. As the coronavirus grinds the world economy to a halt, the small, open economies of the Caribbean are taking a hard hit. The Bahamas, Barbados and Jamaica are dependent on tourism. Oil and natural gas prices are plunging, hurting Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago. A recent exploration … [Read more...] about Helping the Caribbean in a pandemic
COVID-19: Tourism-Based Shock Scenarios for Caribbean Countries
The COVID-19 outbreak could have considerable implications for Caribbean citizens and their economies. The magnitude of this impact will depend crucially on the spread of the virus, the duration of the outbreak, and measures countries in the region and elsewhere undertake to insulate themselves. It will also have much to do with country economic structures—particularly tourism … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Tourism-Based Shock Scenarios for Caribbean Countries
The hard facts about gender equality in the Caribbean
Tricia loves math and science. She has always excelled at them too. She is now completing her last semester at The University of the West Indies where she majors in Computer Science with a focus on cybersecurity. Because of her position as a top student, at least two of the region’s premiere financial institutions are hoping to hire her as a Security Software Developer. As she … [Read more...] about The hard facts about gender equality in the Caribbean
Capturing the Diaspora Experience and Imagination with Art
“Time is a promise and memories are a promise,” are wise words from Haitian American artist Charles Jean-Pierre as he reflects on the meaning behind his latest art exhibit in Washington D.C. Future Memories: Exploring the Diasporic Imagination II, the title of the exhibit running February 12 to March 27, 2020 at the IDB’s Staff Association Art Gallery, was inspired by … [Read more...] about Capturing the Diaspora Experience and Imagination with Art