Caribbean economies have recovered from the pandemic-induced recession, but one legacy that lingers is public debt accumulation. This was an inevitable consequence of the sharp economic decline and social needs created by the pandemic, and with the recovery, progress has been made in lowering the burden of public debt. Yet, average debt levels remain elevated, and changing … [Read more...] about A New Year’s Fiscal Resolution: Deal with Debt in the Caribbean
Guyana
Empowering the Caribbean: A Journey Towards Sustainable Energy
In the vibrant and culturally diverse region of the Caribbean, there is an essential element that fuels the dreams and aspirations of its people. It is the lifeblood that powers their play, dance, and imagination. However, the Caribbean faces numerous energy challenges, with hurricanes and earthquakes often leaving communities without electricity. Moreover, the heavy reliance … [Read more...] about Empowering the Caribbean: A Journey Towards Sustainable Energy
A bird’s eye view on project execution in Guyana
During the pandemic, the IDB Country Office in Guyana embraced drone technology to advance project supervision, an innovative way of yielding greater value in project execution. “What date was that picture taken?” asks the contractor looking at an image of a road construction project in Georgetown, Guyana. “On May 4,” the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) … [Read more...] about A bird’s eye view on project execution in Guyana
Headwinds facing the post-pandemic recovery in the Caribbean
After two tumultuous years, 2023 remains characterized by headwinds facing countries across the world. Our previous publications have highlighted the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 shock to economies across the Caribbean region, particularly given its extreme dependence on external demand for resources, tourism, and finance. Just as the pandemic’s effects began to … [Read more...] about Headwinds facing the post-pandemic recovery in the Caribbean
Six Recommendations to Ensure Guyana’s Oil Wealth is More Financially Inclusive
Guyana’s economy is on the verge of a historic transformation following recent oil discoveries. Financial sector development and inclusion will be crucial to maximize the benefits of faster growth and increased revenues. However, financial access and inclusion in the country are lagging, which hinders firms’ productivity and performance. A new publication from IDB economists … [Read more...] about Six Recommendations to Ensure Guyana’s Oil Wealth is More Financially Inclusive