Are you a business owner who would like to expand operations but find it difficult to get a loan from a bank? Are you an entrepreneur with an innovative idea that has market value but finding someone to invest in your project seems an impossible task? If that is the case, you are not alone! The new issue of IDB’s Caribbean Economics Quarterly covers the topic of finance … [Read more...] about A more robust financial sector would strengthen firms in Barbados
Suriname
Partnering with the police to end gender-based violence
Before joining the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), I was a journalist working in the Caribbean. The police were among the key stakeholders with whom I interacted almost daily. Even with this close ‘working relationship’ I realised that I had—until recently—very limited knowledge about the work of law enforcement. This may be true for most people who do not engage with … [Read more...] about Partnering with the police to end gender-based violence
Improving access to finance for women entrepreneurs and smaller enterprises crucial for the Caribbean
Access to adequate finance is critical to any business. For the most vulnerable - smaller firms and those owned and operated by women - finance is the lifeblood. Financing allows businesses to improve their services, expand to different markets, provide jobs in their communities, and contribute to the growth of the economy. New joint research from the IDB’s Caribbean … [Read more...] about Improving access to finance for women entrepreneurs and smaller enterprises crucial for the Caribbean
Successful digital transformation: It’s not just about technology…
What are the factors affecting the digitalization of the labor markets and the widening skills gap? One + one (1+1) is not equal to successful digital transformation. Performance and cost are two key drivers of technological development. As transistors increasingly fit into smaller spaces, processing power is increased and energy efficiency improved, all at a lower cost for … [Read more...] about Successful digital transformation: It’s not just about technology…
Making better messages: Can behavioral design improve disaster risk communications?
Typically, Disaster Risk Management (DRM) agencies assume that vulnerable populations will act on informational advisories, internalizing messaging accordingly to secure their safety. They assume that once appropriate information is received that people will behave in the way advised. This isn’t always the case. The sheer divergence of personal risk management behaviors … [Read more...] about Making better messages: Can behavioral design improve disaster risk communications?