In January of this year, Minister Marsha Caddle of Barbados announced the creation of a Doing Business (DB) subcommittee with the objective of improving the country’s ranking in the World Bank’s Doing Business indicator (DBI). In announcing a specific desire to climb in the Doing Business ranking, Barbados joins countries like Jamaica, China, India and Russia. In light of the … [Read more...] about Doing Business in the Caribbean, or Not?
Podcast Series: Financial Development and Inclusion in Jamaica and the Caribbean
Here is a new feature from the IDB’s Caribbean Country Department: Improving Caribbean Lives podcasts for in-depth discussions of emerging Caribbean development ideas and trends. Listen to the series included in some of our blogs and also available on SoundCloud. A recent Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) publication entitled: “Jamaica: Financial Development, Access … [Read more...] about Podcast Series: Financial Development and Inclusion in Jamaica and the Caribbean
Will automation undermine or enhance human development?
Imagine a community without trending conversations around the new world of work, artificial intelligence, and disruptive technology? One word – Obsolete. In an effort to spark dialogue and new perspectives, Dr. Allan Wright, the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) economist in Nassau, recently gave a presentation at The University of The Bahamas (UB) on the economic … [Read more...] about Will automation undermine or enhance human development?
A successful strategy to prevent violence against women: a closer look at the SASA! model
Violence against women (VAW) is a violation of human rights as well as a serious public health and public security challenge. Gender and power inequalities are at the root of this epidemic, which leads to worsening women’s vulnerability and increasing the frequency of their victimization. Research indicates that the cost of VAW worldwide could amount to approximately $1.5 … [Read more...] about A successful strategy to prevent violence against women: a closer look at the SASA! model
Are Caribbean Countries prepared to address their need for pension systems reform?
The Caribbean continues to be be generally perceived as a region of predominantly young people, but, just like in the rest of the Americas, it is rapidly aging. Due to demographic changes, adults aged 65 and over will comprise one fifth of the Caribbean region's population by the year 2050. This transition will take place in a very short period, as shown in the following graph. … [Read more...] about Are Caribbean Countries prepared to address their need for pension systems reform?