Despite tremendous strides towards economic stabilization, fiscal responsibility, and debt reduction, financial sector depth and development in Jamaica lags behind many of its peers. Recent improvements in institutional capacity, policy discipline, and structural factors suggest that there is considerable scope to accelerate financial sector development and to broaden access … [Read more...] about Why is financial inclusion so important, and what common challenges does Jamaica face? (Part 2)
What’s holding back financial deepening and development in Jamaica? (Part 1)
Despite tremendous strides towards economic stabilization, fiscal responsibility, and debt reduction, financial sector development, access, and inclusion in Jamaica lag behind many of its peers. Recent improvements in institutional capacity, policy discipline, and structural factors suggest that there is considerable scope to accelerate financial sector development and to … [Read more...] about What’s holding back financial deepening and development in Jamaica? (Part 1)
The Caribbean Economic Outlook in Three Graphs
Economists are a depressing bunch. Our role is to anticipate and assess risks, which one could argue makes us too despondent. And if you’re lucky enough to get an optimistic outlook from one of us, it will follow by something like ‘on the other hand, the risks are skewed to the downside’. That said, we just published the December 2018 Caribbean Regional Quarterly Bulletin, … [Read more...] about The Caribbean Economic Outlook in Three Graphs
Accelerating the Accelerator
Since its launch in August 2018, the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator has been searching for a leader. Now, after a thorough recruitment process, respected Caribbean business leader, Racquel Moses has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer. She is impressively qualified and experienced, but most importantly she’s fueled by our hope for a new Climate-Smart Caribbean. … [Read more...] about Accelerating the Accelerator
A friend in need is a friend indeed: IDB support for Barbados moves into high gear
An election year is always a very active period for the Inter-American Development Bank. Even when an incumbent administration is returned to office, this period signals that it is time for a new Country Strategy to be prepared, with new areas of intervention, goals and expected results. In Barbados, the general election on May 24th , 2018 was no ordinary change in government … [Read more...] about A friend in need is a friend indeed: IDB support for Barbados moves into high gear