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
Caribbean development
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
Financial Access for Firms: Jamaica’s Challenges and Opportunities
Jamaica’s successful and sustained reform efforts over the past decade have laid the foundation for more rapid financial development, but findings suggest that access to finance remains a major obstacle to investment, innovation, and development for firms across the region—particularly smaller enterprises and those led by women. Download A new joint … [Read more...] about Financial Access for Firms: Jamaica’s Challenges and Opportunities
5 Obstacles to Overcome for a more Productive Caribbean
Caribbean economies have hardly grown in the last 30 years. The last significant growth was in the 1980s when tourism and banana production expanded, but has since declined due to the loss of competitiveness in the bananas market and the emergence of other tourism destinations. To make matters worse, the Caribbean countries are severely indebted and have very limited options to … [Read more...] about 5 Obstacles to Overcome for a more Productive Caribbean
Improving Rural Electrification in Suriname
For decades, a high-voltage transmission line has passed through the Amerindian village of Powakka, located in the district of Para in Suriname, without benefiting the community. The 161kV transmission line transports to Paramaribo the electricity generated by the Afobaka Hydropower Plant, historically the country’s main source of electricity. However, the village never had a … [Read more...] about Improving Rural Electrification in Suriname