Barbados’ economy is faced with numerous macroeconomic challenges. During the period 2009 to 2013, the economy cumulatively contracted by 0.5 percent. This economic reduction is estimated by the IMF to continue for this year due partly to declining competitiveness especially in the tourism sector. This makes Barbados the only CARICOM country with negative growth for 2014. The … [Read more...] about Macroeconomic Challenges for Barbados
economy
Doing Business in the Third Coolest Nation in the World
Jamaica – Cool People, Chilly Business Climate The CNN recently published a list of the 10 coolest nationalities, ranking Jamaicans in the third spot (behind Brazilians and Singaporeans but before Mongolians). Regrettably, Jamaica does not always rank so high, especially not when it concerns the economy or doing business. It is well known that Jamaica does poorly in the World … [Read more...] about Doing Business in the Third Coolest Nation in the World
Known Unknowns or Unknown Unknowns?
The State of Statistics in the Caribbean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4afwHDCR70 In an increasingly globalized and information-thirsty world, getting the Caribbean name known will depend on good data. We all know of the great Caribbean stars: Usain Bolt is ‘the fastest man in the world’, and Bob Marley is ‘one of the greatest lyricists ever’. These opinions … [Read more...] about Known Unknowns or Unknown Unknowns?
What’s Cricket Got to Do with it?
There are strong and intriguing parallels between the performances of the West Indian Cricket team and the region’s economy during the past three decades. The Windies’ successes remained sporadic until the 1960s, when the side changed from a white-dominated to a black-dominated team – the Windies became more inclusive and more competitive where team selection was based on … [Read more...] about What’s Cricket Got to Do with it?
“Let It Be”—An Economic Strategy of Benign Neglect?
Many Caribbean economies have not only been steadily declining relative to other small economies but currently face unstable macroeconomic imbalances. Hence face the need for stabilisation cum reform policy. Just like Estragon muttering “nothing to be done” in Beckett’s play one policy option, probably less painful upfront, is to wait it out. That is to wait for a world … [Read more...] about “Let It Be”—An Economic Strategy of Benign Neglect?