Ironically, while thoroughly entertaining myself elbow-deep in Guyanese pepper-pot, I received a work request over the weekend to address the issue of Caribbean identity. I also became aware of a heated on-going debate on our blog as to how we should define and boundary the concept of “the Caribbean” – past colonial affiliations; imaginary lines in the deep blue sea; economic … [Read more...] about What do you mean by “Caribbean” anyway?
Jamaica
Is there something wrong with the Caribbean?
This blog is the second in our series of five blogs on economic stagnation in the Caribbean. Our first blog “Smallness hurts, but does it constrain growth?” showed that, while smallness creates several economic problems, it does not constrain growth. With that as a starting point, in this post we illustrate two important ways in which the Caribbean stands … [Read more...] about Is there something wrong with the Caribbean?
Four Climate-Smart Business Opportunities in Jamaica and the Caribbean
If we contemplate climate change long enough, it seems like we all lose. However, if you really want to talk about the equivalent of an unfair penalty or missed offside call, look around Jamaica. Ten hurricanes ravaged the country in the last five years, each causing damages of approximately US$100 million. The rainy season is longer, droughts follow that exacerbate … [Read more...] about Four Climate-Smart Business Opportunities in Jamaica and the Caribbean
Jamaica Nuff Problem mon!
https://vimeo.com/81012789 I was in Jamaica to attend the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Partnership Forum and decided to participate in a session called Fighting Climate Change through Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean, hoping to pick some fellow colleagues brains and discuss some synergies in our work. Just in time when a gracious lady opened her presentation with the … [Read more...] about Jamaica Nuff Problem mon!
Big Jump in the Doing Business Indicator Ranking, More Improvements Expected
50-what? That was my reaction when the IDB representative told me the news that Jamaica had moved up in the World Bank’s Doing Business indicator from 94 in 2014 to 58 in 2015 (the World Bank changed the methodology, so officially they moved from 85 to 58, not too bad either). We all know that Jamaica is in the process of doing a series of reforms that will positively impact … [Read more...] about Big Jump in the Doing Business Indicator Ranking, More Improvements Expected