Throughout most of urban history, humanity has used nature’s resources to build cities and to release carbon dioxide at a rate that was well within Earth’s budget. However, beginning in the early 1970s, unsustainable growth accelerated and today, humans are now using 1.7 times the amount of Earth’s resources. This means that by July 29th each year, we will have consumed more … [Read more...] about Caribbean Cities and the Sustainable Development Goals
Trinidad and Tobago
How can Trinidad and Tobago’s private sector become an innovative driver of growth?
The main revenue earner and driver of economic growth -the energy sector- has crashed. Trinidad and Tobago is increasingly looking towards other players in the economy -the private sector- to take on a greater role in stimulating an economic recovery by increasing investment and employment, and earning foreign exchange. The question is whether the private sector in its … [Read more...] about How can Trinidad and Tobago’s private sector become an innovative driver of growth?
Things that the Nation Needs: Effective Public Financial Management
By Kamau Joseph (@kamauj_868) In a time riddled with uncertainty, how governments manage public finances can significantly impact the country’s debt burden, the fiscal space within which they operate and the lives of their constituents, especially those who belong to the working class. A World Bank report published in 2015 stated, “In most Caribbean countries, the public … [Read more...] about Things that the Nation Needs: Effective Public Financial Management
Why we need Economic Diversification in Trinidad and Tobago
Economic diversification in Trinidad and Tobago is imperative, although diversification away from the energy sector has largely failed. A country with a perfectly diversified export portfolio will have an index close to 0 (most diversified), whereas a country that exports only one product or to one country will have a value of 1 (least diversified). In Trinidad and Tobago, … [Read more...] about Why we need Economic Diversification in Trinidad and Tobago
The People’s Money: Getting Procurement Right
Procurement Right from Caribbean Country Department IDB on Vimeo. Public Procurement refers to the spending of taxpayers' money by the government to acquire various goods and services for delivery to the public. Better road networks, hospital facilities and schools are just a few of the public goods that procurement delivers. Considering the limited resources available … [Read more...] about The People’s Money: Getting Procurement Right