The COVID-19 pandemic caught the world by surprise, causing an unprecedented health emergency. Caribbean countries adopted containment measures to slow the spread of the disease and flatten the curve[1] based on prior experiences and lessons around the world. Actions ranged from limits to social activities and closure of non-essential businesses, to curfew hours and complete … [Read more...] about COVID-19 in the Caribbean: The Economic Challenges Ahead
Basel III and public-private partnerships: the butterfly effect
“The flutter of a butterfly’s wings can cause a hurricane halfway around the world.” This simple phrase introducing chaos theory may also sum up the impact that Basel III capital regulations could have on available finance for public-private partnerships (PPPs). The new capital regulations being implemented under Basel III are part of efforts to strengthen the requirements … [Read more...] about Basel III and public-private partnerships: the butterfly effect
PPPs in Brazil: A solution to infrastructure needs or a problem for fiscal sustainability?
The Public Private Partnership (PPP) market in Brazil is extremely active and has played a central role in policymakers’ agendas for decades. In total, 773 projects have reached financial closure in the last 20 years in Brazil, according to the World Bank’s Private Participation in Infrastructure database. These projects represent about one fifth of all private investment in … [Read more...] about PPPs in Brazil: A solution to infrastructure needs or a problem for fiscal sustainability?