Latin America, like the rest of the world, cautiously awaits the beginning of Donald Trump's presidency in the United States. There is great anticipation to see if the president elect fulfills his campaign promises—many of them already played down—and how his government's policies affect the region. In an interview with the Spanish daily El País, the IDB's chief economist, José … [Read more...] about Latin America and Trump: the IDB’s Chief Economist Identifies Potential Opportunities for the Region
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Researchers Rally to Combat Pollution and Disease
The rivers run thick with sewage and agricultural chemicals. They flow with detergents, carry fertilizers, and yield pathogens that spread diarrheal diseases, hepatitis and other infections. Latin America has nearly one-third of the world's fresh water resources, with high mountain glaciers and grand rivers like the Amazon and Orinoco. But, according to the United Nations … [Read more...] about Researchers Rally to Combat Pollution and Disease
IDB Offers MOOC on Macroeconomic Growth and Stability
The Inter-American Development Bank is offering the second edition of its Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the principal problems and challenges of macroeconomic growth and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean. Two new modules in the course focus on the financial sector and productive development policies. Entitled Latin American Macroeconomic Reality, the free, … [Read more...] about IDB Offers MOOC on Macroeconomic Growth and Stability
Riding the Commodities Roller Coaster in Latin America
Commodity booms and busts are nearly as old as the discovery in Latin America of copper, coal and oil. But after the exhilarating rise of commodity prices during 2004-2012, the most recent descent, with its painful manifestations of contracting economies, fiscal deficits, currency depreciations and inflation, has struck the region particularly hard. But how hard? And why? A … [Read more...] about Riding the Commodities Roller Coaster in Latin America
IDB Chief Economist Reflects on Region
The LinkedIn page of José Juan Ruiz, the IDB's chief economist, shows not a photo of himself but a drawing by the iconic Spanish cartoonist Andrés Rábago, alias El Roto, depicting an exhausted traveler and emigrant draped over his suitcase, deep in sleep. "The dreams of a nation produce exiles," says the caption over the weary man. It is a fitting observation for Ruiz, a … [Read more...] about IDB Chief Economist Reflects on Region