As Borges famously remarked, “Reality is not always probable, or likely.” So it seems in Latin America and the Caribbean: of all possible outcomes the one we have lived through is not the one many would have predicted. Moreover, as we look to the future, current forecasts display marked differences across countries and are subject to very high uncertainty. As this year … [Read more...] about Living in the Age of Uncertainty
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Latin America and Trump: the IDB's Chief Economist Identifies Potential Opportunities for the Region
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
BREXIT: What Does It Mean for Latin America and the Caribbean?
The UK is a country of just 242 thousand square kilometers (compared to Mexico’s 1.9 mn, Argentina’s 2.7 mn and Brazil’s 8.4 mn) located about 7,000 km from Barbados and more than 7,500 km from anywhere on the mainland of Latin America (it’s just over 7,500 km from London to Simon Bolivar airport, Caracas and over 8,000 km to the Yucatan).[1] Considering Latin America’s two … [Read more...] about BREXIT: What Does It Mean for Latin America and the Caribbean?
Help the Economy, Save the Environment
Latin America and the Caribbean rang in World Environment Day June 5th with much to celebrate. Home to the world’s largest expanse of tropical forest, its greatest species diversity, and some of its most abundant renewable energy resources, the region is ever more conscious of the importance of the environment to its future. Moreover, that awareness is spurring new initiatives … [Read more...] about Help the Economy, Save the Environment
The Policy Conundrum in Latin America and the Caribbean: Let’s Revisit the Trade Agenda!
The IDB’s 2016 Macro Report Time to Act outlines the tough policy conundrum facing the region: low growth to 2020, monetary policy—where it exists—limited by higher inflation and many countries being forced into pro-cyclical fiscal adjustment. What can countries do to boost economic activity, lower the risks of a high debt-low growth spiral and defend the social gains made in … [Read more...] about The Policy Conundrum in Latin America and the Caribbean: Let’s Revisit the Trade Agenda!