Caribbean Outlook 3: Economic recovery and repositioning in the era of COVID-19. Policy Brief

The economies of the subregion were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those dependent on tourism. As a result, the Caribbean has seen a reversal of the hard-won gains achieved in growing their economies and reducing unemployment and inequality. The inflation stemming from pandemic supply chain disruption, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has made the sustained uptick in economic performance beyond pre-pandemic levels unlikely, notwithstanding strong growth estimates for 2021 and 2022. The last two years have taught the region that continued ‘business as usual’ is…

Caribbean trade and integration: trends and future prospects

This paper analyses recent trends and future prospects in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), an incomplete customs union of 15 States in the Caribbean that includes most English speaking countries in the region plus Haiti and Suriname. In these small economies, the promotion of exports is of utmost importance, as in the medium term these are the only means to pay for the import of capital goods, intermediate inputs and technology necessary to build up their economic infrastructure. This study reviews first the progress made with reforms to complete the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) …

Recovery measures for the tourism sector in Latin America and the Caribbean present an opportunity to promote sustainability and resilience

Desde abril de 2020, el turismo en la región se ha detenido temporalmente como resultado de la pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19). Esta parálisis no solo ha afectado duramente a las economías y el empleo del Caribe, sino también a muchas comunidades locales de América Latina. En este informe se examina la contribución del turismo a las exportaciones, el producto interno bruto (PIB) y el empleo, así como la reciente disminución de esta actividad en la región. Un escenario del impacto muestra que la caída del turismo podría llevar a una disminución del crecimiento del PIB total…

Caribbean in Brief: an information document for Caribbean Small Island Developing States

This brief is intended to provide general information on the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference on scaling up ocean actions based on science and innovation for the implementation of Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), with a view to stimulating more active, engaged participation of the Caribbean in the discussions. The United Nations Ocean Conference will be co-chaired by Kenya and Portugal, and hosted by the Government of Portugal in Lisbon, during 2021. The objective of this conference is consistent with the 2017 UN General Assembly proclamation on the Decade of Oce…

Strategies for Post COVID-19 Recovery in the Caribbean

Main challenges for cruise industry in the Caribbean

Special Session at the Conference Cartagena dialogue on “Cruise, Ports and Cities”…

Strategies for increasing economic resilience in the Caribbean