StackPenni Source Bank

## Women’s Power and Community Resilience Rotating Savings and Credit Associations in Barbados and The Bahamas Brent W. Stoffle Richard W. Stoffle Jessica Minnis Kathleen Van Vlack Abstract Rotating Savings and Credit Associations or ROSCA are perceived by many in the Caribbean as derived from West Africa where they were a traditional (pre-colonial) means of accumulating and distributing resources. Brought to the Caribbean as part of the non-material culture of African people, ROSCAs were reestablished and adapted to the new social, economic, and political conditions. Also a challenge for African ancestry peoples was the creation of new communities in a suppressive social environment where such communities were perceived as a threat to established colonial order. This paper is based on historic documents and two separate ethnographic studies involving more than a thousand direct interviews. Although the two studies in Barbados and the central Bahamas had different purposes, both documented that these associa tions emerged as historically and contemporarily important to women and a foundation of their communities. The findings argue that begin ning during slavery ROSCAs were used by women to achieve power (agency) and in so doing provided resilience to their community. Keywords: Rotating Savings and Credit Associations, Barbados, Baha mas, micro-credit Resumen Las Rotativas de Ahorro y Crédito o ROSCA son percibidas por muchos en el Caribe como derivadas de África Occidental, donde eran un tradicional (pre-colonial ) medio de acumulación y distribución de recursos. Transportadas al Caribe como parte de la cultura inmaterial de los pueblos africanos, las ROSCA se restablecieron y se adaptaron a las nuevas condiciones sociales, económicas y políticas. Un desafío para los pueblos de ascendencia africana fue la creación de nuevas comunidades en un entorno social represivo que en dichas comunida des se percibía como una amenaza al orden colonial establecido. Este Caribbean Studies Vol. 42, No. 1 (January - June 2014), 45-69 trabajo se basa en documentos históricos y dos estudios etnográficos separados basados en más de mil entrevistas directas. Aunque los dos estudios realizados en Barbados y las Bahamas centrales tuvieron diferentes propósitos, ambos documentaron que estas asociaciones surgieron históricamente y fueron al mismo tiempo importantes para las mujeres y un pilar para sus comunidades. Los hallazgos sostienen que en tiempos de la esclavitud las ROSCA fueron utilizadas por las mujeres para aumentar su poder (agencia) y al hacerlo, proporcionaron resistencia a su comunidad. Palabras clave: Rotación de Ahorro y Crédito, Barbados, Bahamas, micro-crédito Résumé Beaucoup de gens dans les Caraïbes perçoivent les associations rotatives d’epargne et de crédit ou AREC comme étant originaires d’Afrique de l’ouest où elles étaient un moyen traditionell (pré-colo nial) d’accumulation et de répartitions des ressources. Importées dans les Caraïbes en tant que culture immatérielle du peuple africain, les AREC ont été rétablies et adaptées aux nouvelles conditions sociales, politiques et économiques. Le défi pour les descendants d’Africains, a été la création de nouvelles communautés dans un environnement social suppresif où lesdites communautés étaient perçues comme una menace de l’ordre colonial établi. Cet article s’appuie sur des docu ments historiques et deux études ethnographiques distinctes incluant plus d’une centaine d’entrevues directes. Bien que les deux études menées l’une à la Barbade et l’autre dans le centre des Bahamas ont des objectifs différents, ces dernières convergent pour attester de l’impor tance de ces associations pour les femmes tant sur le plan historique que contemporain. Ce système de coopérative constitue la base de leurs communautés. Les résultats soutiennent que durant l’esclavage les AREC étaient utilisées par les femmes comme moyen d’atteindre le pouvoir (l’agentivité) et, ce faisant procurer de la résilience à leur communauté. Mots-clés : Association rotatives d’epargne et de crédit, La Barbade, les Bahamas, microcrédit T his paper brings interview, oral history, and document data to the question of how women acquired power (often called --- 📄 Full source: https://www.bajanthings.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ROSCAs_Barbados_Bahamas.pdf

10 [cat_name] = News [cat_slug] = news [cat_url] = https://newsday.co.tt/category/news [cat_parent_id] = 10 [cat_parent_name] = News [cat_parent_slug] = news [cat_parent_url] = https://newsday.co.tt/category/news [cat_name_and_parent_name] = [cat_name_and_parent_name_url] = News ) -- Hosein: Remittances 'low-hanging fruit' to ease forex challenges - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday News Sunday 26 January 2025 A stack of $100 bills being run through a money counter. - File photo by Jeff K Mayers MONEY sent back to the country from those who have migrated (remittances) is what economist Dr Roger Hosein believes is 'low-hanging fruit' to help alleviate the country's foreign exchange challenges. Hosein delivered a presentation during the University of the West Indies' webinar on whether Caribbean countries were optimally using remittances to fund development. In his presentation, Hosein calculated the country could benefit from up to US $647.08 million annually if it were to capitalise on the 27 per cent of its population residing abroad in the US, Canada and Europe. "They are not poor. Our diaspora crowd abroad earns a fairly good median income in relation to all US workers over the age of 16 years and therefore have the capacity to remit resources." Hosein acknowledged that there needs to be a multipronged approach to solving the issue such as an increased focus on manufacturing, more foreign direct investment, more tourism and remittances. Data presented by economist Dr Regan Deonanan showed, though increasing, TT only receives around one per cent of GDP in remittances (US $162 million on average annually between 2014 and 2023). He said this is one of the lowest among Caricom countries. Hosein said this equates to around US $131.80 per capita while the Caribbean average is US $594. While Hosein's figure of US $647.08 million is a best-case scenario, he said even a median number like US $400 million is significant. "That's a lot of remittances extra we can get if we were to pursue the right type of policies." Hosein continued: "That's one of the frustrating things to me. This, to me, is a relatively low-hanging fruit." Apart from being a viable source of foreign exchange, Hosein said it could also be a stable one. This conclusion was based on an earlier assessment made by Dr Dilip Ratha, lead economist and economic adviser to the vice president of operations at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) in the World Bank. Dr Ratha said up to 95 per cent of migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) go to the US and find success in its relatively strong job market. This is why he said the region has had strong remittance growth in recent years. He said this is unlikely to change with President Donald Trump's fight against immigration. "They may not decline partly because...when countries back home have difficulty people send more money home. Partly because people who were planning to go back home won't go back home unless they really have to go back home because if they go back, they cannot come back so they will not go back." "So the number of people staying here (in the US), for all you know, might even increase. That would be more remittances going back home. And if people do return back home voluntarily, they will go home with the money they have saved." Ratha said data shows lower and middle-income countries received US $685 billion in remittances in 2024. That's more than the US $382 billion received in foreign direct investments and the US $256 billion received in official development assistance, combined. The World Bank economist advised countries against taxation or regulating recipients of remittances on how the money should be used as a way of gaining access to the money. Instead, he suggested creative approaches like implementing a diaspora bond. "Diaspora bonds could be a very potent way of raising the level of financing in the Caribbean region." "When people send money, they also save money in the US. Migrants save money in the US almost a little more than how much they send to Jamaica or Central American countries or Caribbean countries. So that amount of money sitting in the US is often in a chequing account, or under the mattress...and the interest rate on those kind of savings is either zero or close to zero. "So if Jamaica, or Guyana or Barbados...one of the countries wants to tap into the savings that their migrants have in the US, we could issue a diaspora bond. Face value could be US $500, US $1,000 or US $2,000 and people who have US $1,000 or US $2,000 in their chequing account can buy that bond and the interest rate can be as high as four or five per cent in dollar terms." He also suggested the cost of sending remittances could be lowered to encourage migrants to send money home. 1 2 3

Investing Back Home: The Potential Economic Role of the Caribbean Diaspora Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized © 2016 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because the World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. All queries on rights and licenses should be addressed to the Office of the Publisher, The World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org. Photo Credit: World Bank Photo Library April 2016 2 Investing Back Home: The Potential Economic Role of the Caribbean Diaspora Acronyms and Abbreviations.......................................................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................................................8 Executive Summary ..........................................................................................................................................9 I. Objective of the Study, Scope, and Methodology.................................................................................. 16 II. Context .......................................................................................................................................................... 18 Overview of the Caribbean Region........................................................................................................... 21 Defining the Overall Problem: Lack of Private Investment in the Caribbean.................................25 III. Diaspora and the Potential for a Diaspora-Focused Finance Initiative..........................................28 Sizing the Diaspora Population ................................................................................................................29 Assessing the Diaspora Population’s Potential to Invest ...................................................................33 Investable Assets for the Diaspora: Need vs. Demand........................................................................39 Current Investment Landscape in the Region...................................................................................................39 Current Modes of Diaspora Investment..............................................................................................................60 Market Drivers and Impediments for the Diaspora .............................................................................58 Legal and Regulatory Impediments and Drivers for the Diaspora ...................................................65 U.S. Investment Regulation and Taxation...........................................................................................................68 Canada Investment Regulation and Taxation................................................................................................... 70 United Kingdom Investment Regulation and Taxation—Executive Summary.................................... 73 The Business Environment ........................................................................................................................75 --- 📄 Full source: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/990601467315599193/pdf/105761-REVISED-CDI-Report-FinalLatest-PUBLIC.pdf

Assessing Diaspora Remittances' Impact on Caribbean Economies - CaribbeanFocus Close Menu Breaking News: - The U.S. Moves In: How Venezuela’s Oil Could Reshape The Caribbean’s Future - WATCH: Conduct Yourselves with Dignity on Election Day, ABEC Chairman Urges Ahead of April 30 Vote – Antigua News - Trinidad: Government denies approving increased air fares to Tobago - Government exploring option of bidding to host major international sports meets - Dominican Republic economy grows 5.1% in March, highest in 11 months amid global uncertainty - Daily News Limited – Newsday – Notice to Creditors 2026 - This Just Might Be the Most Unforgettable Place in Puerto Rico - Alliyette’s Karnival Collection turns Caribbean joy into wearable gold – Caribbean Life Share In a region marked by economic challenges and developmental disparities, diaspora remittances stand out as a crucial lifeline for many Caribbean nations. The Caribbean diaspora, spread across the globe, plays a pivotal role in sustaining local economies through financial transfers that support families and communities back home. As the lifeblood for thousands, these remittances have far-reaching implications, influencing consumption patterns, investment opportunities, and overall economic stability. This article delves into the data and perspectives surrounding remittances, examining their profound impact on the Caribbean’s economic landscape, the potential benefits they bring, and the challenges that accompany reliance on this critical inflow of funds. By understanding the nuances of these financial flows, policymakers and stakeholders can better navigate the interplay between diaspora engagement and economic development in the Caribbean. ## Table of Contents - Understanding the Role of Diaspora Remittances in Caribbean Economic Stability - Evaluating the Positive and Negative Effects of Remittances on Local Development - Strategies for Maximizing the Use of Remittances in Economic Growth Initiatives - Policy Recommendations for Enhancing the Impact of Remittances on the Caribbean Economies - Wrapping Up ## Understanding the Role of Diaspora Remittances in Caribbean Economic Stability The Caribbean region has witnessed significant economic transformations in recent decades, with diaspora remittances emerging as a critical component of financial stability. These remittances, sent by expatriates living abroad, contribute substantially to household incomes and play a vital role in financing educational expenses, medical bills, and daily necessities. As a result, remittances offer a buffer against poverty and economic fluctuations, particularly in regions where employment opportunities are limited and local economies face persistent challenges. In 2022, remittances accounted for an impressive share of the GDP in several Caribbean nations, underscoring their importance in sustaining economic activity. Furthermore, the positive impact of remittances extends beyond individual households to the broader economy, influencing various sectors. Key effects include: - Boosting consumption: Increased disposable income leads to higher spending, which stimulates local markets. - Supporting entrepreneurship: Access to funds makes it easier for recipients to launch small businesses, fostering job creation. - Enhancing financial inclusion: Households receiving remittances are more likely to engage with banking services, improving overall financial literacy. | Country | Remittance as % of GDP (2022) | | --- | --- | | Haiti | 37% | | Jamaica | 19% | | Dominican Republic | 8% | ## Evaluating the Positive and Negative Effects of Remittances on Local Development --- 📄 Full source: https://www.caribbeanfocus.com/assessing-diaspora-remittances-impact-on-caribbean-economies/

When Stability Comes from Abroad - Barbados - February 16, 2026 # When Stability Comes from Abroad By: Saraya Ganesh – Economic Analyst, First Citizens Economic Research Unit Commentary Introduction Some of the most important financial flows in the global economy move without contracts, policy mandates, or market pricing. They are not governed by trade agreements, capital controls, or investor confidence. Yet, every month, they cross borders with striking consistency, driven not by profit, but by obligation. These flows are remittances. In their simplest form, remittances are income earned abroad and sent home by migrants to support households. In economic analysis, remittances are often pushed to the background, recorded under secondary income and viewed mainly as a social transfer rather than an economic driver. That framing made sense when remittance flows were relatively small, uneven, and played a limited role in the wider economy. Today, with remittances larger, more stable, and more influential, that framing may be considered less appropriate. Over the past two decades, remittances have expanded steadily, outlasting cycles that disrupted almost every other external flow. They have persisted through recessions, financial crises, pandemics, and natural disasters. In many economies, remittances now rival exports, finance a meaningful share of imports, and supply foreign exchange precisely when domestic activity weakens. Unlike exports, they are generated outside of the domestic economy. Unlike capital flows, they do not reverse when risk arises. Their stability challenges how external resilience is typically understood. So, what exactly are the implications when a large and increasingly reliable share of economic stability depends on external income flows shaped by conditions and policy decisions beyond domestic control? Nowhere is this question more relevant than in the Caribbean. Small domestic markets, limited diversification, and repeated exposure to external shocks mean that volatility is embedded in the region’s economic structure. In this context, remittances have emerged as a critical stabilizing force. They arrive when tourism contracts, when fiscal space narrows, and when shocks erode domestic incomes. Their growing importance suggests that macroeconomic stability in the Caribbean may increasingly depend not on what is produced at home, but on income earned abroad and is therefore influenced by external economic conditions. The Scale of Remittances: Globally, remittances have emerged as one of the largest and most stable sources of external financing for developing economies. Unlike capital flows or foreign direct investment, remittances have continued to expand during periods of global stress, emphasizing their resilience to cyclical downturns. In 2024, according to the Migration Data Portal, global remittance flows are estimated to have increased by 4.6% rising from USD865bn in 2023, to USD905bn in 2024, reflecting continued expansion despite slower global growth. A similar pattern is evident across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). According to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), remittances to the region continued the growth path observed over nearly two decades in 2024. Inflows expanded in nominal terms even as growth rates normalized from the exceptionally strong post-pandemic surge, reinforcing the persistence of remittances as a core external inflow. This trend has persisted amid moderating economic activity. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that GDP growth in LAC will slow to 2.4% in both 2024 and 2025, ease further to 2.2% in 2026, and strengthen modestly to 2.7% in 2027. The divergence between moderating GDP growth and sustained remittance inflows highlights the extent to which remittances have become increasingly detached from domestic economic performance. Importantly, a moderation in growth does not imply weakening inflows. On the contrary, the IDB projects that by the end of 2025, remittances received by LAC will reach a new nominal peak, marking sixteen consecutive years of uninterrupted growth. Total inflows are expected to reach USD174.4bn in 2025, representing an increase of USD11.7bn relative to USD162.7bn in 2024. --- 📄 Full source: https://www.firstcitizensgroup.com/bb/2026/02/16/when-stability-comes-from-abroad/

WATCH: US$200 Million Long Bay Zen Resort Breaks Ground in Antigua with AI Butler Service and Underwater Chapel - Antigua News - Breaking stories that captivate # WATCH: US$200 Million Long Bay Zen Resort Breaks Ground in Antigua with AI Butler Service and Underwater Chapel By Shermain Bique-Charles [email protected] 28 May 2026 - 16:52 # WATCH: US$200 Million Long Bay Zen Resort Breaks Ground in Antigua with AI Butler Service and Underwater Chapel By Shermain Bique-Charles [email protected] 28 May 2026 - 16:52 US$200 Million Long Bay Zen Resort Breaks Ground in Antigua with AI Butler Service and Underwater Chapel It is the start of a new resort development on Antigua and Barbuda as the Ediacaran Group officially broke ground today on its Long Bay Zen Resort, a one-hundred-and-thirteen-key luxury property sitting on one of the island’s most recognised stretches of coastline. With the full backing of the Antiguan government, the proposed luxury property at Long Bay, valued at 200 million US dollars, is expected to begin demolition immediately with major construction expected in the fourth quarter of this year. At the launch of the development, Long Bay Resort Developer Sophie Zhong says the resort centres on sustainability, smart technology and what she calls quiet luxury. Zhong describes the resort as understated and sustainable, with green energy systems, its own desalination plant, and what she calls invisible technology. That includes an AI butler service, automated transport, and an underwater chapel the developer says will strengthen Antigua’s position as the Caribbean’s premier destination wedding location. The Ediacaran Group is not a traditional hospitality group. The company began in gaming and data analytics before North American expansion brought it to Antigua, where it has invested across multiple industries for a decade. The investors, who obtained citizenship through the Citizenship by Investment programme, was highlighted in Minister Fernandez’s speech as tangible proof of what CIP investment can produce. He connected the development to the government’s Tourism Vision 2030, pointing to ongoing airport expansion and new airlift routes as drivers of demand for high-end room stock. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gaston Browne was more emphatic in his praise for the development. He said that with room rates that could reach US $5,000 per night, he hopes that hotel staff will be paid above the liveable minimum wage the government is introducing. As the government turns the soil on a new resort development on the island, the prospects for more jobs and growth looks to clear on the horizon. Advertise where your customers click first. Get your brand seen on Antigua’s #1 news platform. Email: [email protected] or call 268-7724369 ###### About The Author Shermain Bique-Charles Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field. Contact: [email protected] Good grief on 28 May 2026 at 17:01 OVER THE WATER Chapel, not underwater… Excellent journalism as usual. Anonymous on 28 May 2026 at 18:34 Where el Mr. Zen on 28 May 2026 at 19:41 The renderings look amazing but two things: 1. Trade winds, 2. Sargassum 😬 I wish them luck! Informed citizen on 28 May 2026 at 22:48 This sounds like a major investment. Long Bay really could use something fresh and high-end. Tromos on 29 May 2026 at 06:26 Long Bay is one of our gems, so the environmental side has to be watched closely. Apex Jones on 29 May 2026 at 08:13 AI butler service? Lord help us we’re being replaced Ursula on 29 May 2026 at 18:21 Well done. This is good stiff. Happy for Antigua Hmmm on 30 May 2026 at 17:53 My issue is when there is a slow season all these hotels remain empty ### Related Posts Antiguan Butler Encourages Peers and Local Hospitality Workers to Reach for the Stars Rosewood Resort Developers Advance US$5 Million for Construction of New Barbuda Port Barbuda Set to Welcome New US$200 Million Luxury Eco-Resort Investment

The Green Industrial Gateway for Global Investors # The Green Industrial Gateway for Global Investors ### How Barbados’ GIGA strategy is creating a carbon-smart industrial platform offering dual returns for global and ESG-focused investors # The Green Industrial Gateway for Global Investors # The Green Industrial Gateway for Global Investors ## How Barbados’ GIGA strategy is creating a carbon-smart industrial platform offering dual returns for global and ESG-focused investors Illustration: Nicola Blades [... additional sections omitted for brevity ...] --- 📄 Full source: https://www.businessbarbados.com/articles/the-green-industrial-gateway-for-global-investors

EcoVista Jamaica: The Caribbean's First University Smart City - innovationreport.net Caribbean Higher Education Investment # EcoVista: The Caribbean's First University Smart City Is Coming Published by Innovation Report, May 2026. Reporting on UCC Spectrum Group and the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean. ## Key Points - ✓ EcoVista is a 283-acre smart city development on Jamaica's north coast, combining a university campus for more than 5,000 students, four technology innovation districts, luxury resort accommodation, residential housing, and a renewable energy grid. It is the first development of its kind in the Caribbean, and is fully backed by the Government of Jamaica. - ✓ The project won the Smart Infrastructure Award at AIM Future Cities 2025 in Dubai, where judges recognised EcoVista's Smart City Protocol — integrating AI-driven utility management, renewable energy infrastructure, and data-centric urban planning — as a replicable model for the broader Caribbean region. - ✓ The 283-acre site is being acquired at 40 per cent below its 2024 appraised value of US$52.8 million, with US$21 million in equity embedded in the deal before construction begins. Total forecast project revenue stands at US$2.04 billion, underpinned by financials developed with PricewaterhouseCoopers. An immediate raise of US$15 million is required to complete the land acquisition, with the site currently under contract. - ✓ EcoVista is the centrepiece of a wider transformation at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, which has simultaneously launched a national online university platform, established a formal AI task force, and is pursuing international university partnerships with institutions from North America and Europe. Across the world, around 60 university towns and knowledge cities have been built to anchor innovation ecosystems, from the education districts of the UAE to the science parks of South Korea. The Caribbean has none. UCC Spectrum Group, led by Dr Winston Adams, Founder and Group Executive Chairman of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean(UCC), is set to change that. An impression of the EcoVista smart city development planned for Trelawny. EcoVista is a 283-acre smart city planned for Trelawny on Jamaica's north coast: 1,200 metres of beachfront, 40 minutes from Montego Bay's international airport, and unlike anything else in the region. The development will combine a technology-enabled university campus for more than 5,000 students, four innovation districts covering education, health, financial technology and AI, luxury resort accommodation, residential housing, and a renewable energy grid projected to generate 40 to 60 megawatts. Construction is planned across three phases through to 2038. "There are about 60 university towns and knowledge cities across the globe, with well-established examples including those in the UAE," says Adams. "We drew inspiration from what we saw in Dubai, and the project we are establishing in Jamaica reflects many of the same principles. It is not just a university town; it is a smart, sustainable city, fully supported by the Government of Jamaica, including the Prime Minister. This is a national transformative initiative, not only a UCC project." EcoVista is designed to attract up to six international universities from North America and Europe, each operating within their own academic discipline alongside UCC as the anchor institution. The 288,000-square-foot campus is surrounded by a 72,000-square-foot eco-business park, student accommodation, and a commercial village. ## Four Innovation Districts The project's commercial architecture is built around four distinct innovation districts, each addressing a sector where Caribbean demand is high and local infrastructure is limited. ### EcoVista: The Four Innovation Districts #### FinTech Digital Sandbox A regulated testing environment for financial technology startups, offering direct access to Caribbean markets in a structured SEZ framework. [... additional sections omitted for brevity ...] --- 📄 Full source: https://innovationreport.net/article/ecovista-jamaica-university-smart-city/

Caribbean Innovation and Investment - innovationreport.net Innovation Report | Caribbean Innovation and Investment Report # The Caribbean projects turning the region's hardest problems into its best investments Rising seas, a chronic-disease epidemic, and a $6 billion food import bill are driving a wave of Caribbean science and enterprise, now sharpened by emerging technology and artificial intelligence, and met for the first time by serious capital. Dominica's geothermal plant, the first commissioned in CARICOM, is one of a wave of Caribbean projects turning environmental pressure into investable industry. "We took a decision at the university 10 years ago that we must become the centre of the conversion of research into industrial and commercial capacity. This is an existential issue facing us." Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor, University of the West Indies The Vice-Chancellor of the Caribbean's top-ranked university was describing a funding crisis, but he could have been describing the whole region. The challenges that define the Caribbean are environmental and human before they are financial. Seas are rising along some coastlines at five times the global average. Sargassum seaweed buries beaches and the tourism economy that depends on them. Diabetes and hypertension affect 60% of people over 60. And the region imports more than $6 billion of food a year, turning every global price shock into a domestic one. Those problems are now the starting point for the region's most interesting work. Across universities, government agencies, and private companies, Caribbean innovators are turning their hardest constraints into products and industries: the seaweed becomes fuel and fertiliser, the volcanic rock becomes power, the disease burden becomes a drug and device pipeline, and the flood risk becomes a satellite-and-AI early-warning system. Emerging technologies are accelerating all of it. Machine learning now drives coastal monitoring in Guyana and reef analysis in the British Virgin Islands, and the integration of artificial intelligence has become a strategic question for the whole region, one explored in our reporting on why the Caribbean cannot afford to wait on AI. Universities are the main engine, but they are not the whole story. Central banks are building digital-payment rails, conglomerates are deploying robotics, government redevelopment authorities are courting the space industry, and start-ups are commercialising what the labs prove. What has changed on the financing side is just as important: the Barbados-led Bridgetown Initiative is reshaping how capital reaches climate-vulnerable economies, and blended-finance structures can turn each public dollar into roughly five of private investment. The Caribbean Innovation and Investment Report tracks where that combination of problem, technology, and money is producing results, organised by sector, with links to our full reporting on each. ### Key Points - Environmental and health pressures are the primary drivers of Caribbean innovation, from rising seas and sargassum to a chronic-disease burden affecting most of the region's older population. Each has become the basis for a commercial response. - Emerging technology and artificial intelligence are accelerating the shift, powering flood-prediction satellites, AI reef monitoring, fintech infrastructure, and national AI strategies across several states. - The work spans public and private sectors: universities lead, but central banks, conglomerates, government authorities, and start-ups are all building. Reformed development finance is moving the region from aid recipient toward investable asset class. - Opportunity is concentrating across six sectors: blue economy, renewable energy, agritech and the circular economy, digital finance and AI, health and life sciences, and space and advanced manufacturing. The clearest single example is the University of the West Indies, which turned its funding crisis into a commercialisation strategy and now produces market-ready innovations, from sargassum biofuel to an anti-diabetic drink, that recur throughout this report. It is one institution among many, across Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, and beyond, public and private, doing the same. --- 📄 Full source: https://innovationreport.net/article/caribbean-innovation-investment-report/

AI for the Caribbean Enterprise: A Practical Adoption Roadmap Beyond the Hype – Dawgen Global Dawgen Global EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | Artificial intelligence has moved from boardroom buzzword to operational imperative. Globally, enterprise AI adoption has reached 72 percent, worker access to sanctioned AI tools grew by 50 percent in 2025, and two-thirds of organisations report measurable productivity gains. Yet the Caribbean remains largely on the sidelines—no CARICOM member state has published a national AI strategy, regional AI investment is a fraction of the global average, and most Caribbean firms are still at the experimentation stage. This article provides a pragmatic, Caribbean-specific roadmap for mid-market enterprises ready to move beyond the hype: identifying where AI delivers genuine value today, how to navigate the region’s unique infrastructure and talent constraints, and what a responsible, phased adoption strategy looks like in practice. | | --- | # The Global AI Moment—and the Caribbean’s Position in It The numbers are difficult to ignore. According to Microsoft’s Global AI Adoption report, 16.3 percent of the world’s population was actively using generative AI tools by the second half of 2025, with leading nations such as the UAE, Singapore, and Norway reporting adoption rates above 45 percent of their working-age populations. McKinsey’s 2025 Global AI Survey found enterprise adoption at 72 percent globally, up from just 20 percent in 2017. Deloitte’s State of AI in the Enterprise 2026 report revealed that worker access to AI rose by 50 percent in 2025 alone, and two-thirds of organisations reported concrete productivity and efficiency gains. Yet adoption rates average 24.7 percent in the Global North and just 14.1 percent in the Global South—a divide that carries particular urgency for the Caribbean. Latin America and the Caribbean account for 6.6 percent of global GDP but receive only 1.12 percent of global AI investment. No CARICOM member state has published a national AI strategy. The region’s digital infrastructure—internet connectivity, computing power, data storage capacity—remains insufficient to support the development of large-scale AI models. And the advanced AI talent pipeline is thin and concentrated in a handful of countries, with an accelerating brain drain of specialists to North American and European markets. This is not, however, a story of inevitability. The Caribbean has distinctive advantages that a thoughtful AI adoption strategy can exploit: deep domain expertise in sectors such as financial services, tourism, and agriculture; a growing ecosystem of regional technology initiatives; and the emerging policy architecture—including the UNESCO Caribbean AI Policy Roadmap and the newly launched CTU Caribbean AI Task Force—that can guide responsible deployment. The challenge is not whether Caribbean enterprises should adopt AI, but how they should do so in ways that are practical, affordable, and aligned with regional realities. # The Caribbean AI Landscape: Emerging Architecture, Persistent Gaps ## Policy and Governance Momentum The past eighteen months have seen a significant acceleration in regional AI governance efforts. UNESCO’s Caribbean AI Policy Roadmap, developed through consultations with over 1,000 institutions and individuals across 20 Caribbean countries, established four strategic pillars: Culture and Creativity, Governance and Transformation, Education and Upskilling, and Resiliency and Sustainability. This roadmap provides the first comprehensive policy framework tailored to Caribbean Small Island Developing States. --- 📄 Full source: https://www.dawgen.global/ai-for-the-caribbean-enterprise-a-practical-adoption-roadmap-beyond-the-hype/

# Summary: Can The Caribbean Be The Next AI Data Center Valley? **Source:** Caribbean Financials / News Americas Now | **Date:** May 26, 2026 (published June 2, 2026) --- ## Core Thesis The Caribbean is emerging as a potential major frontier for AI and data center infrastructure investment, driven by strategic partnerships, academic initiatives, and favorable geographic positioning—though a significant capital gap remains. --- ## Key Developments ### Dominican Republic – NVIDIA & Google Deals (Feb 2026) - **NVIDIA Agreement:** President Luis Abinader announced a strategic deal to create a **Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence**, train talent, and develop AI capabilities. Places the DR alongside an elite group: **US, South Korea, Israel, Singapore**. - **Google Agreement:** Commitment to build a **world-class data hub** with submarine cables connecting to US data centers—positioning the DR as Google's **gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean**. - **Combined investment:** Exceeds **$600 million** (per *De Ultimo Minuto*). ### University of the West Indies – I-INSIGHT Institute (May 2026) - UWI launched the **Institute for Intelligent Systems Governance and Human-Centered Technology (I-INSIGHT)**, backed by a **$5 million investment from Sagicor Financial Corporation** (per *Barbados Today*, May 8, 2026). - First operational arm: **Sagicor UWI AI and Financial Services Hub**, rollout begins **August 2026** across all UWI campuses. - UWI also launched a **One-UWI AI Research Cluster** and finalized a **regional AI policy framework** (per *Searchlight*, May 15, 2026). - Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles described 2024-2025 as a **turning point** under the theme *"Future-Proofing UWI: Leading the Digital Revolution."* > The institute's stated mission is a refusal to be a region that imports tourism platforms that don't understand Caribbean reality, agricultural tools trained on temperate farms, and compliance systems designed for other jurisdictions. --- ## Critical Data Points | Metric | Value | |---|---| | LAC share of global GDP | ~**6.6%** | | LAC share of global AI investment | Only **1.12%** | | DR-NVIDIA/Google combined investment | **>$600 million** | | Sagicor investment in UWI I-INSIGHT | **$5 million** | | Guyana projected GDP growth (2026) | **16.3%** (highest in region, per World Bank) | | AI Capital Exchange deal pipeline filtered | **>$200 million** | --- ## The Three Pillars of Data Center Viability Data centers require three fundamental inputs—**the Caribbean is positioned on all three:** 1. **Land** – Available across less-densely developed island nations at a fraction of North American/European costs 2. **Power** – Guyana's oil-led energy boom addresses regional power needs 3. **Connectivity** – DR's submarine cable infrastructure directly addresses this; Caribbean's geographic position between North America, South America, Europe, and Africa makes it a **natural trans-Atlantic data routing hub** --- ## The Missing Piece: Capital - Institutional investment, patient capital, and deal facilitation infrastructure have historically been lacking in the region. - Platforms like **AI Capital Exchange** (filtered >$200M in Caribbean/emerging market deals) aim to connect regional projects with global institutional lenders seeking returns beyond saturated Western markets. --- ## Comparative Context The LAC AI investment gap (6.6% GDP vs. 1.12% AI investment) mirrors historical patterns: - **Southeast Asia** before Singapore became a global tech hub - **Middle East** before UAE positioned Abu Dhabi and Dubai as AI capitals This signals **untapped potential, not fundamental weakness**—and early movers still have an advantage. --- ## Key Takeaway > Whether the Caribbean seizes this moment or watches it pass to other emerging regions will depend on decisions being made right now—about infrastructure, capital access, and the political will to position small island economies as technology destinations, not just tourism markets.

Cost of Living Trends in Dominica 2014-2024 — 10-Year Analysis Historical Data · North America # Cost of Living Trends in Dominica (2014–2024) Stability: Highly Volatile 10-yr change: +76.3% Since COVID: +33.0% Trend: rising Over the past decade, Dominica's economy has shown highly volatile pricing patterns (coefficient of variation: 21.0%). Since 2019, the cost baseline has risen by 33.0%, reflecting the post-COVID economic environment. The 10-year trend is rising at roughly +5.9% per year. Source: World Bank · GDP per capita PPP & inflation rate · 2014–2024 · Updated May 2026 ## The 10-Year Story Line chart showing yearly gdp per capita (ppp, usd) values with min 12083.3, max 21300.7, average 15577.2. ## Stability Rating Cost Stability — Dominica Highly Volatile Coefficient of variation: 21.0% — prices are subject to high variability — research recent trends before committing ## Year-by-Year Data | Year | GDP/cap PPP (USD) | YoY Change | Inflation | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2014 | $12,083 | — | 0.8% | | 2015 | $12,093 | +0.1% | -0.8% | | 2016 | $12,945 | +7.0% | 0.1% | | 2017 | $12,696 | -1.9% | 0.3% | | 2018 | $15,070 | +18.7% | 1.0% | | 2019 | $16,021 | +6.3% | 1.5% | | 2020 | $14,244 | -11.1% | 1.2% | | 2021 | $15,809 | +11.0% | 2.2% | | 2022 | $18,802 | +18.9% | 2.9% | | 2023 | $20,286 | +7.9% | 5.1% | | 2024 | $21,301 | +5.0% | 2.6% | ## Since COVID (2019 → 2024) 2019 Baseline $16,021 2024 Latest $21,301 Change +33.0% Since 2019, the GDP per capita PPP in Dominica has increased by 33.0%. This metric serves as a proxy for overall purchasing-power evolution. ## Best Time to Have Moved | Reference Year | GDP/cap PPP (USD) | Cumulative change to 2024 | | --- | --- | --- | | 2014 | $12,083 | +76.3% | | 2017 | $12,696 | +67.8% | | 2019 | $16,021 | +33.0% | | 2022 | $18,802 | +13.3% | | 2024 | $21,301 | — | Methodology & Sources Data: World Bank Open Data — GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2017 international USD) and inflation (annual %) for Dominica, 2014–2024. Stability rating uses the coefficient of variation (CV = σ/mean). Thresholds: CV < 3% Extremely Stable · 3–8% Stable · 8–15% Moderately Volatile · >15% Highly Volatile. Last updated: May 2026. ## Frequently Asked Questions Is the cost of living in Dominica rising or falling? Based on World Bank data (2014–2024), the cost of living in Dominica has been rising. GDP per capita PPP has increased by approximately +76.3% over the 10-year period. A rising trend typically reflects growing wages, higher demand, and economic expansion. How stable is the cost of living in Dominica? Dominica is rated 'Highly Volatile' for cost stability (coefficient of variation 21.0%). Costs have shown meaningful fluctuations over the decade — driven by inflation spikes, currency movements, or external economic shocks. Build a 10-15% buffer into any budget. How did COVID-19 affect the cost of living in Dominica? Since 2019 (pre-COVID baseline), GDP per capita PPP in Dominica has increased by 33.0%, indicating a strong economic recovery, with purchasing power above pre-COVID levels. Source: World Bank Open Data. ← Dominica Cost of Living North America Overview Global Rankings ## Regional context Dominica is in North America. To compare its trajectory with neighbours and the regional median, browse: - North America regional hub- all countries in the region - All cost-of-living rankings- to see where Dominica stands today - Dominica country page- current cost breakdown ## Other angles on Dominica This page tracks GDP per capita (PPP) over time. For other dimensions: Cost of living today → Latest CoL index, rent, groceries, restaurants, transport. Tax profile → Income tax, VAT, capital gains, social security, special regimes. Visa pathways → Which visa fits your profile (employee / nomad / retiree). Compare 2 countries → Side-by-side: Dominica vs another country, all metrics. ## Sources 1. Historical GDP per capita (PPP, current international $): World Bank Open Data, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD series. 2. Cross-validation: IMF World Economic Outlook Database (April 2026 release). 3. Currency conversion: International Comparison Program (ICP) PPP reference rates. 4. Event annotations (COVID, financial crisis, etc.): World Bank Macroeconomic Outlook commentary. PPP-adjusted figures eliminate exchange-rate distortions, so they reflect actual purchasing power inside Dominica, not USD value at headline rates. See methodology for our refresh cadence.

Consumer Price Index - Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis Use the latest browser recommended by Microsoft Get speed, security and privacy with Microsoft Edge Close Launch now Phone: (869) 465-2537 Fax: (869) 465-9562 Email: info@eccb-centralbank.org -- - Consumer Price Index - Saint Christopher (St Kitts) And Nevis - Economic Statistics - Statistics - Home # Consumer Price Index - Saint Christopher (St Kitts) And Nevis -- -- Loading... Dashboard - Fuel Price Tracker - Food Import Bill Tracker Monetary and Financial Sector - Financial Soundness Indicators (%) - Publication of Side-by-Side Data for Commercial Banks - Interest Rates - Selected Commercial Bank's Assets and Liabilities - Statement of Asset and Liabilities - Monetary and Financial Statistics Economic Statistics - Regional Government Securities Market - Central Government Fiscal Accounts - Public Sector Debt - Other Real Sector - National Accounts - External Sector Surveys - Financial Literacy and Financial Inclusion - Credit Market Conditions - Business Outlook - Balance of Payments Metadata and References - Infographics - Other Reference Documents - Metadata Documents - Advanced Release Calendar ### Consumer Price Index - Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis Country: Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis - Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis Time frequency: Quarterly - Annual - Quarterly - Monthly Reference period: Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 Update Data Modify Download AdvancedSearch | Unit | Sep 2024 | Dec 2024 | Mar 2025 | Jun 2025 | Sep 2025 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Inflation Rate - end of period | % | -0.47 | 1.27 | -0.41 | 0.65 | 0.54 | | Inflation Rate - period average | % | -0.07 | 0.91 | -0.46 | 0.31 | 0.67 | | All Items | Index | 113.19 | 114.63 | 114.16 | 114.90 | 115.52 | | Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages | Index | 122.81 | 123.80 | 122.17 | 124.70 | 127.10 | | Alcohol Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics | Index | 128.00 | 128.17 | 124.65 | 131.64 | 135.75 | | Clothing and Footware | Index | 128.14 | 128.67 | 128.04 | 128.64 | 127.65 | | Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels | Index | 99.36 | 99.36 | 99.61 | 100.19 | 99.55 | | Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance | Index | 120.29 | 121.24 | 121.08 | 121.59 | 123.29 | | Health | Index | 123.34 | 124.54 | 124.54 | 126.99 | 125.64 | | Transport | Index | 113.15 | 119.98 | 117.59 | 116.99 | 119.34 | | Communication | Index | 115.83 | 115.83 | 115.83 | 115.83 | 115.83 | | Recreation and Culture | Index | 124.58 | 125.09 | 122.70 | 124.63 | 121.59 | | Education | Index | 119.65 | 119.59 | 130.97 | 130.10 | 129.42 | | Restaurants and Hotels | Index | 123.34 | 123.34 | 123.58 | 123.58 | 123.59 | | Miscellaneous Goods and Services | Index | 110.50 | 109.93 | 109.90 | 110.18 | 111.00 | Data as at 18 December 2025 ###### Source Central Statistical Offices of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). For more information on the CPI see the Consumer Price Index Manual, Concepts and Methods, 2020 This website uses cookies to improve your experience. For more information view our privacy policy here. Cookie Settings Accept Exchange Rates Interest Rates

BOJ Money Quest Financial Literacy Game Officially Launched – Jamaica Information Service ###### Photo: Adrian Walker Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Richard Byles, delivers the opening remarks during Friday's (May 29) launch of the financial literacy gamification platform, 'BOJ Money Quest', at the BOJ Auditorium in downtown Kingston. ###### Photo: Adrian Walker Senior Deputy Governor at the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), Dr. Wayne Robinson, addresses Friday's (May 29) launch of financial literacy gamification platform, 'BOJ Money Quest', at the BOJ Auditorium in downtown Kingston. Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Richard Byles (right, standing) engages with a student from May Pen Primary School in Clarendon during Friday's (May 29) launch of financial literacy gamification platform, 'BOJ Money Quest', at the BOJ Auditorium in downtown Kingston. Looking on are (from left, standing) Head of Financial Stability at the BOJ, Dr. André Murray, and Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. Wayne Robinson, and educators from May Pen Primary. ## The Full Story The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has launched a new financial literacy gamification platform, ‘BOJ Money Quest’, designed to engage Jamaican school children in learning about money management. The initiative seeks to equip students with essential financial skills, including saving, budgeting, goal-setting, and responsible spending. The curriculum-aligned game is tailored for students in Grades Four to Six and can be accessed across phones, tablets, and computers. Importantly, students played an active role in shaping the platform, contributing ideas during its development and participating in beta testing in July 2025. Money Quest was officially launched by Central Bank Governor, Richard Byles, during a ceremony at the BOJ Auditorium in downtown Kingston on Friday (May 29). He emphasised that this forward-looking initiative underscores the Bank’s ongoing commitment to advancing financial inclusion. “When our children learn to manage money wisely, they not only become better financial citizens, they become more capable, more confident, and more empowered human beings,” the Governor stated. Mr. Byles noted that global research provides compelling evidence supporting the importance of introducing financial education at an early age. “The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has found that financial habits and attitudes begin forming as early as age seven. By the time a child reaches their teenage years, many of their fundamental financial behaviours are already entrenched,” he explained. Governor Byles stressed that delaying the introduction of financial principles until adulthood is, in many cases, far too late. He cited multiple market studies consistently showing that children who receive structured financial literacy education are significantly more likely to save, less likely to accumulate harmful debt, and more inclined to engage productively with formal financial institutions as adults. “Closer to home, financial literacy gaps among young people in the Caribbean remain a documented challenge, with many students leaving primary school without a working understanding of budgeting, savings, or basic financial decision making,” the Central Bank Governor disclosed. He affirmed that financially literate children grow into financially resilient adults who establish more stable households, make sounder economic decisions, and contribute with greater confidence to national growth. “Research in the field of financial education consistently shows that game-based learning significantly improves knowledge retention among children aged eight to 12, compared to traditional instructional methods. When children learn through play, they are not just simply receiving information, they are applying it, testing it, and owning it,” Mr. Byles outlined. He noted that the vision is to expand BOJ Money Quest across all 14 parishes, ensuring that students in every corner of Jamaica are reached with a message that is both simple and transformative. “The message is [that] understanding money is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy. It is a life skill that belongs to every Jamaican child,” Mr. Byles stated. --- 📄 Full source: https://jis.gov.jm/boj-money-quest-financial-literacy-game-officially-launched/

ECCB Partners with Government to Promote Financial Literacy Through ASPIRE | WINNFM 98.9 Search 24.1 C Basseterre Friday, May 1, 2026 Search Home News Local News ECCB Partners with Government to Promote Financial Literacy Through ASPIRE # ECCB Partners with Government to Promote Financial Literacy Through ASPIRE March 13, 2025 584 Print St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is collaborating with the government to enhance financial literacy among young people in the Federation through the Aspire programme. This initiative aims to equip students and teachers with essential financial knowledge in an evolving global environment. Sybil Welch, Senior Project Specialist at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, provided an overview of the bank’s role in supporting financial education within schools. “So we had a meeting, what we call a train the trainers and the teachers. Very exciting to get them to recognise that discussing money matters with our young children is so important, but it is so much fun. You know, we had the teachers go through some of the modules and they were so excited. They were like, so they were receptive. Yes, can we start? When can we start? They want to do it themselves. They want to do it themselves and so we’re arming them with the tools and we’re doing the mentoring and the coaching with them. So that they themselves, when you reach to the teachers now, they’re going to reach to the whole community. Okay. And that and then we have one with Washi Archibald High School this Thursday. Another train the trainers and so we are going to go to Nevis next with two schools. So we’re trying to do at least two. We know this is a tight term. It’s sports and exams and stuff. So we’re going to do two schools to start in St. Kitts and two schools to start in Nevis and then have a bigger rollout the next school term, but at least to make a start. And you know, you reach children, you reach their parents.” In November, the government passed the Achieving Success Through Personal Investment Resources and Education Aspire Bill, laying the foundation for every child who is a citizen of the Federation to receive EC$1,000 or US$369 under this initiative. “Because if you can get a child to talk about things in the language of a child, in the experiences of a child, and then you can then say they go home to their parents. So when we’re telling, when we’re doing games about, you know, like the price is right, I’m sure many times children ask parents to buy this, buy that, buy that, and they don’t know the cost. But if you start to introduce them to the cost of things, the next time they ask their parents to buy that. And then you look at the options. You can have this, or you can have that.” Under this initiative, $500 will be deposited into a savings account, accruing interest until the child turns 18. And also $500 will be invested in shares, fostering early exposure to wealth building strategies. During her appearance on WinFM’s Money Matters programme, Welch discussed the key financial challenges faced by the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. --- 📄 Full source: https://www.winnmediaskn.com/eccb-partners-with-government-to-promote-financial-literacy-through-aspire/

SKN Government and the ECCB launch the ASPIRE Educator Training Sessions | WINNFM 98.9 Search 24.1 C Basseterre Friday, June 5, 2026 Search Home News Local News SKN Government and the ECCB launch the ASPIRE Educator Training Sessions # SKN Government and the ECCB launch the ASPIRE Educator Training Sessions October 8, 2025 562 Print by Eulana Weekes St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) partnered to launch the Aspire Educator Training Sessions on October 07. The initiative brought together students, educators and financial experts, a part of a broader strategy to improve financial literacy among the youth, focusing on key areas such as saving, budgeting and investing. Speaking at “The Roundtable”, Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew highlighted the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s leadership in the training sessions and its role in promoting financial education and empowerment. The Washington Archibald High School and the Basseterre High School were the first two schools to benefit from the training. “We had the beginning of Aspire Educator Training Sessions, and that is the first set of training sessions for financial literacy and educational component and the educational component of the Aspire Programme. This was done at the Central Bank because the Central Bank, which has a mandate for financial education, is also supporting the Aspire Programme. So, they had two schools there where the pilot is being done. That’s the Washington Archibald High School and the Basseterre High School, and then there would be a session in Nevis tomorrowwhere high schools would be involved. Then we would also do the primary schools. We will train the trainers and allow those teachers to teach the rest of the staff who will be involved, how to deliver the curriculum, but the curriculum was developed in close collaboration with the Central Bank, which you know is a premier financial institution which has financial education as part of its mandate. So this is in keeping with the mandate of the Central Bank as well.” Prime Minister Drew explained that the first training was informative, recalling useful strategies to engage the youth in financial learning. He underscored the importance of financial inclusion and economic stability. “So I was given a copy of the curriculum. I was at the first session and I was able to see at the first session how it will be delivered, and it’s being delivered in a very fun way. It is not the children sitting down and reading. I think one of the games is how to become a millionaire, and they have a programme well developed of how to become a millionaire, and the children would play. In that, you’ll have the concepts, the financial concept. What is debt? What is an asset? and deep concepts. Is it better to buy, to invest in land or vehicle? What [are] finances, and how to manage them? We want to shift, of course, our culture here when it comes to handling money and developing a secure financial future.” The acronym ASPIRE means Achieving Success Through Personal Investment, Resources, and Education. It is a financial programme launched in 2024, where every child in St. Kitts and Nevis between the ages of five and 18 would get an EC$1,000 contribution from the government. This contribution will be divided into two parts: EC$500 to be held in a savings account at the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank and EC$500 to be invested in shares of local, government-owned entities. It is the first of its kind in the region. Thousands of students across the Federation have signed on to the ASPIRE Programme. --- 📄 Full source: https://www.winnmediaskn.com/skn-government-and-the-eccb-launch-the-aspire-educator-training-sessions/

Navigating Hurdles: Entrepreneurs' Struggles in the Caribbean - CaribbeanFocus Close Menu Breaking News: - The U.S. Moves In: How Venezuela’s Oil Could Reshape The Caribbean’s Future - WATCH: Conduct Yourselves with Dignity on Election Day, ABEC Chairman Urges Ahead of April 30 Vote – Antigua News - Trinidad: Government denies approving increased air fares to Tobago - Government exploring option of bidding to host major international sports meets - Dominican Republic economy grows 5.1% in March, highest in 11 months amid global uncertainty - Daily News Limited – Newsday – Notice to Creditors 2026 - This Just Might Be the Most Unforgettable Place in Puerto Rico - Alliyette’s Karnival Collection turns Caribbean joy into wearable gold – Caribbean Life Share As the Caribbean emerges as a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, many business leaders in the region are finding themselves grappling with a unique set of challenges. From navigating complex regulatory landscapes to securing financing in a competitive market, entrepreneurs face hurdles that can threaten their growth and sustainability. Despite the abundant natural resources and rich cultural heritage that characterize this beautiful region, the journey of establishing a successful venture is often fraught with obstacles influenced by economic, social, and political factors. This article delves into the multifaceted struggles faced by Caribbean entrepreneurs, highlighting their resilience and the innovative strategies they employ to overcome adversity in pursuit of success. ## Table of Contents - Understanding the Unique Economic Landscape of the Caribbean - Identifying Common Challenges Faced by Caribbean Entrepreneurs - Strategic Solutions for Overcoming Financial and Regulatory Obstacles - Building a Supportive Ecosystem: Resources for Entrepreneurial Success - The Conclusion ## Understanding the Unique Economic Landscape of the Caribbean The Caribbean region is characterized by its vibrant culture and natural beauty, but the economic landscape presents a complex web of challenges for entrepreneurs. Factors such as limited access to funding, high operational costs, and small market sizes can hinder business growth and innovation. Entrepreneurs often face an uphill battle when trying to scale their businesses due to these constraints. The tourism sector, despite being a primary economic driver, is highly seasonal and susceptible to global market fluctuations, which further complicates business planning and sustainability. Additionally, a heavy reliance on imports can lead to volatile price changes, challenging the profitability of local enterprises. Moreover, government regulations and a lack of infrastructure can create barriers for startups trying to establish themselves in the market. Key issues such as bureaucratic delays and insufficient support services contribute to a challenging entrepreneurial environment. To illustrate these challenges more clearly, consider the following table that highlights the primary hurdles faced by entrepreneurs in the Caribbean: | Challenge | Description | | --- | --- | | Access to Capital | Limited financing options and high-interest rates deter investment. | | Market Size | Small population limits the growth potential of businesses. | | Infrastructure Issues | Poor transportation and communication networks can hinder operations. | | Bureaucracy | Lengthy permit processes delay business setup and operations. | ## Identifying Common Challenges Faced by Caribbean Entrepreneurs The Caribbean region is a vibrant tapestry of entrepreneurship, yet various hurdles threaten to stifle growth and innovation. Entrepreneurs often contend with limited access to financing, which can obstruct the launch and expansion of new businesses. Many financial institutions are hesitant to lend to startups due to perceived risks, leading entrepreneurs to seek alternative funding methods, often just as challenging. Furthermore, the high cost of doing business in the Caribbean, driven by import taxes and fees, can significantly eat into profit margins and discourage potential investors. --- 📄 Full source: https://www.caribbeanfocus.com/navigating-hurdles-entrepreneurs-struggles-in-the-caribbean/

Drinkwater, Stephen, Lashley, Jonathan and Robinson, Catherine (2018) Barriers to Enterprise Development in the Caribbean. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, 30 (9-10). pp. 942-963. ISSN 0898-5626. Kent Academic Repository Downloaded from https://kar.kent.ac.uk/66015/ The University of Kent's Academic Repository KAR The version of record is available from https://doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2018.1515821 This document version Author's Accepted Manuscript DOI for this version Licence for this version UNSPECIFIED Additional information Versions of research works Versions of Record If this version is the version of record, it is the same as the published version available on the publisher's web site. Cite as the published version. Author Accepted Manuscripts If this document is identified as the Author Accepted Manuscript it is the version after peer review but before type setting, copy editing or publisher branding. Cite as Surname, Initial. (Year) 'Title of article'. To be published in Title of Journal , Volume and issue numbers [peer-reviewed accepted version]. Available at: DOI or URL (Accessed: date). Enquiries If you have questions about this document contact ResearchSupport@kent.ac.uk. Please include the URL of the record in KAR. If you believe that your, or a third party's rights have been compromised through this document please see our Take Down policy (available from https://www.kent.ac.uk/guides/kar-the-kent-academic-repository#policies). Accepted in Special Issue of Entrepreneurship and Regional Development on Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean Region Barriers to enterprise development in the Caribbean Stephen Drinkwater (corresponding author) Business School University of Roehampton, London Stephen.Drinkwater@roehampton.ac.uk Jonathan Lashley Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados jlashley@caribsurf.com Catherine Robinson Kent Business School University of Kent, Medway C.Robinson-501@kent.ac.uk Acknowledgements We are grateful to two reviewers for providing helpful comments and suggestions on the version of this paper presented at the conference on “Connecting the Dots: Enterprise, Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Development” held in Jamaica in November 2016. Abstract Caribbean 1 economies have suffered from stagnant growth since the 1990s. This can be a feature of small developing economies and is a major concern for policy-makers. In this paper, we examine establishment-level data to gain a better understanding of the factors that constrain the growth of businesses in the region. In addition to documenting broad differences in obstacles to business within and across the region, we particularly focus on the main obstacles affecting small and medium-sized firms. The econometric analysis highlights three main barriers at a regional level: an inadequately educated workforce; access to finance; and crime, theft and disorder. However, there are variations at the country level and the analysis indicates clusters of countries that experience obstacles to similar degrees. The paper concludes with recommendations for alleviating the constraints to enterprise development and in stimulating economic growth. Keywords: enterprise development; SMEs; Caribbean; business environment; barriers to growth; ordered probit regressions. 1 Caribbean refers here to the following independent English-speaking countries (country abbreviations): The Bahamas (BAH); Barbados (BAR); Belize (BEL); Guyana (GUY); Jamaica (JAM); Trinidad and Tobago (TNT); and six member countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS): Antigua and Barbuda (ANT); Dominica (DOM); Grenada (GRN); St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN); St. Lucia (SLU); St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Introduction The economic stagnation of the Caribbean has long been a concern for policy-makers (Ruprah, Melgarejo, and Sierra 2014, Girvan 2010, Mandle 2010). While economy size is often identified as a binding constraint, other small economies have experienced higher growth rates than the Caribbean. A variety of reasons have been put forward to explain the Caribbean’s growth sclerosis (Ruprah, Melgarejo, and --- 📄 Full source: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/66015/3/Drinkwater%20et%20al%20ERD%20Accepted%20Jan%2018.pdf

Caribbean Firms Face Structural Barriers To Growth Research Finds Home - News Americas Now – Daily Caribbean Diaspora Newswire News Features Work With Us - Get Your BrandSmart Feature - Partner With News Americas Now About Us - About News Americas – Syndicated Daily Caribbean Diaspora News - Felicia J. Persaud: Builder, Advocate, Pioneer | News Americas Now - Celebrities Who Like Us - Terms and Conditions – News Americas Now - Privacy Policy 2026 – News Americas Now Contact Us - Contact News Americas Now - Send A Story Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account your username your password Forgot your password? Get help Privacy Policy 2026 – News Americas Now Password recovery Recover your password your email A password will be e-mailed to you. News Americas, New York, NY, Tues. Nov. 12, 2024: Caribbean businesses encounter significant operational and financial challenges, with informal payments, power outages, and limited access to capital markets among the top hurdles, according to a new report by the Inter-American Development Bank, (IDB) and Compete Caribbean titled “Are We There Yet? The Path toward Sustainable Private Sector Development in the Caribbean.” The report, which covers 13 Caribbean nations, finds that regulatory bottlenecks often lead firms to rely on informal payments to expedite approvals, such as import licenses or construction permits. Meanwhile, two-thirds of firms face frequent power or Internet disruptions, emphasizing the need for stronger public service infrastructure to support business continuity. ## INVEST CARIBBEAN NOW A critical challenge highlighted is the lack of access to finance, which severely limits firm productivity. The study notes that Caribbean capital markets are underdeveloped and often illiquid, forcing companies to rely on limited and high-cost credit markets. Further complicating this issue is the lack of robust credit history data, which stifles lending options. The report also identifies limitations in the region’s support for innovation and entrepreneurship. Although many Caribbean countries see significant potential in fostering entrepreneurship, systematic support for startups is scarce, and existing programs are often small in scale or temporary. This inhibits the development of scalable enterprises and limits the growth of a robust private sector. ## Workforce Mismatch and Brain Drain The Caribbean also faces a notable mismatch in labor market needs, with an oversupply of unskilled workers and a shortage of skilled professionals, particularly in technology sectors. Emigration of highly skilled workers to opportunities abroad exacerbates this imbalance, leaving critical skill gaps in key industries, the study said. ## Need for Policy Reforms and Modernized Services To address these issues, the report suggests reforms to improve business processes and public services. Key recommendations include streamlining licensing procedures, automating services through digital platforms, and implementing transparency campaigns to reduce corruption. For workforce development, the study advises creating closer collaboration between employers and educational institutions to align training programs with in-demand skills, especially in information and communication technology (ICT). It also recommends government-supported job placement services and vocational training programs to enhance employment opportunities. ## Support for Innovation and Financial Inclusion On the financial front, the IDB study calls for policies that foster competition in credit markets and expand financial inclusion. These include establishing credit registries and bureaus for sharing credit histories, strengthening property rights and insolvency processes, and advancing financial technologies with adequate safeguards to improve credit risk assessment. The report further encourages governments to design innovation support programs that span the business lifecycle, including public and private incubators and accelerators. Greater collaboration between industry and academic institutions is also recommended to support technology transfer and development. ## A Roadmap for Growth --- 📄 Full source: https://www.newsamericasnow.com/addressing-hurdles-caribbean-businesses/

# Are we there yet? The Path Towards Sustained Economic Growth in the Caribbean Inter-American Development Bank eBooks, 2024. Book. 0 citations. ## Authors - Diether Beuermann: h-index 15; 1,041 citations; corresponding author - Sylvia Döhnert: h-index 2; 21 citations - Henry Mooney: h-index 5; 226 citations - Ricardo Sierra: h-index 3; 38 citations ## Topics Global Health and Epidemiology, Gender, Education, and Development Issues, Economic Growth and Productivity, Path (computing), Development economics --- # Are we there yet? the path toward sustainable ## Abstract This book shatters the research dearth on the Caribbean private sector. It delves into contemporary issues that influence productivity and development through policy-oriented data-driven approaches using the recently conducted IFPG survey. Unveiling the impact of COVID-19, vulnerability to climate change and disasters, weak investment climate, complex policy environment, skills mismatch and education, technology and innovation, and financing obstacles, it offers a roadmap to unleash the region's full economic dynamism. A must-read for policymakers and anyone seeking to ignite the Caribbean private sector's full potential. This book provides timely and insightful economic and policy analyses of productivity in the Caribbean. The authors are world-leading scholars on the topic. They examine the investment climate in the Caribbean, innovation, employment and productivity, and the impact of COVID-19. Based on the insightful data and analyses, the volume further provides a recommended policy agenda for the Caribbean. I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in the Caribbean and economic and policy frameworks to read this book. -Douglas Cumming v List of Tables Table 2. 1. COVID-19 and the Use of Financial Products in Caribbean Firms (Percent) [... additional sections omitted for brevity ...] --- 📄 Full source: https://doi.org/10.18235/0013218

Savings in the Caribbean Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/ecr/col095/27351.html My bibliography Save this paper - Author & abstract - Download - 5 Citations - Related works & more - Corrections ## Author Listed: - - ## Abstract No abstract is available for this item. ## Suggested Citation Handle: RePEc:ecr:col095:27351 Note: Includes bibliography as HTML HTML with abstract plain text plain text with abstract BibTeX RIS (EndNote, RefMan, ProCite) ReDIF JSON ## Download full text from publisher File URL: http://repositorio.cepal.org/handle/11362/27351Download Restriction: no ---><--- ## Citations Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item. as HTML HTML with abstract plain text plain text with abstract BibTeX RIS (EndNote, RefMan, ProCite) ReDIF JSON Cited by: 1. -, 1991. " Savings in the Caribbean," Sede Subregional de la CEPAL para el Caribe (Estudios e Investigaciones) 27351, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL). 2. Erik Hurst & Ming Ching Luoh & Frank P. Stafford, 1998. " The Wealth Dynamics of American Families, 1984-94," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 29(1), pages 267-338. 3. -, 1996. " Strengthening development: the interplay of macro- and microeconomics," Libros de la CEPAL, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), number 2148 edited by Cepal. 4. David I. Laibson & Andrea Repetto & Jeremy Tobacman, 1998. " Self-Control and Saving for Retirement," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 29(1), pages 91-196. 5. repec:ecr:col037:5425 is not listed on IDEAS 6. Jan Inge Jenssen & Geir Jørgensen, 2004. " How Do Corporate Champions Promote Innovations?," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 8(01), pages 63-86. ## More about this item ### Statistics Access and download statistics ## Corrections All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ecr:col095:27351. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc. If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about. We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form. If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation. For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Biblioteca CEPAL (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/eclaccl.html. Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services. ### More services and features #### MyIDEAS Follow serials, authors, keywords & more #### Author registration Public profiles for Economics researchers #### Rankings Various research rankings in Economics #### RePEc Genealogy Who was a student of whom, using RePEc #### RePEc Biblio Curated articles & papers on economics topics #### MPRA Upload your paper to be listed on RePEc and IDEAS #### New papers by email Subscribe to new additions to RePEc #### EconAcademics Blog aggregator for economics research #### Plagiarism Cases of plagiarism in Economics ### About RePEc #### RePEc home Initiative for open bibliographies in Economics #### Blog #### Help/FAQ Questions about IDEAS and RePEc #### RePEc team #### Participating archives Publishers indexing in RePEc #### Privacy statement ### Help us #### Corrections Found an error or omission? #### Volunteers Opportunities to help RePEc #### Get papers listed Have your research listed on RePEc #### Open a RePEc archive Have your institution's/publisher's output listed on RePEc #### Get RePEc data Use data assembled by RePEc IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.

2 0 1 A Comparison of Saving Rates: Microdata Evidence from Seventeen Latin American and Caribbean Countries ABSTRACT Using microdata on expenditure and income for seventeen Latin American and Caribbean countries, this paper presents stylized facts on saving behavior by age, education, income, and place of residence. Counterfactual saving rates are computed by imposing the saving behavior, the population distribution, or the income distribution of two benchmark economies (the United States and Korea). The results suggest that the difference in national saving rates between Latin America and Caribbean and the benchmark economies can mainly be attributed to differences in saving behavior of the population and, to a lesser extent, to differences in the distribution of the population by education levels. Other demographic or income distribution differences are not quantitatively important as explanations of saving rates. JEL classification: C81, D12, D14, D91, E21 Keywords: Saving rates, Latin America NÉSTOR GANDELMAN Universidad ORT Uruguay ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This paper is the end product of research conducted under the InterAmerican Development Bank’s Latin American and Caribbean Research Network project Domestic Savings in Latin America and the Caribbean, which explored the low level of domestic savings in Latin America and the Caribbean, the poor financial intermediation of that savings, and its inefficient allocation. Presented here are the results of one of the eight research projects that made up this study. The paper benefited from comments from Eduardo Cavallo and Verónica Frisancho. I wish to thank Braulio Britos for his excellent research assistance. I am indebted to Diether Beuermann, Javier Beverinotti, Carlos Gustavo Machicado, Marcelo Pérez, Eduardo Pontual Ribeiro, Rocío Portilla, José David Sierra, Sung Ju Song, and Jorge Tovar for their help in gaining access to the databases used in this paper. A ccording to the World Development Indicators (WDI), gross national savings in Latin America as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) was 20 percent in 2012. This figure is well below East Asia and Pacific (40 percent) and South Asia (30 percent), but about the same as other 202 E C O N O M I A , Spring 2016 regions like Europe and Central Asia (17 percent) and sub-Saharan Africa (17 percent) and above the United States (12 percent). The comparison between these regions suggests that there is not an obvious relationship among national savings, growth, and development. This might be due to significant heterogeneity within regions. In particular, Latin America and the Caribbean is not a homogeneous entity in many dimensions, including saving rates. In 2012, the saving rate was as large as 26 percent in Bolivia and as low as 9 percent in neighboring Paraguay. National savings are themselves aggregates of heterogeneous households’ (or individuals’) personal savings decisions. On theoretical grounds, life-cycle models imply that individuals’ savings behavior differs by age.1 Alternatively, the permanent income hypothesis suggests that consumption (and therefore savings) will differ among individuals whose determinants of permanent income are different.2 Empirically, Carroll, Rhee, and Rhee test for cultural effects on saving behavior in the United States.3 Differences in saving rates among countries can be disaggregated into the following three categories: differences in saving decisions between similar individuals living in different countries (for example, young people being able to spend above their income level in countries where financial restrictions are less binding or differences in adults’ savings due to alternative national social security systems); differences in the population distribution of the relevant groups (for example, differences in the proportion of individuals yet to join the workforce or difference in education levels); and differences in the income share of groups (for example, countries with income concentrated in individuals with low saving rates). The goal of this paper is to address the importance of these differences, with particular interest in the first cause (differences in behavior among population groups). In particular, --- 📄 Full source: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/123245/1/63fdb41d3e3c9.pdf

# Caribbean Passports, Real Returns: Tax, Real Estate, and Mobility Arbitrage for the Ultra-Wealthy ## Executive Summary The true value of Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs extends far beyond visa-free travel. For the ultra-wealthy, these passports serve as strategic instruments for optimizing tax exposure, acquiring yield-generating real estate, compressing relocation timelines, and securing multi-generational family optionality. ## Historical Context & Geopolitical Landscape - **Origins:** St. Kitts and Nevis launched the world’s first CBI framework in 1984. Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia have since followed suit. - **Economic Impact:** These five programs channel billions into regional public finances, infrastructure, and tourism development. - **Geopolitical Pressure:** The EU and US have pushed for stricter due diligence, harmonized rules, and higher thresholds. Caribbean governments have responded by raising minimum investments (often **>$200,000**), increasing background screening, and adopting regional coordination. - **Misconception:** The assumption that passport value evaporates if Schengen access is curtailed is flawed. The "deeper alpha lies in tax, ownership, and timing." ## Tax Architecture Advantages Caribbean jurisdictions offer clean, low-friction tax regimes that simplify cross-border planning and intergenerational wealth transfers: - **St. Kitts and Nevis:** No personal income, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains taxes. - **Antigua and Barbuda:** No tax on personal income, capital gains, or dividends for individuals. Corporate tax applies only to locally generated income. - **Dominica:** Progressive personal income tax, but **no tax** on dividends, capital gains, or inheritances. - **Grenada and St. Lucia:** Primarily tax domestic personal income; foreign-sourced income is excluded. *Key Insight: "Even if you never move full-time to the Caribbean, the mere fact that your citizenship is anchored in a low-friction tax system can alter how you structure holding companies, trusts, and family offices."* ## Real Estate: Yield and Tax-Free Upside CBI-linked real estate is a genuine asset class buoyed by tourism growth and international capital, not just a "compliance purchase." **Rental Yield Snapshots:** - **St. Kitts and Nevis:** >5% (historically mid-single digits for CBI properties) - **Dominica:** 4–5% - **Grenada:** ~4.3% - **Antigua and Barbuda:** ~4% - **St. Lucia:** ~3.5% **Financial Benefits:** - Low property taxes (a fraction of a percent of assessed value). - Absence of capital gains tax in certain jurisdictions. - Rental income and appreciation potential without immediate tax erosion. ## Time Arbitrage - **Processing Speed:** Well-structured CBI applications move from submission to approval in roughly **6 to 8 months**. - **Strategic Advantage:** Traditional migration to the US, Canada, or EU takes years and faces policy uncertainty. Caribbean CBI allows families and executives to compress decision cycles and acquire a "Plan B" within a single fiscal year. ## Mobility Beyond Schengen While Western access is important, Caribbean passports unlock visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to roughly **140 destinations** across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. This facilitates frictionless business operations in emerging global hubs (Singapore, UAE, Kenya, Brazil). ## Multi-Generational Family Optionality - **Inclusivity:** Programs allow bundling spouses, dependent children, unmarried siblings, and dependent parents into a single application, with pathways for future descendants. - **Lifestyle & Infrastructure:** - *Antigua & Barbuda:* International Baccalaureate schools, healthcare investments. - *Dominica:* High safety ratings, wellness-oriented environment. - *Grenada:* Lower climate-risk profile (southern edge of hurricane belt); home to St. George’s University (international medical/vet school). - *St. Lucia:* Expanding digital infrastructure and remote-work policies. ## Conclusion: The Quiet Repricing of Caribbean Citizenship Rising minimums and tightening standards are re-rating Caribbean citizenship as a **premium, curated asset**. **The Core Value Proposition:** 1. A passport anchored in a low-friction tax jurisdiction. 2. A credible claim on a yield-generating real estate market. 3. Faster, flexible mobility across a multipolar world. 4. A multi-generational safety net. > *"Visa-free access to Europe and North America is, in that light, not the product. It’s a bonus. The product is resilience."*

Crowding In Diaspora Capital To Grow The Caribbean BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – At the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s 10th Growth and Resilience Dialogue I had a riverside chat with Dr. David Lowe, Managing Director of the Development Bank of Jamaica, focused on how to pool capital from the Caribbean Diaspora to invest back home and how the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) could approach it. As someone who has lived in the USA for half my life, has moved back to Jamaica to work on more than one occasion and served as the first Future Leaders Representative for the USA on the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board, I am intimately familiar with the problems faced by us in the diaspora wishing to invest back home. I was first asked in the mid-2010s how to get people like me to invest back home. No one pursued the solution that I presented at the Jamaica Stock Exchange Conference: A pooled investment vehicle targeting the average person of Jamaican heritage instead of a fund only open to the wealthy diaspora. An inclusive approach instead of an exclusive one. Dr. David Lowe and David Mullings ## Government-backed Diaspora Bonds My focus since 2018 has been to figure out how to pool capital from the Caribbean diaspora to invest in impactful opportunities back home that contribute to economic growth and generate a profit. I was tired of waiting on other people to solve my problem and had been repeatedly told at town halls that government-backed diaspora bonds similar to Israel’s approach were not the appropriate solution because of the trust deficit between the diaspora and their home countries in the Caribbean region due to the perception, and evidence in too many cases, of corruption. I firmly believe that the democratization of access to investments thanks to mutual funds, index funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) has been transformational for everyday investors. Therefore,I believe that the person with $100 to invest deserves the same access as the person with $1 million. Some people do not share that belief or think that everyday investors are a pain to deal with because of the financial literacy gap. I say that we should educate them like what I had to do at Jamaica National Building Society. A more financially literate society is a good thing. In fact, we should teach the basics about money in high school! I became passionate about solving this specific problem because we Caribbean people abroad have always carried home in our hearts and in our wallets. We send support for schools, do medical missions, help our families, and show up when it matters. But too often, we have not had the chance to own part of the economic future we help to sustain. The Caribbean needs to move from depending heavily on FOREIGN direct investment, FDI, to DIASPORA direct investment, DDI. ## Financial Sector Work Experience My financial sector work experience spans working for a building society designing savings and mortgage products for the Jamaican Diaspora, working in private equity, at a hedge fund and overseeing digital marketing for a large US mutual fund. The alternative funds were limited to 100 investors and could only raise from the wealthy 1% and large institutions. The majority of us who live overseas are not in the 1% and would not be eligible to invest in such a fund managed by an investment manager. In November 2023, Michael Lee-Chin asked me a simple question “What if Berkshire Hathaway had owned Blackstone?” to which I replied “Before Blackstone sold their stake in BlackRock” and now I had a clear recipe from someone who had built their wealth in the Canadian mutual fund industry, the mom and pop investors who I also felt should be included in the growth of the Caribbean (Blackstone is the largest manager of private equity funds in the world and BlackRock is one of the largest managers of public equity funds, though they are now dipping into each other’s markets in recent times). --- 📄 Full source: https://sflcn.com/crowding-in-diaspora-capital-to-grow-the-caribbean/

# How Caribbean Families in Florida Grow Generational Wealth **Source:** Caribbean National Weekly | **Published:** April 14, 2026 --- ## Overview Many Caribbean families in South Florida earn well yet struggle to convert income into lasting generational wealth. This article outlines actionable strategies for shifting from short-term survival to long-term financial legacy. --- ## Key Strategies ### 1. Start with a Clear Wealth Blueprint - Define what wealth means for your family: owning property in Miami, funding education, or supporting relatives back home - Set specific goals (e.g., reaching a **750 credit score** or owning **two income properties**) - **Key Fact:** US Federal Reserve data shows families with **written financial plans** accumulate significantly more wealth over time than those without one ### 2. Build Strong US Credit and Cash Flow Habits - Pay bills on time - Keep credit utilization **below 30%** - Avoid unnecessary debt - **Key Stat:** Average US credit score reached **715 in 2024** (Experian), yet many immigrant households fall below this due to thin credit history - Strong credit unlocks better mortgage rates, business funding, and investment opportunities in Florida's competitive market ### 3. Diversify into Smarter Investments - Move beyond property ownership alone for improved long-term portfolio growth and flexibility - **Abacus** highlighted as an alternative asset management company focused on: - Longevity-based financial strategies - Life settlement investments - Data and actuarial insights for structuring long-term investment solutions - Appeals to individuals thinking in terms of long-term planning beyond traditional asset allocations ### 4. Protect Wealth Through Estate and Cross-Border Planning - Essential for families supporting relatives in **Jamaica, Haiti, or Trinidad** - Requires estate planning reflecting international scope: **wills, trusts, and clear beneficiary blueprints** - **Key Finding:** 2025 Caring Resource Center report found a **declining number of US adults have a will**, putting family assets at risk - Proper planning ensures smooth wealth transfer to heirs and avoids costly legal complications ### 5. Teach the Next Generation Early - Talk openly about money; involve children in basic financial decisions - Encourage saving and investing habits early - **Key Insight:** Cambridge University studies show **money habits form as early as age seven** - Children who understand credit, investing, and ownership early are far more likely to preserve and grow family wealth --- ## Key Takeaway > "You don't need perfect conditions to begin; you need consistent action. Start small, stay disciplined, and make decisions that your future family will thank you for." --- ## Related Caribbean News Headlines - **Caribbean countries** closer to accessing **US$250M climate loss and damage fund** - **Bermuda** earns positive outlook from KBRA amid economic gains - **Tax revenues** increased in more than half of Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024 - **Saint Lucia** hosts 2026 Caribbean Investment Summit (CIS26), May 6-9 - **Guyana-Brazil trade** surges from ~US$58M (2020) to **US$1 billion** (2026) - **Jamaican diaspora** urged to shift from remittances to strategic investment - **IDB and CDB** partner to retrofit Caribbean homes against climate hazards - **CDB** appoints Gillian Charles-Gollop as Vice President, Corporate Services (May 1, 2026) - **KFC Jamaica** contributes JMD$1 million to Child Month, focusing on mental health - **Rise of solopreneurship** highlighted as one-person operations increasingly viable