Problem Loans in the Caribbean: Determinants, Impact and Strategies for Resolution

Problem Loans in the Caribbean: Determinants, Impact and Strategies for Resolution
Author: Ms.Kimberly Beaton
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 54
Release: 2017-11-07
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484327020

The high level of nonperforming loans (NPLs) in the Caribbean has been, in large part, a legacy of the global financial crisis, but their persistence owes much to the weak economic recovery in the region, as well as to structural obstacles to their resolution. A comprehensive strategy is needed to address these impediments to sever the adverse feedback loops between weak economic activity and weak asset quality. This paper finds that NPLs are a drag on Caribbean growth and macro-financial links are strong: a deterioration in asset quality hinders bank lending and dampens economic activity, undermining, in turn, efforts to resolve problem loans. A multifaceted approach is needed, involving a combination of macro- economic policies to support growth and employment; strong supervisory frameworks to ensure macro-financial stability and create incentives for resolution; efforts to address informational gaps and deficiencies in insolvency and debt-enforcement frameworks; and development of markets for distressed loans. The institutional capacity constraints require coordination of reforms within the region and support from international organizations through capacity-building.

Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean

Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean
Author: Mr.Krishna Srinivasan
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2017-11-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484315197

This book provides a diagnosis of the central economic and financial challenges facing Caribbean policymakers and offers broad policy recommendations for promoting a sustained and inclusive increase in economic well-being. The analysis highlights the need for Caribbean economies to make a concerted effort to break the feedback loops between weak macroeconomic fundamentals, notably pertaining to fiscal positions and financial sector strains, and structural impediments, such as high electricity costs, limited financial deepening, violent crime, and brain drain, which have depressed private investment and growth. A recurring theme in the book is the need for greater regional coordination in finding solutions to address the Caribbean’s shared and intertwined macroeconomic and structural challenges. The analysis suggests that strengthening regional and global market integration of Caribbean economies would provide an impetus to sustained growth in incomes and jobs. Greater regional and global economic integration would also facilitate structural transformation and a shift toward new economic activities, resulting in more diversified and less vulnerable economies. A central challenge for the Caribbean is thus to come together as a region, overcome the limitations posed by size, and garner the benefits of globalization. Efforts should build on existing regional arrangements; accelerating progress in implementing these agreements would stimulate trade. Policymakers could also promote deeper integration with Latin America and the rest of the world by pursuing new trade agreements, leveraging current agreements more effectively, or deepening them to include areas beyond traditional trade issues, and developing port and transport infrastructure.

Climate Change Challenges and Opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean

Climate Change Challenges and Opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean
Author: Anna Ivanova
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 187
Release: 2024-07-19
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

The analysis in the book suggests that LAC countries are facing substantial challenges related to climate change but have tools at their disposal to seize the opportunities that the climate change presents. To maximize opportunities and minimize the risks LAC countries will need to improve flexibility and adaptability of their economies. Policies aimed at supporting the reallocation of labor and capital across sectors, investing in basic skills and human capital, improving transparency and economic governance to encourage investment in technology and know-how, and creating fiscal space to manage the climate transition would help LAC countries position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the climate transition.

An Ethical Turn in Governance

An Ethical Turn in Governance
Author: Pearson A. Broome
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 299
Release: 2021-04-09
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1498591981

The recurring image throughout the developing world is one of the disintegration of civil order debilitating leaders into a crisis of governance. Not a day goes by without extensive media coverage of some form of corruption, perceived or real, concerning the lack of productivity and/or increasing incidences of fraud and unethical behavior. An Ethical Turn in Governance: The Call for a New Development Narrative posits that the intensification of this crisis is compatible with the root cause of capitalist modernization with its rapid and disorientating changes. To mitigate the accompanying effects, a call is made for [re]conceptualization of the search for a solution through incorporating and strengthening the value of an ethical consciousness in our thinking and policies of governance. The idea is an urgent possibility, perhaps even a controversial and ambitious proposal, for countriesto begin imagining how it might be brought about and what it would look like. The central aim and objective is to move toward a framework for continued theory development and empirical research, thereby offering a new narrative on governance and, by extension, development. Recognizing that the inclusion of an ethical turn in governance is fraught with difficulty because of the different opinions, the relativism of different value systems, and options identified often derived from the perspectives of various stakeholders, a call is made for an interactive discourse in the public sphere. The argument advanced is that a body politic with sensible social values germane to the policy process is the best way in which human conduct is ordered, guided, and appraised in order to live together in well-functioning societies critical for the success of any democracy.

Kingdom of the Netherlands-Curaçao and Sint Maarten

Kingdom of the Netherlands-Curaçao and Sint Maarten
Author: International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 94
Release: 2022-08-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

The economies of Curaçao and Sint Maarten are recovering from the pandemic but facing multiple challenges, including spillovers from the war in Ukraine. Curaçao was in a protracted recession even before the pandemic due to spillovers from the Venezuelan crisis. Sint Maarten needs to fully recover not only from the pandemic, but also from the devastating 2017 hurricanes.

Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts? Strengthening Caribbean Regional Integration

Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts? Strengthening Caribbean Regional Integration
Author: Abdullah Al-Hassan
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 79
Release: 2020-01-17
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513525867

Deeper economic integration within the Caribbean has been a regional policy priority since the establishment of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the decision to create the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Implementation of integration initiatives has, however, been slow, despite the stated commitment of political leaders. The “implementation deficit” has led to skepticism about completing the CSME and controversy regarding its benefits. This paper analyzes how Caribbean integration has evolved, discusses the obstacles to progress, and explores the potential benefits from greater integration. It argues that further economic integration through liberalization of trade and labor mobility can generate significant macroeconomic benefits, but slow progress in completing the institutional arrangements has hindered implementation of the essential components of the CSME and progress in economic integration. Advancing institutional integration through harmonization and rationalization of key institutions and processes can reduce the fixed costs of institutions, providing the needed scale and boost to regional integration. Greater cooperation in several functional policy areas where the region is facing common challenges can also provide low-hanging fruit, creating momentum toward full integration as the Community continues to address the obstacles to full economic integration.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Author: International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 105
Release: 2022-11-17
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is recovering from the pandemic and 2021 volcanic eruptions. Despite the authorities’ strong efforts to contain deficits, critical fiscal responses to these shocks pushed up public debt, which—while assessed as sustainable—remains at high risk of distress should future shocks materialize. The economy is projected to grow by 5 percent in 2022, supported by large-scale investment projects and recoveries in tourism and agriculture. Surging commodity prices, fueled by Russia’s war in Ukraine, are expected to raise inflation sharply to 5.8 percent in 2022, adding to fiscal and external pressures and weighing on the recovery. So far, the financial system has weathered the shocks relatively well. The outlook is subject to significant downside risks primarily from an abrupt slowdown in trading partners’ growth, potential delays in investment projects including due to supply chain disruptions, and the ever-present threat of frequent natural disasters.

Excerpt: Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean

Excerpt: Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean
Author: Mr.Krishna Srinivasan
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 33
Release: 2017-09-29
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484322150

This book provides a diagnosis of the central economic and financial challenges facing Caribbean policymakers and offers broad policy recommendations for promoting a sustained and inclusive increase in economic well-being. The analysis highlights the need for Caribbean economies to make a concerted effort to break the feedback loops between weak macroeconomic fundamentals, notably pertaining to fiscal positions and financial sector strains, and structural impediments, such as high electricity costs, limited financial deepening, violent crime, and brain drain, which have depressed private investment and growth. A recurring theme in the book is the need for greater regional coordination in finding solutions to address the Caribbean’s shared and intertwined macroeconomic and structural challenges. The analysis suggests that strengthening regional and global market integration of Caribbean economies would provide an impetus to sustained growth in incomes and jobs. Greater regional and global economic integration would also facilitate structural transformation and a shift toward new economic activities, resulting in more diversified and less vulnerable economies. A central challenge for the Caribbean is thus to come together as a region, overcome the limitations posed by size, and garner the benefits of globalization. Efforts should build on existing regional arrangements; accelerating progress in implementing these agreements would stimulate trade. Policymakers could also promote deeper integration with Latin America and the rest of the world by pursuing new trade agreements, leveraging current agreements more effectively, or deepening them to include areas beyond traditional trade issues, and developing port and transport infrastructure.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Author: International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 75
Release: 2017-12-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 148433499X

This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that growth in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2017 is expected to remain relatively flat. The current account deficit is expected to narrow reflecting additional profit repatriation by telecommunication companies. The domestic banking system remains stable, but credit to the private sector has been flat. The fiscal situation is projected to worsen substantially in 2017 owing to a projected decline in tax revenue after exceptional receipts in 2016 and higher outlays for transfers, subsidies and public investment. Growth is expected to pick up to 2.1 percent in 2018 and reach its potential over the medium-term.