Search Result for: public debt

154 results found.

What Are Jamaica’s Options on Public-Sector Wages?

By Dennis Chung CJ Contributor ONCE again the public sector wage negotiation is the main topic of the day in Jamaica. This was also the case in 2004, when the first round of wage freezes was agreed. Then, just like […]

Moody’s Upgrades Belize Credit Rating, Warns of “Debt Overhang”

Above: Parliament in Belmopan By the Caribbean Journal staff New York-based Moody’s has upgraded the credit rating on Belize’s government bonds, the firm announced Monday. The rating has been lifted to Caa2 from Ca, with a “stable” outlook. The move […]

Grenada Plans to Restructure Debt

Above: Grenada (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Grenada’s government will undertake a “comprehensive and collaborative restructuring of its public debt, it announced this weekend. The government said “circumstances have forced” the move, which will include its US and […]

Standard & Poor’s Raises Jamaica Credit Rating After Debt Exchange

Above: Kingston (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Following a similar move by Fitch last week, Standard & Poor’s has raised Jamaica’s foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings to “CCC+” and out of default. The move came after […]

Jamaica “Finalizing” IMF Agreement, Plans Debt Exchange Offer

Above: Kingston (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica is now “finalizing” a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund, along with a debt exchange offer to be made Tuesday, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said in a national […]

IMF: St Kitts and Nevis Makes “Significant Progress” on Debt Restructuring

Above: Nevis (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff St Kitts and Nevis has made “significant progress” on restructuring the country’s public debt, according to the International Monetary Fund, which recently completed its fourth review of the country’s economic performance […]

Op-Ed: Belize’s Debt Payment

By Kay Menzies Op-Ed Contributor Certain realities are very much present in our daily economic life in Belize. For example, the population is, at this point, fully aware that we have a huge debt burden relative to our country’s size. […]

S&P Maintains Negative Outlook on Jamaica, Citing Debt, Low Growth

Above: Kingston By the Caribbean Journal staff Standard & Poor’s has maintained its negative outlook for Jamaica, while affirming its “B-/B” long and short-term sovereign credit ratings on the country, the ratings firm announced. “Our ratings on Jamaica reflect its […]

UN: Public Sector Donors in Haiti Have Disbursed $2.79 Billion Since 2010

Above: Bill Clinton visiting Haiti in 2010 (UN Photo/Logan Abassi) By the Caribbean Journal staff A total of $2.79 billion in public sector pledges has been disbursed in Haiti since 2010, according to an analysis from the United Nations Office […]

Op-Ed: Jamaica’s Debt Trap

By Kent Gammon Op-Ed Contributor The state of the Jamaican economy over successive administrations tells the story of Jamaica’s evolving debt trap. The distinction that should be appreciated amongst successive administrations is how well each managed (or perhaps more appropriately […]

Jamaica’s Debt Interest Payments Were World’s Highest in 2011: Report

Above: Kingston By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica’s “unsustainable public debt burden” continues to displace needed investments, preventing long-term growth, according to a new paper from the Center for Economic and Policy Research. In 2011, Jamaica had the highest debt […]

Douglas: St Kitts and Nevis Debt Will Be Among Region’s “Most Sustainable”

Above: Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas (Photo: Erasmus Williams) By the Caribbean Journal staff St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas is calling the acceptance of an exchange offer to restructure the country’s external debt “a historic day […]

Haiti Plans Response After Fire Destroys Public Market in Tabarre

Above, from left: Interior Minister Thierry Mayard-Paul and President Michel Martelly (Photo: OP) By the Caribbean Journal staff The Haitian government is planning a response to a fire that destroyed the public market in Tabarre, according to the National Palace. […]

Economist Dr Michael Witter on Debt, Globalisation and the Jamaican Economy

By Alexander Britell Dr Michael Witter is an economist and senior lecturer at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies at the University of the West Indies Mona. He is also one of the Caribbean’s experts on […]

How Tourism Saves Jamaica

By David P Rowe Op-Ed Contributor During the recent Greek debt crisis, commentators have been referring to Jamaica as an example of another country with a huge debt burden. This is true — Jamaica’s gross public debt hovers higher than […]

The State of Aruba’s Economy

Above: Aruba By the Caribbean Journal staff Aruba’s economy is “recovering gradually” from a “severe double-dip recession,” according to the International Monetary Fund, which recently concluded its 2015 Article IV Mission to the Dutch Caribbean island. The recession was recovered […]

Grenada: IMF Approves $2.9 Million Disbursement Following Review

Above: Grenada (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board has completed its first review of Grenada’s performance under a three-year programme supported by an Extended Credit Facility. The review’s completion means Grenada will now […]

IMF: Jamaica “On Track”

Above: Kingston (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica’s International Monetary Fund programme is “on track” and policy implementation “remains strong,” according to the IMF, which recently concluded a staff review mission to the country. “Jamaica’s economic transformation programme […]

St Vincent and the Grenadines to Receive $6.4M IMF Disbursement

Above: St Vincent (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board has approved a $6.4 million disbursement to St Vincent and the Grenadines, the organization announced Friday. The funding will be drawn from a Rapid […]

Grenada, IMF Reach $21.9M Agreement

Above: Grenada By the Caribbean Journal staff The government of Grenada and the International Monetary Fund have reached a staff-level agreement, the IMF announced. The economic programme will be supported by a three-year, $21.9 million extended credit facility, according to […]

IMF Projects “Continued Recovery in Tourism” in St Kitts and Nevis

Above: St Kitts (CJ Photo) St Kitts and Nevis is making “considerable progress” in its economic reform programme, according to the International Monetary Fund, which recently concluded a visit to the twin-island federation. The IMF mission, which began Jan. 20 […]

IMF: Barbados Faces “Considerable Economic Challenges”

Above: Barbados (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Barbados continues to face “considerable economic challenges,” according to the International Monetary Fund. The fund recently concluded 10 days of discussions with Barbados for the 2013 Article IV consultation, led by […]

World Bank Approves $130 Million Loan For Jamaica

Above: the World Bank By the Caribbean Journal staff The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a $130 million development policy loan for Jamaica. The loan aims to promote “economic stability, debt sustainability and improve competitiveness in Jamaica,” according […]

Phillips: Jamaica Must Make “Hard Financial Decisions Now”

Above: Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips By the Caribbean Journal staff It is time for Jamaica to make “the hard financial decisions now,” to protect future generations, according to Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips. The Minister, who was speaking in […]

IMF Approves $932 Million Jamaica Deal

Above: Kingston (CJ Photo) By Alexander Britell The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board has approved a $932.3 million Extended Fund Facility arrangement for Jamaica, it announced Wednesday. The four-year EFF represents the equivalent of 225 percent of Jamaica’s quota in […]

IMF: St Lucia to See Pick-Up in Agriculture, Tourism in 2013

Above: St Lucia By the Caribbean Journal staff Following a period of “anemic” activity since the beginning of the downturn, economic activity in St Lucia is poised to “regain some momentum in 2013,” according to the International Monetary Fund, which […]

IMF: Jamaica Must Address Structural Impediments to Growth

Above: Kingston (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica must address “with urgency” the structural impediments to the country’s growth, including its excessive debt burden, the International Monetary Fund said following its visit to the country. The statement by […]

IMF: Tourism Uptick, New Construction to Lead St Kitts and Nevis Recovery

Above: St Kitts (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The International Monetary Fund lowered its growth estimate for St Kitts and Nevis in 2012 from -0.7 percent to -0.9 percent, but an economic recovery is reportedly on the way […]

The Caribbean’s Most Exciting New Rooftop Bar Is In Antigua