The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is projecting that the Region will experience economic growth of approximately 1.7 percent in 2017. However, CDB Director of Economics, Dr. Justin Ram, warns that this will not be enough to stimulate employment, particularly among youth, and reduce high regional debt levels. He points to the need for a long-term action plan that will allow the Region to participate in global supply chains, and drive sustainable economic growth.

“In this endeavor, it would be necessary to reform governance structures and institutions to support the new paradigm. Governments would have to be willing to stabilize their economies through fiscal and debt consolidation, implement structural reforms that enhance growth and develop strong, targeted social development programmes,” he said.

Dr. Ram notes that fiscal reforms are necessary if the Region is to break the cycle of high debt and low growth. These must include proper institutions and frameworks to manage and mitigate debt.

With respect to specific policy actions, Dr. Ram says that some reforms can be implemented immediately, and will have an impact on inclusive growth. These include the reduction of trade barriers, the use of public-private partnerships to close infrastructure and service gaps, the promotion of green energy production, the divestment of state owned assets to enhance value and efficiency and strengthening of the banking sector. Dr. Ram also recommended that governments make efforts to engage the Caribbean’s vast regional diaspora.

The Director of Economics noted that underpinning such reforms is the need for a good governance agenda. He pointed out that governments must strive for accountability, and fiscal discipline, with a focus on ensuring value for money.

In his presentation, he noted that the action plan must drive sustainable prosperity and place greater focus on the private sector as an engine of economic growth, through targeted improvements in the doing-business environment. In support of this effort, Dr. Ram also recommended targeted assistance programmes for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), such as the stimulation of junior stock exchanges and other funding mechanisms, in sectors that have significant growth and employment potential.