Contemporary Issues Within Caribbean Economies

“Contemporary Issues within Caribbean Economies offers an exceptional blend of practical policy making experience and fresh academic insight to the economic challenges faced by the region. A must read for all who are passionate about changing the region’s development trajectory, the authors discuss sources of inflows such as tourism, foreign direct investment, and remittances, highlighting their significance as well as susceptibility to sudden stops. The volume is also very timely — current issues such as debt, employment, health, and technology receive prominence, but importantly it provides forward insight into how the region should adapt to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.” — Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon, President, Caribbean Development Bank and former Advisor, International Monetary Fund The Caribbean economy remains a region with many paradoxes. Despite a relative abundance of natural and valuable resources, including its people, large segments ofthe region still grapple with, inter alia, unsustainable debt levels, environmental degradation, high unemployment, climate change, limited technological innovation, soaring energy costs, remittance and tourism dependency, adverse exchange rates, noncommunicable diseases, and domestic politics. The poorest countries remain more vulnerable to external factors related to trade and global financial sector issues. This edited volume takes a closer look at the contemporary issues related to the economies of the Caribbean. The book provides an added dimension in that each of the chapters includes the contributions of a scholar with lived experiences in and knowledge of the region. Indeed, the book underscores the detailed evidence-based research and perspectives on topics providing insights into the current landscape of the Caribbean. Ultimately, understanding the Caribbean in its varied contexts is an important milestone in pursuing policies that will contribute to flourishing economies replete with sustained growth and development. Dr. Colin Cannonier is an Associate Professor of Economics at Belmont University and fellow at the Global Labor Organization. He was a first-class cricketer and economist at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. Dr. Monica Galloway Burke is a Professor in the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs at Western Kentucky University.