Research & Writing
A running archive of long-form writing, academic work, and press commentary. Filter by theme below.
Bridgetown Brief
2-min read
On 14 May 2026, the IMF announced a staff-level agreement on a 36-month precautionary Stand-By Arrangement for Barbados, providing access to SDR 189 million should it be needed. What a precautionary arrangement actually signals, and what it means for the rest of the Caribbean, is the more important story.
Bridgetown Brief
2-min read
Antigua and Barbuda ran a 2025 primary surplus near 5 per cent of GDP. The same staff report flagged significant arrears to Paris Club creditors and domestic suppliers. Both sentences are true. They describe the same fiscal year. The instrument that holds them together is the Citizenship-by-Investment programme, and the same instrument tells the opposite story in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Bridgetown Brief
2-min read
Total investment in the Caribbean averaged 28 per cent of regional GDP in 2023, above both OECD and Latin American averages. The OECD and IDB say the figure is misleading. What is driving it, and what it is actually building, tells a different story.
Almost forty years after Errol Barrow delivered his "Mirror Image" speech on 13 May 1986, the question Barrow put to the country is still on the table: what kind of mirror image do you have of yourself? A reflection on civic identity, fiscal choice, and the work nation-building still demands.
Bridgetown Brief
2-min read
On 20 April 2026, 54,300 Barbadians received the first payment under the Cost of Living Cash Credit. The monthly $100 transfer is the social dimension of BERT 2026. The quarterly review on 29 April will show the GDP line. The 54,300 payments processed show something the GDP line does not.
Bridgetown Brief
2-min read
Within six days, the Central Bank of Barbados made two announcements that say more about the economy than either one does on its own. Fiscal discipline without credit access is austerity by another name; with it, it is a strategy that can hold.
Bridgetown Brief
2-min read
Fitch says Barbados’ fiscal trajectory is improving. It also says the tourism base underneath is not. Cruise arrivals are up 9.6 per cent; stay-overs only 3.3. Volume has outpaced value. When Fitch flags tourism, it is flagging the ground everything else is standing on.
Bridgetown Brief
2-min read
On 16 April 2026, ahead of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters that “even our most hopeful scenario involves a growth downgrade.” The next day, the Fund’s World Economic Outlook confirmed the shape.
Everyone confidently claims to offer foresight, despite relying on lagging data. Corporate profits, GDP figures, and “the economy feels fine” headlines usually arrive after markets have already moved. If you’re trying to understand risk before it shows up in your portfolio, you need a weekly checklist centred
On January 3, 2026, the United States launched a large-scale operation in Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were kidnapped or captured (depends on your lens), with U.S. officials saying Maduro would face U.S. charges and that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela during a transition.
On 3 January 2026, the United States launched a large-scale operation in Venezuela. President Maduro and his wife were captured, with U.S. officials saying Maduro would face charges and that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela during a transition.
Three central banks, three slightly different stories: The US Federal Reserve has just cut rates again, taking the federal funds rate down to 3.5–3.75 per cent. Inflation is running at roughly 3 per cent, core PCE is in the high-2s, unemployment has drifted up to about 4.5 per cent.
Three central banks, three slightly different stories. The US Federal Reserve has just cut rates again, taking the federal funds rate down to 3.5–3.75 per cent. Inflation is running at roughly 3 per cent, core PCE is in the high-2s, unemployment has drifted up to about 4.5 per cent. What this means for the Caribbean.
Over the past quarter, the US agreed to purchase a 9.9% stake in Intel as part of a CHIPS-linked package, with additional options tied to programme milestones. The Department of Defence committed to a convertible-preferred and warrant package in MP Materials that, if fully converted and exercised, would equate.
Over the past quarter, the US agreed to purchase a 9.9% stake in Intel as part of a CHIPS-linked package. The Department of Defence committed to a convertible-preferred and warrant package in MP Materials that, if fully converted, would be an eye-opening position for a sovereign.
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have left a trail of destruction that’s hard to put into words. Over 23,700 acres burned, more than 12,300 structures destroyed, and thousands of families displaced. It’s a story of heartbreak, resilience, and daunting economic challenges.
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have left a trail of destruction that's hard to put into words. Over 23,700 acres burned, more than 12,300 structures destroyed, and thousands of families displaced. A story of heartbreak, resilience, and daunting economic challenges.
In today’s fast-paced, competitive business environment, data has emerged as a company’s most valuable asset. The ability to analyse and interpret data has transformed how businesses operate, strategise, and grow. With the rise of big data, companies now have access to unprecedented amounts of information.
In today's fast-paced, competitive business environment, data has emerged as a company's most valuable asset. The ability to analyse and interpret data has transformed how businesses operate, strategise, and grow.
Barbados faces a critical population challenge that threatens its economic stability, social fabric, and long-term sustainability. Over the past few decades, the island nation has seen a significant decline in its population, coupled with an ageing demographic that presents complex challenges.
Barbados faces a critical population challenge that threatens its economic stability, social fabric, and long-term sustainability. The island has seen a significant decline in its population, coupled with an ageing demographic that presents complex challenges.
Barbados faces significant demographic challenges, including a declining population, as highlighted by the 2021 Population and Housing Census. A multi-faceted approach is required to address these challenges, focusing on supporting pregnant women and mothers and incentivising childbirth through various policies that have proven effective in other countries.
Barbados faces significant demographic challenges, including a declining population, as highlighted by the 2021 Population and Housing Census. A multi-faceted approach is required, including support for pregnant women and mothers through policies proven effective elsewhere.
The turn of the 21st century marked significant economic challenges and opportunities for Barbados, necessitating strategic decisions that have significantly shaped its economic landscape. Among these, the Barbados National Bank (BNB) sale to Republic Bank Limited (RBTT) in 2003 and substantial investments in tourism infrastructure.
The turn of the 21st century marked significant economic challenges and opportunities for Barbados. The Barbados National Bank sale to Republic Bank Limited in 2003 and substantial investments in tourism infrastructure have significantly shaped the economic landscape since.
In the era of the information revolution, data has emerged as a crucial asset for decision-making. The relevance of data collection, analysis, and utilisation is particularly pronounced in developing countries and small island developing states, where it can be a game-changer in addressing unique developmental challenges.
In the era of the information revolution, data has emerged as a crucial asset for decision-making. The relevance of data collection, analysis, and utilisation is particularly pronounced in developing countries and small island developing states, where it can be a game-changer.
In an ever-shifting global environment, the ability to discern and accommodate emerging currents is not merely advantageous but paramount for the endurance and prosperity of enterprises and countries. This holds particularly true in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), a technology reshaping sectors and national economies.
In an ever-shifting global environment, the ability to discern and accommodate emerging currents is not merely advantageous but paramount for enterprises and countries. This holds particularly true in the age of artificial intelligence.
In this pivotal age where climatic flux constitutes a dire peril to our natural and economic terrains, monetary governance and ecological prudence have ascended to unparalleled prominence. Strategic fiscal tools can carve beneficial environmental impacts and bolster against climatological fiscal perils.
In this pivotal age where climatic flux constitutes a dire peril to our natural and economic terrains, monetary governance and ecological prudence have ascended to unparalleled prominence. Strategic fiscal tools can carve beneficial environmental impacts.
The Caribbean’s economic resurgence after the pandemic has undeniably garnered commendation. However, with the global economic landscape growing increasingly intricate, the region, inclusive of Barbados, now confronts fresh trials. The United States, United Kingdom, and European markets, serving as principal reservoirs of tourism, investment, and trade.
The Caribbean's economic resurgence after the pandemic has garnered commendation. But with the global landscape growing increasingly intricate, the region (Barbados included) confronts fresh trials.
In a world where economic tides turn swiftly, the financial health of Americans has become a litmus test for the robustness of the global economic order. As we navigate through the labyrinth of the 21st-century economy, marked by its mercurial nature, understanding the key indicators of financial health.
What the key indicators of American financial health show, and why they matter for the global economic order. A look at household balance sheets, debt patterns, and the metrics that signal stress before the headline numbers move.
Delving into the delicate equilibrium of American fiscal affairs is to navigate a precarious economic stratum of indebtedness and savings. The ensuing examination casts a stark light upon the disturbing patterns of savings deficit, debt accumulation, and economic vulnerability permeating U.S. households.
The patterns of savings deficit, debt accumulation, and financial vulnerability across American households. What the numbers say about how exposed US consumers are, and what that exposure means for the broader economy.
The spectre of colonialism continues to loom over many nations, casting a shadow that stretches from the plains of Africa to the islands of the Caribbean and the diverse landscapes of Latin America. It’s a past woven with the threads of subjugation and exploitation.
The spectre of colonialism continues to loom over many nations, casting a shadow that stretches from the plains of Africa to the islands of the Caribbean and the diverse landscapes of Latin America.
To achieve consistent and sustainable economic growth, Barbados and other Caribbean countries could adopt a multifaceted approach that carefully balances capital and infrastructure projects with the country’s financial constraints and the need to manage debt prudently. Short-term Tourism Enhancement Immediately boost the tourism sector by upgrading tourism infrastructure.
Essay
3-min read
A review of American households’ savings, debt, and economic susceptibility. With $17 trillion in consumer debt and mortgage rates at two-decade peaks, the financial standing of many is fragile across the income spectrum — and the implications reach beyond US borders.
To achieve consistent and sustainable economic growth, Barbados and other Caribbean countries could adopt a multifaceted approach that balances capital and infrastructure projects with the country's financial constraints and the need to manage debt prudently.
A Collective Endeavour: In the Caribbean, where each island is woven into a vibrant mosaic of cultures and histories, there lies a unified commitment to the workforce. This article reflects upon this crucial subject of protecting workers’ common interests across our region.
Join us in changing the way workers rights are being represented in Barbados. Vote on April 1st 2015.
Join us in changing the way workers' rights are being represented in Barbados.
PhD Thesis
In progress at UWI Cave Hill.
An empirical investigation of how inequality shapes, and is shaped by, the growth trajectories of small island developing states, with an emphasis on the Caribbean. Expected completion: to be confirmed.
Initiative
Concept in development
A proposed digital financing ecosystem using blockchain and tokenisation to channel investment into terrestrial and marine sustainability projects. Designed for small island developing states first.
Read the executive summary →
Data product
Quarterly · Issue No. 01 · May 2026
A quarterly open dataset on Caribbean public debt sustainability. Eleven economies, five metrics, refreshed against each new IMF World Economic Outlook release.
Read the framework →
Weekly column
A short weekly dispatch on what's moving in Caribbean economies, fiscal policy, and the long view. Written plain enough for the general reader, substantive enough to be useful to the practitioner.
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The Third Arrangement
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