The Caribbean region is facing continuous challenges to development – however,
as new research released this month from the Centre for International Governance
Innovation (CIGI) shows, there are substantive and relevant policy prescriptions
to current economic governance problems.
CIGI’s most recent research on Caribbean economic governance examines three
issues facing the region: migration, trade relations and the region’s reliance
on tourism.
Beyond Tourism: The Future of the Services Industry in the Caribbean by
Daniel P. Erikson and Joyce Lawrence argues that the services sector may serve
as an important source of economic growth. This will be possible only if the
region moves beyond tourism to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the
areas of banking and financial services, call centres and information and
communications technology, off-shore education, health services and
transportation.
Remote in the Eastern Caribbean: The Antigua-US WTO Internet Gambling Case by
CIGI Associate Director and Distinguished Fellow Andrew F. Cooper challenges
standard assumptions about the workings of the international trading system by
profiling the “David vs. Goliath” case that Antigua has pursued against the
United States in the World Trade Organization.
The case exemplifies what a small country like Antigua can do to respond to
dynamic changes imposed by globalisation, confirming that Caribbean nations can
sometimes punch above their weights in international relations.
First, Do No Harm: The Role and Responsibility of Canada as a Destination
Country in South-North Migration by Laura Ritchie Dawson takes a look at the
role that receiving countries’ policies, such as Canada’s, can play in reducing
the negative effects of outward migration of permanent and temporary workers on
the sending countries’ economic and social development. The paper outlines a set
of policies for Canada that can help ensure a “triple win” that benefits the
sending countries, the wealthy receiving states and the migrants themselves.
The Caribbean Papers are a product of CIGI’s Project on Caribbean Economic
Governance.
The project convenes researchers and leaders within the private and public
sectors to look at specific economic challenges facing the region and policy
prescriptions that will help the Caribbean countries deal with lacklustre
economic growth, poverty and continuing high rates of unemployment and
government debt.
“The Caribbean region has liberal institutions, viable tourism, agricultural
industries, proximity to large markets, and monetary stability,” Daniel
Schwanen, CIGI’s acting executive director said.
“But the current global competition is posing significant problems. Policies,
both in the Caribbean and in the countries that receive its citizens, could be
altered to benefit all.”
Economic issues as well as the role of leadership and public sector reform
will be examined in the series of research papers on directions needed to
accelerate growth and foster the region’s ability to achieve its economic
potential.
The outcome of the project will include policy ideas to help the region carve
a more profitable and sustainable niche in the global economy.
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