Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2010-2011: improving economic prospects amid global recovery

Abstract

This survey provides an overview of the economic performance of the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, together with the eight member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) countries for 2010 and their outlook for 2011. The first section is a summary of the main issues raised in the report including an assessment of the economic prospects for 2011. Chapter II analyses the impact of the global economy on the subregion then provides a comparative analysis of the GDP and sectoral growth performance. This is followed by the subsection on fiscal policy and the public debt. The next subsections focuses on monetary and financial policies, policies implemented to cope with the global crisis, the balance of payments and economic prospects for 2011 and recommendations. Chapter III presents country briefs for the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, together with a subregional assessment of the eight member countries of the ECCU. A statistical appendix is also added to support the subregional analysis and country briefs.