Tag: IDB

Kingston Creative partners with IDB Lab to enhance global market access for Creative Entrepreneurs

February 16, 2021

Andrea Dempster Chung is one of those determined Jamaican women who sticks to their vision, remains focused, and makes it happen. Kingston Creative – that blossoming of the arts in downtown Kingston – is her brainchild and a shining example of the amazing potential of Jamaica’s creative industries. My favorite memory of the pre-COVID days … More Kingston Creative partners with IDB Lab to enhance global market access for Creative Entrepreneurs

IDB Invest and JMMB Bank promote access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises in Jamaica

February 1, 2021

We are constantly seeking solutions, in these uncertain times. Why are small and medium-sized enterprises missing out so badly on financing? The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has partnered with JMMB Bank (Jamaica) Limited to try to address this. IDB Invest, a member of the IDB Group, signed an agreement with JMMB Bank (Jamaica) Limited, which … More IDB Invest and JMMB Bank promote access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises in Jamaica

IDB Mobilizes $1 billion for COVID-19 financing in Latin America and the Caribbean

December 17, 2020

The COVID-19 vaccine – who will be first in line, when will it arrive, how much, and whether it is safe – in all its permutations has become a continuous topic of conversation on social media, ever since news broke this week of the first vaccine administered in the United States, to a Jamaican-born nurse … More IDB Mobilizes $1 billion for COVID-19 financing in Latin America and the Caribbean

IDB urges Caribbean economies to invest in infrastructure to secure post-COVID growth

November 20, 2020

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has just released its latest Quarterly Bulletin, which you can download at this link. The analysis for Jamaica can be found at pages 58 – 63. The IDB notes: “The shock to Jamaica’s economic output in 2020 is likely to be the largest on record,” but adds: “The Government of … More IDB urges Caribbean economies to invest in infrastructure to secure post-COVID growth

ICYMI in Jamaica: September 29, 2020 – The Law and Order Edition

September 30, 2020

Well, the past week has been – I would say, chaotic. We point fingers at the Americans and the British madly partying during the pandemic, but we have had some shameful incidents ourselves. What has gone wrong? COVID-19 protocols are being flouted uptown, downtown and in rural areas. Gang violence seems to be on the … More ICYMI in Jamaica: September 29, 2020 – The Law and Order Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica, September 8, 2020: (No) Princes and Princesses, Election Aftermath, and Women in the News

September 9, 2020

Jamaicans are election-weary and COVID-weary. With the first one out of the way (what a relief, really), we still have the second to contend with. September is generally considered the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season and this year we have already had two brushes with Laura and Nana, but expect more rumblings from west … More ICYMI in Jamaica, September 8, 2020: (No) Princes and Princesses, Election Aftermath, and Women in the News

Are We Trying Hard Enough to Preserve Our Mangroves in Jamaica?

July 27, 2020

Today (July 26) is World Mangrove Day. What does this mean for Jamaica? Regrettably, the average Jamaican might regard mangrove areas as dirty, smelly, somewhat scary places (scary because endangered American Crocodiles live there) – and riddled with mosquitoes. What possible benefits could they bring to the island? Personally, I find wetland areas in Jamaica … More Are We Trying Hard Enough to Preserve Our Mangroves in Jamaica?

At-Risk Groups Will Soon be Able to Self-Screen for COVID-19

July 22, 2020

This is such good news. I am sharing with you all, because it cannot come soon enough. Telemedicine has been talked about for long enough in Jamaica – now at last here is the opportunity provided by this pandemic to protect vulnerable groups – who should not be leaving home, and who don’t wish to … More At-Risk Groups Will Soon be Able to Self-Screen for COVID-19

Revitalizing the Caribbean Tourism Sector: The IDB’s Innovation Challenge

July 14, 2020

Our tourism sector has not yet emerged from the doldrums. In Jamaica, while battling COVID-19 with what appear to be depleting resources, we “opened up” to tourism on June 15. Now, close to one month later, we seem to be just feeling our way. Nevertheless, our ever-upbeat Minister of Tourism Ed Bartlett told us a few … More Revitalizing the Caribbean Tourism Sector: The IDB’s Innovation Challenge

IDB Champions Caribbean’s Transition to Resilient Renewable Energy at CREF 2019

October 15, 2019

The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) is taking place in Miami this week. The Inter-American Development Bank is a major sponsor and will host sessions on the Blue Economy and on electric vehicles. I am not completely “sold” on the Blue Economy; I think the Caribbean may have already missed the boat, and where exactly … More IDB Champions Caribbean’s Transition to Resilient Renewable Energy at CREF 2019