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Business and Economics > Finance: General

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Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Grenada: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Grenada
International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Through end-June 2024, Grenada’s economy was experiencing sustained strong growth supported by buoyant tourism, moderating inflation, and a narrowing current account deficit. A surge in Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) revenue supported a strong improvement in budget balances, a build-up of government deposits, and a reduction in public debt. On July 1, Hurricane Beryl caused damage in excess of 16 percent of GDP on the Grenadian islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, as well as in the northern parishes of the main island, affecting around 15 percent of the population. In response, the authorities triggered the suspension of fiscal rules to permit temporary deficit spending in support of the recovery and reconstruction.
Keywords:
infrastructure investment facility; IIP source data; TA mission; CBI revenue; tourism infrastructure; CBI program; Natural disasters; Caribbean; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Grenada: 2023 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
The 2023 Article IV Consultation analyses that the Grenada’ tourism-dependent economy continued to recover from the pandemic amidst rising energy and food prices. Growth is estimated to have reached 6.4 percent in 2022, driven by a tourism rebound and construction activity. Inflation rose moderately to 2.9 percent by end-2022, as the authorities’ policy response dampened the pass through from rising global food and fuel prices. Public debt is now back on a downward trend. The financial sector is well capitalized and liquid although nonperforming loans (NPLs) of credit unions have risen. The government is committed to a return to the fiscal rules in 2023, after triggering the escape clause in 2020–22 to address the fallout of the pandemic. It planned to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Law this year to best support the country’s sustainable development. The government is seeking international support to facilitate the implementation of its Disaster Resilience Strategy and a transition toward renewable energy, critical for enhancing resilience to natural disasters and economic competitiveness.
Keywords:
Policy effort; CPI basket; IIP datum; Policy advice; calculation system; IMF's transparency policy; policy priority; Credit bureaus; External sector statistics; Natural disasters; Global; Caribbean
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Trinidad and Tobago: Technical Assistance Report-Strengthening Cybersecurity in Financial Institutions
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This technical note evaluates strengthening cybersecurity in financial institutions of Trinidad and Tobago. The deliverables included a capacity-building seminar on regulation of cyber risk. The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago identified the need for filling regulatory gaps and desires to issue a focused guideline on cybersecurity covering governance, risk management, incident reporting, and cyber hygiene, and intends to develop a draft guideline for consultation with its regulated institutions in the first quarter of 2023. Supervisory arrangements for Information and Communication Technology/cyber risks need further improvements and resource constraints within Financial Institutions Supervision Department need to be addressed urgently. The Identity and Access Management project has been formally set up and is now in Phase 1, which is considered preparatory. The governance of the project, the high-level roadmap, and the deliverables for Phase 1 are generally in line with good practices. It is recommended to establish regular cybersecurity meetings and reporting regime at the Board level with the participation of the Head of IT Security.
Keywords:
cybersecurity governance; Cybersecurity governance assessment; cybersecurity policy; control environment; pension firm; Cyber risk; Pensions; Insurance; Payment systems; Financial sector; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Trinidad and Tobago: 2023 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
This 2023 Article IV Consultation discusses that Trinidad and Tobago’s economic activity is recovering supported by higher global energy prices and the rebound of the non-energy sector. Real GDP is estimated to have expanded by 2.5 percent in 2022. Inflation has increased, reaching 8.7 percent by end-2022, driven by imported energy and food prices, partial liberalization of domestic fuel prices in 2022, and domestic weather-related shocks. The recovery is expected to gain broad-based momentum in 2023. Inflation is projected to slow down following international prices. The balance of risks to growth is tilted to the downside, stemming from potential disruptions to domestic oil and gas production, sharper than expected global slowdown and global financial instabilities. The upside is on higher-than-expected energy production and prices. It is advised to maintain sound and consistent policies to support the current exchange rate arrangement. The central bank should seriously consider increasing its repo policy rate to contain inflationary pressures and narrow the negative interest rate differential with the US monetary policy rate.
Keywords:
IMF staff calculation; FX intervention; retail price index; financial asset; Trinidad and Tobago's authorities; policy formulation; repo policy rate; side GDP estimate; Energy pricing; Fiscal stance; External sector statistics; Global; Caribbean
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Grenada: 2022 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Grenada
International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Grenada’s economy was hit hard by the pandemic, with a decline in real output of 14 percent in 2020 from both a collapse of tourism-related activities and the suspension of in-person classes at Saint George’s University (SGU). Growth in 2021 is estimated to have partly recovered to 5.6 percent, driven by construction and agriculture. The authorities’ policy response helped mitigate the pandemic’s impact through containment measures, increased health and social spending, and an expanded public investment program (including to build resilience to natural disasters). Central government debt rose to 70 percent of GDP in 2021 (from 59 percent in 2019) and the external position has worsened. The financial sector has so far weathered the crisis well.
Keywords:
Grenadian authorities; vaccination campaign; central government debt; IIP data; Policy discussion; Credit bureaus; COVID-19; External sector statistics; Caribbean; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Trinidad and Tobago: Press Release; Financial System Stability Assessment; and Statement by the Executive Director for Trinidad and Tobago
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
The FSAP work was mostly conducted prior to the COVID-19 crisis. Given the FSAP’s focus on medium-term challenges and tail risks, its findings and recommendations for strengthening policy and institutional frameworks remain pertinent. As the growth projections were significantly revised downward since the FSAP, the quantitative risk analysis on bank solvency was complemented to include illustrative scenarios to quantify the possible implications of the COVID-19 shock on bank solvency.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; bank; FSAP work; FSAP mission; FSSA report; CBTT plan; supervisory effectiveness; regulatory power; Commercial banks; Insurance companies; Mutual funds; COVID-19; Global; Caribbean
Cover IMF Working Papers
Financial Development and Inclusion in the Caribbean
Chuan Li
and
Joyce Wong
Many Caribbean financial systems are relatively well developed for their size but benefits are concentrated in a small part of the population. In several large countries, the financial development levels are below what is warranted by that country’s own macroeconomic fundamentals. SMEs, in particular, remain severely credit constrained, and data to inform better analysis remains scarce. Using available data, this paper takes stock of the current state of financial development and inclusion in the Caribbean region and, based on a quantitative general equilibrium model, examines potential trade-offs between growth, inequality, and financial stability—all critical considerations when policies are designed. A case study for Jamaica is examined in detail.
Keywords:
WP; firm; participation cost; cost; market; interest rate; Financial Systems; Latin America; Caribbean; Financial Inclusion; Financial Development; firm employment distribution; leveraged firm; fixed cost; intermediation cost; proportion of firm; fewest firm; medium-sized firm; Financial sector development; Credit; Collateral; Income inequality
Cover Policy Papers
2017 Staff Guidance Note on the Fund's Engagement with Small Developing States
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
,
International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
,
International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
,
International Monetary Fund. Fiscal Affairs Dept.
,
International Monetary Fund. Legal Dept.
,
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
,
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
, and
International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
This guidance note highlights the unique economic characteristics and constraints facing small developing states. It provides operational guidance on Fund engagement with such countries, including on how small state characteristics might shape Fund surveillance and financial support, program design, capacity building activities, and collaboration with other institutions and donors. The note updates the previous version that was published in May 2014. It incorporates modifications resulting from Board papers and related Executive Board discussions that have taken place since the March 2013 Board papers on small states, which provided the foundations of the original guidance note. Based on these inputs, five key thematic areas (G.R.O.W.TH.) have been identified as central to the policy dialogue: • Growth and job creation. With small states experiencing relatively weak growth since the 1990s, Fund staff working on small states should ensure an explicit focus on growth in both surveillance and program-related work. • Resilience to shocks. Small states experience higher macroeconomic volatility and more frequent natural disasters. Staff should be ready to advise on how to tailor macroeconomic policies to provide greater resilience to shocks and climate change. • Overall competitiveness. Options to improve relative prices may include exchange rate adjustment (where possible) or measures supportive of internal devaluation (if not), and efforts to improve the business climate, including through regional initiatives. • Workable fiscal and debt sustainability options. With many small states having very high debt burdens, reducing debt to manageable levels requires sustained fiscal consolidation with supporting policies and structural reforms. In cases where the amount of adjustment needed to restore debt sustainability is not feasible or adequate financing is not available, debt restructuring may be needed. • Thin financial sectors. Developing deeper and more competitive, yet sound, financial sectors contributes to macroeconomic stability and enhances the effectiveness of policy interventions while strengthening competitiveness by improving business access to financial services.
Keywords:
PP; small states; balance of payments; country authorities; financial system; exchange rate; pro-growth reform; fund staff; Natural disasters; Climate change; Fiscal consolidation; Competition; Caribbean; Pacific Islands; Global; Asia and Pacific
Cover Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean
Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean

Abstract

This book provides a diagnosis of the central economic and financial challenges facing Caribbean policymakers and offers broad policy recommendations for promoting a sustained and inclusive increase in economic well-being. The analysis highlights the need for Caribbean economies to make a concerted effort to break the feedback loops between weak macroeconomic fundamentals, notably pertaining to fiscal positions and financial sector strains, and structural impediments, such as high electricity costs, limited financial deepening, violent crime, and brain drain, which have depressed private investment and growth. A recurring theme in the book is the need for greater regional coordination in finding solutions to address the Caribbean’s shared and intertwined macroeconomic and structural challenges. The analysis suggests that strengthening regional and global market integration of Caribbean economies would provide an impetus to sustained growth in incomes and jobs. Greater regional and global economic integration would also facilitate structural transformation and a shift toward new economic activities, resulting in more diversified and less vulnerable economies. A central challenge for the Caribbean is thus to come together as a region, overcome the limitations posed by size, and garner the benefits of globalization. Efforts should build on existing regional arrangements; accelerating progress in implementing these agreements would stimulate trade. Policymakers could also promote deeper integration with Latin America and the rest of the world by pursuing new trade agreements, leveraging current agreements more effectively, or deepening them to include areas beyond traditional trade issues, and developing port and transport infrastructure.

Keywords:
BOOK; cost; bank; Caribbean economy; respondent bank; firm employment distribution; tourism flow; World Bank enterprise Survey; Nonperforming loans; Tax incentives; Natural disasters; Correspondent banking; Caribbean; Global; Central America; Europe
Cover IMF Working Papers
Problem Loans in the Caribbean: Determinants, Impact and Strategies for Resolution
Ms. Kimberly Beaton
,
Mr. Thomas Dowling
,
Dmitriy Kovtun
,
Franz Loyola
,
Ms. Alla Myrvoda
,
Mr. Joel Chiedu Okwuokei
,
Ms. Inci Ötker
, and
Mr. Jarkko Turunen
The high level of nonperforming loans (NPLs) in the Caribbean has been, in large part, a legacy of the global financial crisis, but their persistence owes much to the weak economic recovery in the region, as well as to structural obstacles to their resolution. A comprehensive strategy is needed to address these impediments to sever the adverse feedback loops between weak economic activity and weak asset quality. This paper finds that NPLs are a drag on Caribbean growth and macro-financial links are strong: a deterioration in asset quality hinders bank lending and dampens economic activity, undermining, in turn, efforts to resolve problem loans. A multifaceted approach is needed, involving a combination of macro- economic policies to support growth and employment; strong supervisory frameworks to ensure macro-financial stability and create incentives for resolution; efforts to address informational gaps and deficiencies in insolvency and debt-enforcement frameworks; and development of markets for distressed loans. The institutional capacity constraints require coordination of reforms within the region and support from international organizations through capacity-building.
Keywords:
WP; NPL ratio; asset quality; NPL resolution; economic activity; Macro-financial linkages; nonperforming loans; resolution; the Caribbean; affect bank lending; Loans; Distressed assets; Credit; Collateral; Caribbean; Global