Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Regional economies remain fragile and uneven — IMF
VARADERO, Cuba — A hotel pool in the beach resort of Varadero
Business
September 2, 2015

Regional economies remain fragile and uneven — IMF

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — The deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Min Zhu, says while economic growth in the region continues to strengthen, it remains fragile and uneven.

In an address at the opening of the 2015 High Level Caribbean Forum yesterday, the IMF official said the region faces, among other things, possible consequences from the impending rise in US interest rates, the slowdown in China and South America, the opening of Cuba to US tourists, and other challenges.

“Although the recovery in the United States looks robust, growth prospects have deteriorated in many parts of the globe compared to a year ago.”

He said in several emerging markets, such as Latin America, Canada and Europe, the economy still looks fragile.

He added that the Caribbean Forum is one of the key platforms for the region.

“For expanding our mutual understanding and for collaborating… It is good, then, that the 2015 Caribbean Forum keeps the focus on growth, this year in particular on financing growth. This is exactly in line with efforts by the international community right now to secure sustainable development. Indeed, our quest for growth must be cast firmly in the context of sustainability, growth that is durable and equitable, and that safeguards the environment.”

Concerning the role of the international lending agency, Min said the aim is to boost economic resilience in members as they seek to growth objectives.

He said the IMF will “deepen our policy advice on the macro aspects of key topics related to achieving and financing the SDGs infrastructure provision, inclusion, and vulnerabilities facing small states.”

The lending agency will also enhance technical assistance to strengthen domestic revenue potential; build capacity and institutions and address the special needs of fragile and conflict-affected states.

Regarding Small States, he said the Fund has continued analytical and policy work.

“As you know, the Executive Board met to discuss the second policy paper in February, and work is ongoing to integrate the substantive findings related to fiscal policy frameworks and competitiveness into our programme and policy work.”

Some of the issues to be discussed at this annual high-level forum with the focus on Financing Growth , include the region’s energy sector, the role of regulatory reforms in the sector and how to boost foreign investment in the sector.

In focusing on the financial sector, delegates will consider ways to improve access to credit and recent developments with correspondent banking relationships and implications from the global regulatory environment for the region.

According to Min, the areas to be discussed are critical issues in the region “given the importance of the financial sector, both domestic and international, in many Caribbean countries, as well as the significant efforts underway, and progress achieved recently, to restore financial soundness and sustainability in some parts of the Caribbean.”

The Caribbean Forum, now in its fourth year, is being held for the first time in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The Forum brings together prime ministers, finance ministers, central bank governors, and other high-ranking officials as well as senior officials from the IMF, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank and donors.

It is being hosted by the Government of St Kitts and Nevis and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank.

 

BASSETERRE, St Kitts — The Caribbean Forum is taking place in Basseterre, capital of St Kitts.
MIN… theopening upof Cuba tothe US isone ofseveralchallengesto theCaribbean

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Ebola-hit DR Congo gets 70,000 doses of Ervebo vaccine
International News, Latest News
Ebola-hit DR Congo gets 70,000 doses of Ervebo vaccine
August 20, 2026
GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP)—The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday that the Ebola-hit Democratic Republic of Congo would receive 70,000 doses...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Caribbean MSMEs to benefit from new CDB-supported digital transformation initiative
International News, Latest News, Regional
Caribbean MSMEs to benefit from new CDB-supported digital transformation initiative
August 20, 2026
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Small Business Association of Barbados have launched a regional initiative d...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
After days adrift, Cuban migrants rescued by Mexico navy
International News, Latest News, Regional
After days adrift, Cuban migrants rescued by Mexico navy
August 20, 2026
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP)—The Mexican navy told AFP Thursday it had rescued a group of Cuban migrants, including several minors, who went missing at sea last...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Forex: $159.55 to one US dollar
Latest News, News
Forex: $159.55 to one US dollar
August 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The United States (US) dollar on Thursday, August 20, ended trading at $159.55, up by 14 cents, according to Bank of Jamaica’s daily...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Ronaldinho returns in search of ‘beautiful’ 300th goal
International News, Latest News
Ronaldinho returns in search of ‘beautiful’ 300th goal
August 20, 2026
RAVENNA, Italy (AFP)—Former Brazil star Ronaldinho, who retired from the game in 2015, said on Thursday that he was making a comeback 11 years later w...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Maradona trial on hold amid suspected father-son kidney test mix-up
International News, Latest News
Maradona trial on hold amid suspected father-son kidney test mix-up
August 20, 2026
SAN ISIDRO, Argentina (AFP)—The latest trial over the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona was suspended Thursday following claims that k...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica, US sign new deal to strengthen military cooperation
Latest News, News
Jamaica, US sign new deal to strengthen military cooperation
August 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica and the United States have signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), aimed at strengthening military and security cooperat...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Schools show mixed readiness for September reopening
Latest News, News
Schools show mixed readiness for September reopening
August 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Education is warning that some schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa may not be ready for face-to-face classes when...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct