2023’s First Caribbean Economic Forum to Examine the Multiple Crises Impacting the Region

The Central Bank of Barbados’ Caribbean Economic Forum returns for its first edition of 2023 on Wednesday, March 22 at 8:00 p.m. with a discussion on “Managing Caribbean Economies in an Era of Many Crises.” The show will be broadcast live on CBC TV8 and livestreamed on the Bank’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

“A single crisis can be difficult for governments to manage. Right now, we are living in a time where our leaders are being confronted by multiple crises, and this is creating unprecedented challenges for leaders and our people,” said Novaline Brewster, Chief of Corporate Communications at the Central Bank.

“While there have been conversations about several of the issues we face, including the increase in prices, debt levels, and the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war, there hasn’t been a discussion focused on the combined effects of these and what can be done to mitigate them. That is what we will explore in this first edition for the year.”

Brewster revealed that the guests for the forum will be new Central Bank Governor Dr. Kevin Greenidge, who was also previously a special economic advisor to the Barbados Government; Gervase Warner, Chairman of the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation; and Geneva Oliverie, Development Specialist with the Caribbean Policy Development Centre.

“We’ve assembled a panel that has both the technical knowledge and the experience to help us understand the nature and magnitude of the challenges we face and that can also suggest ways we can mitigate them. I encourage everyone to tune in to the discussion because these issues, while largely global in origin, have regional, national, and even personal implications for us.”

The Caribbean Economic Forum is part of the Central Bank of Barbados’ public education and outreach efforts. Past discussions have focused on the ageing population crisis in the Caribbean, digital payments, and making the regional private sector more globally competitive.