January 13, 2023
The Inter-American Development Bank said that Caribbean exports are up 38 percent in 2022, but this could merely be the pick-up after the pandemic lockdowns and now may expect to settle in 2023 and beyond when more developed markets begin to increase their production. Being patient and steady will be critical in this endeavour.
However, there is more to take note of. All of a sudden Jamaica is becoming a new go to spot for investment companies and financial services? Who would have thought that? The opening of Quantas Financial Group adds critical value to the Jamaican stock exchange and bolsters heir bona fides in the financial services sector. Watch out, Bahamas, Caymans and Bermuda. You have competition now.
We need to take these rays of sunshine and recharge the Caribbean spirit and move into the new world. A digitised world where people have access to finance and opportunities.
We need to continually encourage investments and wholesome investments. Not these pump and dump, shady deals, but investors with a legitimate strategy in mind and hand to deliver for the development of this region.
It takes a lot of effort to get work done on these islands. The people aren’t ready even. We are disappointed about how many Caribbean people who consider it a luxury to have a debit card? Something that is commonplace in any growing country. We are even more shocked at how many of us are locked out of the digital economy by virtue of not having the tools to accept payments online like progressive entities.
We need to get better at this.