Laments of the Caribbean Businessperson are Based on Facts?
Date issued
Nov 2013
Subject
Industrial Policy;
Private Sector;
Productivity;
Investment
JEL code
D21 - Firm Behavior: Theory;
D22 - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis;
D62 - Externalities;
L26 - Entrepreneurship
Country
Jamaica;
Trinidad and Tobago;
Bahamas;
Guyana;
Suriname;
Barbados
Category
Policy Briefs
In this policy brief, we review the laments of Caribbean businesspersons. We find that subjective perceptions are rooted in an objective reality. Businesspersons do not complain gratuitously. Furthermore, we find that constraints vary systematically by firm characteristics: In general, small firms and contracting firms face relatively harsher conditions. To enhance a country's economic growth, relevant policy needs to be changed toward a more pro-business stance.