The Caribbean’s climate reckoning: Dr. James Fletcher onresilience, loss & global accountability.

In this episode of Caribbean Business Review, JosephCox sits down with Dr. James Fletcher, former Minister forSustainable Development of Saint Lucia and one of the Caribbean’s leading climate advocates, to examine the region’s fight to survive amid escalating climate impacts.

From rising seas and intensifying heat to the global debateover loss and damage, Dr. Fletcher explores how Caribbean nations can hold the line — pushing for global accountability while building domestic resilience and financing adaptation.

This candid conversation dissects both the politics and practicalities of climate action, as small island states navigateshrinking fiscal space, mounting disasters, and an international system that too often delivers promises without performance.

Key discussion points:
▪️ Why climate change is the greatest threat to Caribbean development
▪️ Whether major emitters will ever accept liability for loss and damage
▪️ How the region can lead in adaptation and resilience financing
▪️ The innovation and unity needed to reduce dependence on external aid

💡 Plus in this week’sCBR Briefing: Wage Caps and Fiscal Balance
Joseph Cox unpacks why Jamaica’s Independent Fiscal Commission warns thatunchecked wage growth could crowd out investment and strain fiscal sustainability.

💡 Caribbean BusinessReview brings expert voices and data-driven insight to the region’s biggest challenges — from fiscal policy to energy, infrastructure, and sustainability.

🎧 Listen weekly for data-driven insight into Caribbean economics, policy, and strategy.
🎥Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDI8kpqUsnE

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📘 Caribbean FinancialDispatch – October 12 Edition: https://online.pubhtml5.com/dfive/nzqs/

#CaribbeanBusiness #CaribbeanEconomy #ClimateChange#ClimateResilience #LossAndDamage #JamesFletcher #SIDS #Caribbean

How can private investment transform the Caribbean economy? IFC’s Michele Ottey joins Joseph Cox to explore infrastructure, MSMEs, climate finance, and the policy reforms needed to drive regional resilience.

In this episode of Caribbean Business Review, Joseph Cox speaks with Michele Ottey, Principal Investment Officer and Caribbean Hub Lead at the International Finance Corporation (IFC, World Bank Group), on how mobilizing private investment can unlock sustainable growth across the region.

The conversation delves into public-private partnerships (PPPs), financing bottlenecks for MSMEs and women-led enterprises, and the innovative solutions needed to strengthen competitiveness and climate resilience. Michele also reflects on how IFC’s global experience in green finance, digital transformation, and inclusion can be adapted to Caribbean realities.

Key Takeaways

• Private investment is essential to regional infrastructure and growth

• Jamaica’s PPP framework offers a model for replication

• Barbados leads in renewable-energy financing

• MSMEs and women-led firms are critical growth drivers

• Internet and energy costs must fall for true competitiveness

• Policy reform and innovation will define future resilience

💬 CBR Briefing: Is the Caribbean facing compliance — or regulatory overkill?

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🔗 Connect with us: https://josephcox.org | 📧 [email protected]

#CaribbeanBusiness #CaribbeanEconomy #CBRBriefing #IFC #MicheleOttey #PrivateInvestment #Infrastructure #PPPs #MSMEs #ClimateResilience #CaribbeanBusinessReview

Insurance consultant Orville Johnson joins Joseph Coxto examine why over 80% of Caribbean homes remain uninsured, how natural disasters and affordability drive the gap, and why consumer trust lags behind the banking sector. Plus, the CBR Briefing explores Jamaica’s stake in Caribbean Airlines — should Kingston finally exit the sky?

Full Description:
In this episode of Caribbean Business Review, Joseph Cox speaks with Orville Johnson, former Executive Director of the Insurance Association of Jamaica, on the structural weaknesses of the Caribbean insurance sector. From lowhousehold coverage to fragmented regulation, Johnson explains why insurance remains an “unsought good” across the region, the impact of rising premiums,and the urgent need for reform.

Topics covered include:

• Why more than 80% of homes remain uninsured
• How natural disasters are reshaping coverage and pricing
• Consumer trust challenges in the insurance sector
• Jamaica’s adoption of the Twin Peaks model forstronger oversight
• Regional paths toward standardization and resilience

This week’s CBR Briefing also looks at Jamaica’sstake in Caribbean Airlines — with record visitor arrivals, is it time forthe country to finally exit CAL?

🎙️ Subscribe to CaribbeanBusiness Review for weekly insights on Caribbean economics, business, and strategy.

🔗 Connect with us:https://josephcox.org | [email protected]

Urban planner Heather Pinnock joins Joseph Cox to discuss strategic land management, balanced building codes, and unlocking value in Caribbean development. Plus, the CBR Briefing explores Jamaica’s move to the Twin Peaks model, splitting financial oversight between stability and market conduct.

Full Description:
In this episode of Caribbean Business Review, Joseph Cox speaks with Heather Pinnock, urban planner and development strategist, on the future of strategic land management in the Caribbean. The discussion explores how better planning, balanced building codes, and genuine community engagement can unlock value, strengthen resilience, and reshape how we approach development across the region. Heather also shares insights on real estate investment trusts (REITs), state land optimization, and lessons from global best practice that can be adapted to the Caribbean context.

This episode also features the CBR Briefing, where we examine Jamaica’s proposed shift to the Twin Peaks regulatory model — dividing financial oversight between the Bank of Jamaica (prudential stability) and a new Financial Services Conduct Authority (market conduct). Could Twin Peaks bring holistic financial supervision to the region, or will coordination challenges limit its effectiveness?

🎙️ Subscribe to Caribbean Business Review for more expert interviews, briefings, and analysis on Caribbean economics, business, and strategy.

🔗 Connect with us: https://josephcox.org/caribbeanbusinessreview | [email protected]

In this episode of Caribbean Business Review, Joseph Cox speaks with Dr. Armstrong Alexis, Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, about the future of regional integration in the Caribbean.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Political fragmentation and the challenge of execution

• Why free movement is essential for integration

• Haiti’s role in regional stability

• Climate change as an existential threat — and the limits of COP

• Opportunities for stronger Caribbean–Africa ties

🔔 Plus, in this week’s CBR Briefing: Amazon in the Caribbean: Disruption Ahead? How the new Amazon hub in the Dominican Republic could reshape regional e-commerce — creating opportunities for MSMEs but new risks for freight forwarders.

🎧 Listen weekly for insights into Caribbean economics, business, and strategy.
📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cbr20251
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#CaribbeanBusiness #CARICOM #CaribbeanEconomy #RegionalIntegration #Ecommerce

Season 2 opens with a deep dive into truth, misinformation, and the future of Caribbean tourism.

Caribbean Business Review returns for Season 2! 🚀

In this premiere episode, host Joseph Cox explores two big themes shaping the region’s future:

🔹 The Information Conundrum — A CBR Briefing on truth, misinformation, and disinformation in the Caribbean, and why reliable data matters now more than ever for democracy, investment, and growth.

🔹 Rethinking Tourism — A feature conversation with Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean, on how the region can move beyond cruise arrivals, strengthen local linkages, and build a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive tourism sector.

From elections to economics, and from tourism to truth, Season 2 sets the stage for sharper conversations on Caribbean business, strategy, and innovation.

👉 Subscribe and share to stay connected with new episodes every week.

Follow us:
🌐 Website: https://www.josephcox.org/caribbeanbusinessreview
📩 Contact: [email protected]

#CaribbeanBusiness #Tourism #WorldBank #Misinformation #CBRSeason2

Why Caribbean growth isn’t creating jobs — plus Dr. Joel Allen on strategy, leadership & resilience.In this episode of Caribbean Business Review, Joseph Cox sits down with Dr. Joel Allen, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Growth Perspectives Ltd., to unpack the realities of building and executing business strategy in the Caribbean.

They explore:

• How COVID-19 reshaped business mindsets across the region

• Why leadership is the critical driver of change

• The importance of engaging employees in strategy development

• Why execution — not planning — is often the biggest challenge

• How businesses can differentiate themselves in competitive markets

• The need for ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure long-term success

CBR Briefing – Caribbean Youth & Jobs: Why Growth Isn’t Creating Opportunity
In this commentary, Joseph Cox examines the paradox of regional growth without opportunity. Despite positive GDP numbers, too many young people remain locked out of meaningful employment. The Briefing explores:

• Why growth has failed to create jobs

• The mismatch between youth skills and labor market needs

• Structural barriers that keep young people excluded from opportunity

• What policymakers and business leaders must do to ensure growth translates into inclusion

Market Watch
The latest updates on Caribbean economic, financial, and corporate developments shaping regional markets.

Global Pulse
A snapshot of global trade, finance, and policy shifts — from tariffs and central bank decisions to international growth trends — and how they ripple into the Caribbean.

🎧 Caribbean Business Review — Insightful talk on Caribbean economics, business & strategy.

Why are intra-regional airfares in the Caribbean so expensive? In this CBR Special Report, we uncover the hidden drivers of ticket prices and explore what it will take to make regional travel more affordable. Plus, this week’s CBR Briefing looks at the new threat facing the Caribbean BPO sector.In this CBR Special Report, we dive into one of the mostpressing issues facing Caribbean travel and integration: the high cost of flying between islands.

For years, travelers have blamed taxes — but that’s onlypart of the story. This episode breaks down:

The hidden structural barriers behind Caribbean ticket prices

How weak connectivity impacts tourism, trade and regional integration

Why aviation is a national and regional growth engine - and what's holding it back

Practical fixes and policy reforms that could finally reduce fares and unlock Caribbean mobility

📌 Plus in this week’s CBR Briefing: The New Threat to the Caribbean BPO Sector. We explore how new U.S. policy measures are reshaping one of the region’s fastest-growingindustries.

🔗 Caribbean BusinessReview brings you insightful talk on Caribbean economics, business & strategy — with expert commentary, regional analysis, and in-depth features.

🎧 Subscribe now for weekly episodes on the forces shaping the Caribbean economy.

#CaribbeanBusinessReview #AirTravel #CaribbeanEconomy #BPO

Joseph Cox speaks with Nievia Ramsundar, outgoing head of the CARICOM Competition Commission, on monopolies, legislative gaps, and preparing the Caribbean for fairer markets.

Also in this episode: the CBR Briefing on tourism jobs, plus Market Watch and Global Pulse with top regional and global business headlines.

In this episode of Caribbean Business Review, Joseph Coxdiscusses the evolving dynamics of Caribbean integration, focusing on trade, tariffs, and labor movement. Special guest Dr. Patrick Antoine, CEO of the CARICOM Private Sector Organization, provides insights into the impact of recent tariff changes on the region's economy and the urgent need for reforms in labor mobility within CARICOM. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by Caribbean nations in adapting to new economic realities and the importance of fostering regional cooperation.

✅ Why the original economic logic still holds
✅ How reciprocal tariffs are reshaping trade practices
✅ The missed potential of local production and import displacement
✅The private sector’s push for full labor mobility
✅What bold policy action is needed—now

🔊 “It’s not just an economic thing—it’s about sovereignty, strategy, and survival.” — Dr. Patrick Antoine

Also on the CBR Briefing: The New Immigration Order:Cayman’s Bold Bet on Jobs, Identity, and Labour Sovereignty

The programme is rounded out with the Market Watch andGlobal Pulse segments which cover both Regional and International Business News respectively