Diplomatically Speaking - The Podcast

A new era in Caribbean telecommunications has been ushered in by liberalization in the late 1990s and early 2000s marking the emergence of many Caribbean countries from an era of monopoly control over the networks, broadband Internet, and cable television. Mobile phones have become more ubiquitous than toilets, and have sparked social and economic transformation, and given risen to robust diaspora communities. Here to discuss Caribbean telecommunications and beyond cel technology, is Denis O’...

The blue economy and digital technology are emerging as strong pathways for economic and sustainable growth in the Caribbean. Both hold promise to diversify the economy, create jobs, and leapfrog development in the region. The World Bank is betting on this strategy and has invested millions in novel digital projects and blue economy programs. Tahseen Sayed, Director of the Caribbean at the World Bank, is responsible for maintaining a solid partnership with the region to address it...

Nestled in the Caribbean Sea, are three islands known as the Cayman Islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. A global financial center, Grand Cayman, the largest of the three, is approximately 76 square miles, and home to about 50,000 residents. These islands pack a financial punch and international attraction that set them apart from the rest of the region. Joining me to talk about Cayman’s place in global finance and foreign investment are Charlie Kirkconnell...

At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is testing the economic resiliency of the Caribbean, many are reimagining business and investment in the region. Caribbean economies are being creative in their offerings to foreign investors and compensating for the massive losses of tourism revenues. Foreign investors, for their part, are taking a second look at the region’s financial centers, corporate infrastructure, tax-neutrality, and its political and economic stability. Dentons, t...

Among the first news about the COVID-19 pandemic involved the shipping industry. Reports about passengers stranded at sea on cruise lines, cargo and cruise ships alike not being allowed to dock out of fear of infected passengers and crew members involved liners associated with the Caribbean, put Caribbean governments on their heels from a health, economic and branding perspective. My conversation today is with Juan Carlos Croston, President of the Caribbean Shipping Association, t...

The shock of the pandemic to Caribbean economies across the board has been seismic and is occurring during a worldwide health crisis and global geopolitical shifts between east and west which have huge implications for the Caribbean. With the disruption of tourism which accounts for up to 90 percent of many Caribbean economies, and challenges to meet international debt obligations, Caribbean states are struggling to keep their economies afloat. Here to help us understand what is n...

When one thinks of the Caribbean, typically he/she would think of a region of African descendants, and of course, European settlers who colonized the region in the late 15th century. The history of the Jews in Latin America began with Conversos who joined the Spanish and Portuguese expeditions to the continents. By the late 16th century, fully functioning Jewish communities were founded in the Portuguese colony of Brazil, the Dutch Suriname, and Curacao; Spanish Santo Domingo, and the English...

The convergence of cultures and its influence on how we relate to one another have always been fascinating to me.  For some time now, I’ve been on a personal journey to deepen my understanding of my own Jamaican culture, for example, the diverse...

In a world where the international market for cultural goods is larger than the markets for steel, automobiles, or textiles, the Caribbean is developing market driven frameworks to exploit the region’s cultural and creative industries in recognition of the vital role they play in economic growth, providing a competitive advantage, and supporting diplomacy. Reggae, a musical genre birthed in the 60s in Jamaica, is credited for putting the country, if not the region, on the map by the gen...

Though the Caribbean is well-known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant music, it has an emerging capital market that should not be ignored. As many as twelve national stock exchanges can be found in the region. In addition, the Caribbean is also home to the first regional securities exchange to be formed in the Western Hemisphere. The Jamaica Stock Exchange, (JSE) was cited by Bloomberg in 2015 and 2018 as the best performing stock exchange in the world. We talk with...