Special Reports Archive - Marla Dukharan

Economics 102: There is no such thing as a free lunch

June 21, 2021

Evaluates the facts behind borrowing from the IMF, the major risks to T&T’s debt sustainability and external accounts based on updates presented by the Minister of Finance on June 9, 2021 as part of the mid-year supplementary budget for Fiscal Year 2020/2021.

The Bahamas Budget, Fiscal Year 2021/22: Unprecedented Measures for Unprecedented Circumstances

June 7, 2021

Recent events in the Bahamas are historic on many levels. Hurricane Dorian and the pandemic hitting within six months, is the absolute worst crisis the Bahamas has ever experienced, prompting the World Bank to extend financing on an exceptional basis. This report analyses the recent Fiscal Budget, against this backdrop.

EU Blacklisting of Vanuatu: History, Analysis, and Socio-Economic Implications

May 31, 2021

“History, Analysis and Socio-Economic Implications of the EU’s Blacklisting of Vanuatu” takes an in-depth look at the EU’s tax and AML/CFT Blacklisting policy, how it is is being unilaterally and disproportionately applied to this former European colony, why the EU’s actions are counterproductive, brutal and discriminatory in nature, and the socio-economic damage the EU is […]

From Blackbirding to Blacklisting: The European Union’s Ongoing Subjugation of Vanuatu

May 27, 2021

“There are two ways one can help a man – up or down” – Caribbean proverb. Which way is the European Union (EU) choosing with respect to its unilateral application of its own tax and anti–money laundering policies, on acutely vulnerable, former European colonies? This report analyses the EU’s Blacklisting of Vanuatu and explores the […]

Local Capital Markets in the Caribbean: Cayman Islands Challenges and Opportunities

May 20, 2021

Capital Markets in the Cayman Islands Opportunities, challenges and potential solutions that can be implemented to support capital market development in the Cayman Islands.

The Bahamas Economy: Where Things Stand and Where We Are Likely Heading

December 21, 2020

Structural weaknesses and long-standing fiscal and external vulnerabilities already challenging The Bahamas were compounded over the last 15 months by the worst natural disaster and economic shock in its history…

Trinidad & Tobago: Balance of Payments Risk

August 25, 2020

This report takes a look at why T&T could be heading to default and a balance of payments crisis by end-2022. With a wide and growing fiscal deficit, higher debt, grossly overvalued TTD and other harmful FX policies…

COVID-19 Caribbean Economic Impact Report

March 30, 2020

Read our most recent scenarios given the severe interruptions to tourism from COVID-19 and the lower oil price environment for the Caribbean’s commodity dependent countries. This report reviews: Caribbean implications of COVID-19, fiscal outlooks and risks, remittance, travel and tourism outlook, outlooks for commodity-dependent countries, policy/response recommendations and risks to monitor.

Getting it Right in T&T: Fiscal Responsibility

October 3, 2019

The persistently weak economy in Trinidad and Tobago is a product of fiscal and broader macroeconomic mismanagement under successive governments. Marla takes a look at how a fiscal responsibility framework can help put the country’s economy on a sustainable path.

Why it is harder to get USD in Trinidad & Tobago than anywhere else in the Caribbean

September 5, 2019

Marla answers questions on the underlying causes of the foreign currency crunch in Trinidad and Tobago, and what must be done to remedy the situation.

SPECIAL REPORTS