Growth and Resilience Dialogue 15/02/2018

Low Productivity & Competitiveness

Macroeconomic

Jamaica is the 70 th country in the WB Ease of Doing Business – highest BMC

Low growth average 0.4% over a decade

Large infrastructure gaps

High debt regional median 65% of GDP

Weak governance

Low commodity prices and declining reserves

Regional Challenges

Inefficient and costly transport links and high energy costs

Environmental Threats

Poor Human Development

High annual natural disaster costs on average ~2% of GDP

High poverty (43.7%) and youth unemployment (18-47%)

Low insurance payouts

Poor education outcomes , skills mismatch and brain drain

Insufficient building codes

High crime and citizen insecurity

Poor climate change adaptation tools