By Lilia Burunciuc

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. June 24, 2025: Earlier this year, I met a young graduate who had spent the entire summer searching for a job that matched her education – without success. As the weeks passed and her options narrowed, she applied to a local meat shop, hoping to find some form of employment. But even there, she was turned away – she was “overqualified” to pack chicken legs.

Her story is not unique. Across several Caribbean countries, young people are discovering that academic qualifications, while essential, do not always open the doors they expected. Businesses, in turn, report difficulty filling positions, not because of a lack of applicants, but because many job seekers simply don’t have the technical skills or experience required. This disconnect – between the supply and demand of skills – is one of the most persistent growth constraints in the region.

In Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, for example, firms consistently rank the shortage of a skilled workforce among the top two obstacles to doing business. The impact of this shortage is striking: in 2020, 50% of all job vacancies in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines requiring skilled workers remained unfilled due to a lack of qualified applicants. In neighboring Saint Lucia, 40% of employers reported that the skills and education of workers hindered the country’s competitiveness. Meanwhile, the problem extends beyond businesses – 61% of youth report difficulties finding jobs or earning a living, often because their academic qualifications do not align with the demands of the labor market.

The ramifications are wide-ranging. Youth unemployment in Grenada and Saint Lucia exceeds 40%, among the highest in the Eastern Caribbean. For those who do find work, many are employed in roles for which they are underqualified—57% of workers in Saint Lucia lacked the necessary qualifications for their roles in 2019 – or that fail to fully utilize their education and skills. While such employment may offer income, it can also lead to mismatches between workers’ capabilities and job demands, leaving many young people frustrated and limiting the potential of businesses to operate at full productivity.

These challenges reflect deeper structural issues, including inadequate quality of basic education and insufficient collaboration between post-secondary institutions and the private sector. Post-secondary institutions often operate in isolation from industry, leaving students with academic credentials but without the practical or technical skills employers need.

Compounding the issue, the Eastern Caribbean spends around14% of their education budget on post-secondary education, compared to 25% in Latin America and 32% in OECD countries. With outdated laboratories, limited digital infrastructure, and low capacity to support inclusive education, many institutions are ill-equipped to prepare students for the demands of today’s labor market.  These challenges are further amplified by the emigration of highly skilled workers, who often leave the region in search of better opportunities abroad. This loss of talent reduces the availability of skilled professionals at home and weakens the return on public investments in education.

The skills shortage not only impacts individual job seekers; it undermines the broader economy by stifling productivity, reducing business competitiveness, and limiting opportunities for innovation.

Partly due to missing skills, Eastern Caribbean firms are not adequately investing in and engaging in innovative activities. Only 2.7% of firms in Grenada and 3.2% of firms in Saint Lucia have human resources dedicated to research and development.

Research and development are vital for fostering creativity, developing new technologies, and improving business processes. For the Caribbean, investment in research and development is particularly important to address challenges in key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy, unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth.

However, many firms perceive the cost of innovation as too high relative to the market size. In small economies, businesses often believe that investing in innovation won’t yield sufficient returns due to limited local demand or the high costs of implementing new technologies. This perception discourages companies from pursuing innovation, limiting their growth and competitiveness.

There is no single solution to these challenges – but there are clear areas for action. First, post-secondary education should receive more attention to ensure institutions are equipped to deliver relevant, high-quality training. Modernizing curricula to include both technical and transversal skills—such as problem-solving, adaptability, and digital literacy—is essential for preparing youth for the demands of today’s economy.

Equally important is fostering closer collaboration between educational institutions and the private sector. While some institutions already maintain partnerships—particularly in tourism—there is a need to expand these efforts across a wider range of sectors. Deeper and more diversified collaboration can help ensure that training programs align with evolving industry needs, encourage workplace-based learning opportunities, and support research and development initiatives that foster innovation and job creation.

Expanding regional frameworks, such as shared learning standards and qualification recognition, would allow for greater mobility of talent and ensure consistent skill development across the region.  For small island states, such collaboration also offers a practical advantage: the ability to pool resources and benefit from cost-sharing opportunities, making education and training systems more efficient and sustainable.  Finally, addressing barriers to innovation by creating incentives for businesses to invest in research and development and improving digital infrastructure will help unlock the region’s economic potential.

The World Bank is working with Caribbean countries to support these goals. The OECS Skills and Innovation Project is one example. With $36 million in financing, the project focuses on enhancing youth skills, fostering regional collaboration, and strengthening a culture of innovation. By supporting 40,000 young people with targeted training, establishing common learning standards, and encouraging partnerships between businesses and post-secondary institutions, the initiative aims to build an ecosystem where innovation and skills development drive growth.

Beyond the Eastern Caribbean, countries like Guyana and Belize are also stepping up efforts to close the skills gap. In Guyana, the World Bank is supporting the government’s investment in a broad set of skills needed to power its rapidly expanding economy—with a strong emphasis on technical and vocational education and training. Meanwhile in Belize, where women’s labor force participation remains significantly lower than men’s, a forthcoming project will focus on early childhood development and female empowerment—with a dedicated component aimed at expanding women’s employment opportunities through skills development and support for businesses in the care and education sectors.

The Caribbean holds immense potential. Tapping into that potential will require a coordinated effort, long-term investment, and a shared commitment to aligning skills with opportunity. Encouragingly, that work is already underway.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Lilia Burunciuc is the World Bank Director for Caribbean countries. Ms. Burunciuc, a Moldovan national, is
responsible for maintaining the partnership with the countries to address their development challenges. She has extensive experience on leading policy dialogue with governments on various aspects of development.

By News Americas Business Desk

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. June 23, 2025: Despite its postcard-perfect beaches, booming tourism market, high-priced real estate, and growing demand for housing and infrastructure, the Caribbean continues to face an uphill battle when it comes to attracting U.S. lenders and investors.

Multi-million dollar deals can languish for months or be rejected altogether. And even when financing is secured, borrowers often face steep upfront costs and premium interest rates.

Ben Mizes, Co-Founder of Clever Real Estate and a licensed real estate agent who has closely studied investor behavior in emerging markets, told News Americas that while, “the Caribbean has a lot going for it — beautiful scenery, more tourists coming in, and a growing need for better housing and infrastructure,” many investors still view the region as a risky place to put their money.

“Problems like unclear land ownership, slow permitting processes, and unpredictable politics make things tricky and delay projects,” Mizes explained. “Investors usually prefer places with clear legal systems and reliable data, which is where the Caribbean falls short.”

“To make progress, we need to lower the risks at a policy level, show real returns, and work with investors who get how these markets operate,” he added. “That’s where real growth can start.”

His views are echoed by other investors working across the region. Luke Babich, Founder and CEO of List with Clever, has been leading renewable energy projects in emerging markets, including the Eastern Caribbean.

“From my experience, the biggest challenges are unclear land titling, slow permitting processes, and limited creditworthy offtakers,” Babich told NAN. “Political risk and currency volatility also deter institutional investors.”

But those aren’t the only barriers keeping lenders at bay.

Financial experts point to several underlying challenges that compound investor hesitation. Small market size, fragmented legal frameworks across island nations, and currency volatility present major hurdles. High disaster risk, limited insurance coverage, and the absence of robust credit reporting systems further undermine lender confidence.

Many Caribbean projects also lack the investor-ready packaging – complete feasibility studies, environmental clearances, and professional financial modeling—that global lenders expect, says Invest Caribbean.

“It’s rarely one structure fits all across the islands,” Babich explained. “High compliance and due diligence costs often make even small deals unappealing to institutional lenders.”

Still, both Mizes and Babich agree that positive change is on the horizon.

“When governments provide guarantees or partner with DFIs, deals become more viable,” Babich said.

Mizes points to progress in countries working to modernize land registries, speed up development approvals, and create clearer benefits for investors. “Some countries are moving towards better land records, faster development approvals, and clearer benefits for investors, which is starting to draw in some serious money,” he noted.

Babich cites a recent success story as proof of that momentum. “We closed the deal by leveraging blended finance and strong local legal support. With the right partnerships and risk mitigation, viable projects can get across the line,” he said, referencing a $25 million solar project in St. Lucia.

For Mizes, the key to unlocking the region’s investment potential lies in boosting investor confidence through transparency, reliable enforcement, and tangible returns.

“The Caribbean has all the ingredients for growth — but to unlock serious capital, we need to reduce risks at the policy level, streamline project development, and work with investors who truly understand the region,” Mizes emphasized. “That’s when real growth will begin.”

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. June 16, 2025: In today’s rapidly globalizing world, workplaces are becoming increasingly diverse, integrating individuals from varied cultures, languages, backgrounds, and experiences. As organizations recognize the immense value of inclusivity and diversity, they also face the challenge of ensuring that every stakeholder – be it an employee, visitor, or contractor—feels welcomed, respected, and equally valued. Visitor and contractor management systems, often seen merely as administrative tools designed for security and logistics, hold surprising potential to act as cultural ambassadors. By providing equitable access, multilingual support, and culturally sensitive interactions, these digital platforms not only streamline processes but also significantly enhance diversity and inclusion within workplaces.

Multilingual and Multicultural Accessibility: Catering Seamlessly to Diverse Visitor Bases

One of the most immediate and impactful ways in which visitor and contractor management systems can foster inclusivity is through multilingual capabilities. Traditionally, language barriers at entry points or registration desks have created moments of confusion, awkwardness, or even inadvertent exclusion. Modern digital management platforms effectively eliminate such obstacles by offering intuitive multilingual interfaces, allowing visitors and contractors from diverse linguistic backgrounds to seamlessly navigate entry processes in their preferred languages.

Case Studies: Organizations Leveraging Digital Solutions to Promote Diversity

Several forward-thinking organizations worldwide have successfully demonstrated how strategically implementing visitor and contractor management systems directly enhances diversity and inclusion:

A logistics and trade organization working across Europe and Asia implemented digital contractor management with embedded cross-cultural communication guides. Contractors praised the clarity and respectfulness of the system, reporting increased job satisfaction and better compliance with safety and procedural guidelines.

A multinational technology firm faced challenges managing global teams of contractors and visitors from dozens of countries. They adopted a visitor and contractor management system incorporating multilingual support, cultural competency training prompts, and interactive, localized onboarding modules. The results were striking—visitor satisfaction surveys showed a 40% increase in perceived inclusivity and reduced administrative miscommunications by over 60%.
 

A healthcare provider implemented a culturally inclusive digital management platform that enabled multilingual registration, culturally sensitive wayfinding, and accessible check-in experiences for people of diverse backgrounds. Post-implementation, employee surveys indicated significantly improved perceptions of inclusivity, while visitor complaints about confusion or disrespect due to cultural misunderstandings dropped substantially.
 

News Americas, New York, NY, June 4, 2025: Guyana’s growing prominence on the global investment stage was further underscored this week as Rise Guyana announced the final close of its inaugural private investment fund at USD $29 million – marking the country’s first institutional real estate and infrastructure fund.

Backed by investors across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, South America, and the Middle East, the fund aims to leverage Guyana’s rapid economic growth and its transformation into the world’s fastest-growing nation, fueled largely by oil discoveries in the Stabroek Block.

“This fund reflects our confidence in Guyana’s transformation and our commitment to building long-term value with local roots and global vision,” said Kristine Thompson, co-founder and managing partner of Rise Guyana.

Guyana’s Stabroek oilfield, which holds an estimated 11 billion barrels of reserves, has propelled the country to the center of global energy discussions. According to Wood Mackenzie, this vast reserve could yield over $190 billion for the Guyanese government in the next 15 years, while generating $182 billion in profits for ExxonMobil and its partners. The high returns, coupled with a low breakeven cost of production under $30 per barrel, make the field one of the most lucrative oil projects worldwide.

Capitalizing on this momentum, Rise Guyana is rolling out a series of transformational infrastructure projects including:

A dual-branded Marriott City Express and City Suites hotel near Ogle Airport and Exxon HQ.

Modular housing manufacturing for scalable, cost-effective construction.

A private aviation hub at Ogle and Timehri airports.

Multi-phase residential developments in fast-developing corridors.

A portfolio of completed multi-family developments.

The fund targets a 30% net internal rate of return, utilizing a barbell strategy to balance stable yield with growth opportunities.

“This is more than a real estate fund – it’s a platform for national transformation,” added Thompson. “We’re combining frontier returns with institutional governance to help shape the physical, economic and social future of Guyana. This is the first of many funds to come.”

As Guyana continues to redefine its economic landscape, Rise Guyana is positioning itself as a key player in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for the country and its citizens.

News Americas, New York, NY, Tuesday, June 3, 2025:In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, global technology leader Apple Inc. has acquired and retired 100,000 carbon credits from Guyana, marking its inaugural engagement with jurisdictional carbon credits under the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions, (ART) framework.

Apple Inc. purchases and retires 100,000 carbon credits from Guyana, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and supporting the nation’s forest conservation initiatives.

The credits, priced at US$15 each, amount to a total investment of approximately GYD$313 million. Senior Director for Climate and REDD+ at Guyana’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr. Pradeepa Bholanauth, confirmed the transaction, highlighting its alignment with Apple’s commitment to offsetting its corporate emissions.

These 2019-vintage credits, representing emission reductions from 2016 to 2020, are part of Guyana’s comprehensive forest conservation efforts encompassing 18 million hectares—about 85% of the country’s landmass. Apple’s 2025 Environmental Progress Report emphasizes that this initiative supports the nation’s historically low deforestation rate while funding low-carbon development priorities.

Apple’s engagement with Guyana’s carbon credits follows a precedent set by Hess Corporation, which purchased US$750 million worth of credits in December 2022. This move underscores the growing corporate interest in high-quality, jurisdictional carbon credits as a means to achieve sustainability goals.

Since achieving carbon neutrality in April 2020, Apple has consistently invested in carbon credits from various countries, including Colombia and Kenya. The company’s latest acquisition from Guyana signifies a strategic shift towards large-scale, jurisdictional approaches to carbon offsetting.

Guyana’s participation in the voluntary carbon market has yielded substantial economic benefits, with earnings of US$237.5 million from carbon credit sales between 2022 and 2024. Projections indicate additional revenues of US$250 million for the 2021–2025 period and US$312 million for 2025–2030, as credits are sold at increasing rates of US$20 and US$25 per tonne, respectively.

This collaboration between Apple and Guyana exemplifies a mutually beneficial partnership, advancing global climate objectives while supporting sustainable development in forest-rich nations.