WHAT'S NEW AT  COMPETE CARIBBEAN
LAST DAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE  BLUE TECH CHALLENGE
The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility and its donors IDB, CDB, DFID and the Government of Canada, are co-sponsoring the Blue Tech Challenge, an initiative looking to support piloting and scaling of commercial models rooted in cutting-edge technologies, that contribute to the sustainable management of oceans and coastal resources (or marine ecosystems) as the basis for livelihoods, food security and economic development of the Caribbean region.

Proposals will be evaluated for their use of new technologies or solutions to foster the long-term sustainability of the ocean economy while demonstrating  commercial viability.


To learn more about the blue economy please watch:  https://youtu.be/cWoNeePdnCU 

To apply to the Blue-tech challenge click  here

COMPETE CARIBBEAN SUPPORTS CASTOR OIL PRODUCERS IN JAMAICA
A Compete Caribbean (CCPF) mission visited Jamaica with the objective of meeting with key stakeholders to elaborate a Cluster Development Plan (CDP). The CCPF team held 2 half day workshops with current and prospective farmers in Mandeville and Ocho Rios to complete and validate the CDP.
 
A  briefing meeting was held at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries to inform the Honourable Minister William J.C. Hutchinson on the current progress of project development. The Minister expressed his appreciation for CCPF support to the castor oil industry in Jamaica.

Based on results of this visit, CCPF will start the preparation of a technical assistance project to create employment opportunities and reduce poverty in rural communities of Jamaica through enhancing productivity and competitiveness of the Jamaican castor oil industry.
 
To learn more about our partner organizations please visit:



COMPETE CARIBBEAN SUPPORTS COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM IN GRENADA
A Compete Caribbean (CCPF) team held a stakeholder workshop with Grenada North East Cluster (NEC) to continue support to the agri-tourism sector.

The workshop had the objective to discuss a cluster strategy and project goals with NEC members, Department for International Development (DFID), Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA), Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF).

The project funded by the CCPF will support the implementation of the Chocolate Tour and the Beach and Basket Tour. It is expected that this new activities  will generate funds and build necessary capacity in the NEC to launch additional tours each year, with the goal of offering 8 new tours by 2020.

To learn about our partnering organizations please visit:


CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK ON COMPETE CARIBBEAN PROJECTS

Compete Caribbean is seeking a consultant to build local capacity and conduct a feasibility study for the cocoa sector in Dominica, post hurricane Maria.

To learn more about this opportunity and submit your expression of interest please click here
FEATURED RESEARCH
Publication:
Information and Communications for Development 2018 : Data-Driven Development

The Information and Communications for Development report takes an in-depth look at how information and communication technologies (ICT) are impacting economic growth in developing countries.

This new report objective is to assist developing country firms and governments to unlock the value of the data they hold for better service delivery and decision making, and to empower individuals to take more control of their personal data.
 

Publication:
Doing Business 2019: Training for Reform

Doing Business 2019: Training for Reform, presents quantitative indicators on business regulations and the protection of property rights that can be compared across 190 economies-from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe-and over time.

Doing Business measures regulations affecting 11 areas of the life of a business. Ten of these areas are included in this year's ranking on the ease of doing business: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. 
 

Publication:
Agricultural Policies in the Caribbean: A Regional Analysis

This publication summarizes the agricultural policy analyses conducted in nine Caribbean countries.  The document discusses how agricultural policies affect producers and consumers as well as how the limited funding for agricultural services, such as research and infrastructure, could limit the ability of Caribbean farmers to compete effectively in global markets.

The analyses presented are meant to contribute to the Caribbean's regional dialogue for the design of more effective agricultural policies, which will be able to strengthen the sector and improve the lives of people in the region.

NEWS FROM OUR DONORS
CDB event explores blue economy strategy to drive energy transformation in the Caribbean

The Caribbean could transform its energy sector and diversify economic activity by exploring marine renewable energy development, says Monica La Bennett, Vice-President (Operations) at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). She was speaking to over 80 stakeholders and leaders at Blue Economy Caribbean in Miami on November 6. The event was sponsored by CDB, in partnership with the Government of Canada.
Learn more



Improving the resilience of the Region's energy sector, especially when it comes to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change, must be a priority for all countries in the Caribbean. The theme of resilience was brought into focus during the Caribbean Development Bank's (CDB) presentations at the 2018 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF).


Global Alliance to Promote the Use of Blockchain in Latin America and the Caribbean

Representatives of the IDB Lab, the innovation laboratory of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, together with representatives of the world's leading technology and consulting companies, announced today the launch of LAC-Chain, a new alliance to promote the use of blockchain in Latin America and the Caribbean. The presentation of this new alliance took place at the FOROMIC 2018 conference, which is being held this year in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Canada announces additional support for Global Financing Facility

Canada continues to fight poverty both at home and abroad.  The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development, announced an additional $50 million for the Global Financing Facility (GFF) for the 2015 to 2020 period. 

The GFF is an innovative financing mechanism that is helping developing countries transform how they prioritize and invest in the health sector to benefit women, children and adolescents.