Economy

Despite challenges, including depressed international energy prices, as well as rising debt and fiscal imbalances, the recession in Trinidad and Tobago is likely to bottom out in 2017. The IMF forecasts the economy will grow by 0.3% in 2017 and 3.4% in 2018. The recovery is expected to come via a small rise in energy prices, the inauguration of the Juniper gas field in 2017 and an expected rise in public sector construction activity, particularly in the affordable housing sector. Achieving that modest growth rate would depend on the government being proactive in pushing forward with public works and house building. T

This chapter contains interviews with Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry; Augusto Arosemena Moreno, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Panama; and Terrence Farrell, Chairman, Economic Development Advisory Board. It also contains a viewpoint from Marla Dukharan, Group Economist, Royal Bank of Canada (Caribbean).