Preliminary overview of Caribbean economies 2004-2005

The Preliminary Overview of Caribbean Economies analyses the macroeconomic performance of a selected subset of Caribbean countries (The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, the OECS member States, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago) for 2004 and examines the prospects for 2005. The report comprises two sections. The first provides a regional overview of the economic performance and also focuses on relevant current issues. The issues addressed include the macroeconomic pattern of natural disasters and the current state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (SME) integration process. The second provides a country-by-country account of the economic performance for 2004. The analysis focuses on the main trends, the fiscal and monetary regime, sectors of economic activity, prices, employment and the external sector.