The Caribbean - US Department of State

The Caribbean

Businesses Show Growing Interest in Social Responsibility

Many companies go beyond the "bottom line" in making profits and work to improve society at large, a practice known as corporate social responsibility (CSR). Graco Paredes, CSR manager for the international tobacco group British American Tobacco, with headquarters in London, tells USINFO that many big companies and organizations are at least familiar with, if not already practicing social responsibility. The challenge now is to get new smaller and medium-size companies to understand the idea as well, even as they have other priorities in "trying to make ends meet," Paredes says. (complete text)

Haiti's Improved Economic Situation Tied to Better Security

Haiti, long associated with desperate poverty, political instability and rampant violence, now has reason to see a better future, two U.S. officials say. Velia De Pirro of the State Department and Paul Tuebner from the U.S. Agency for International Development say in separate interviews with USINFO at the December 3-5 Miami Conference on the Caribbean Basin that an improved economy in Haiti is tied to the better security the country now has, especially in the capital of Port-au-Prince. (complete text)

Trade Pacts Seen Helping All Sectors of Latin America, Caribbean

Trade and private capital flows are important economic engines for the developing world at a time when U.S. official development assistance to certain nations is being reduced. Jose Cardenas from the U.S. Agency for International Development tells USINFO that the U.S. relationship with the developing world, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, should be viewed in the “totality” of the amount of trade, investment and private flows of capital between the United States and other countries. (complete text)

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