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Eastern Caribbean Countries to Protect Fragile Marine Ecosystems 
An US$8.75 million grant will ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable management of fragile marine ecosystems in the Eastern Caribbean, including the protection of over 100,000 hectares of marine habitat.
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Grenada: 8,000 Poor Families to Benefit from Improved Social Program
A new US$5 million zero-interest credit will help Grenada strengthen its conditional cash transfer program.
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Climate-Safe Infrastructure for More Than 200,000 People 
A total of US$47.12 million will help the Caribbean states of Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to improve the safety of their buildings from the impacts of climate change and increase their public institutions’ capacity to assess natural risks.
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Grenada/Saint Lucia: Energy Consumers to Benefit from Improved Service Delivery and Greener Sources
World Bank provides US$5.6 million for the establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Energy Regulatory Authority (ECERA).
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Latin America & the Caribbean Shift Gears on Growth
World Bank expects the region to grow at moderate pace in the next three years in line with its economic potential.
+ Press release
+ Live Q&A: Global Economic Prospects 

Natural Disasters: Tragedies that Can be Avoided?
Good planning and greater access to basic services for the urban poor could dramatically reduce the death toll from natural disasters, experts argue.
+ Blog 

World Bank, Brazil Step Up Fight on Poverty
Bank will double funding to Brazil next year; support to aid country's less-developed northeast region.
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 Can Latin America and the Caribbean Keep Growing?
The region is projected to grow 4-5 percent of GDP in 2011, but inflation and overheating threats loom large on the horizon, argues World Bank report.
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Bank-IMF Spring Meetings
For One Billion Hungry, Putting Food First
Join a 24-hour online conversation from April 14-15. Help us find solutions to overcome the food crisis.
+ Feature story | + Video 

Saint Lucia after “Tomas”: 20,000 to Benefit from Rehabilitation of Public Infrastructure 
A new World Bank US$15 million zero-interest credit will help Saint Lucia rehabilitate key infrastructure damaged by the passage of Hurricane Tomas and improve the island’s capacity to manage disaster risk.
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Latin America/Caribbean: 70 Million More Women Hold Jobs Following Gender Reforms
Even as women in the region make advances in the labor market, the lack of economic opportunities is still an issue that needs addressing, says the World Bank.
+ Feature story
+ Timeline 

Latin America/Caribbean: High Food Prices Threaten Region's Poor
Several Central American and Caribbean nations are highly vulnerable to the ongoing global food price spike says World Bank report.
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St. Vincent and the Grenadines: US$5M to Rehabilitate Infrastructure Damaged by Hurricane Tomas
The World Bank approves a US$5 million zero-interest credit to help Saint Vincent and the Grenadines rehabilitate key infrastructure damaged by the passage of Hurricane Tomas.
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Latin America/Caribbean to Keep Growing in 2011
The Latin America and Caribbean region has emerged from the global crisis well compared with its own past performance and the pace of recovery in other regions, says the World Bank's latest Global Economic Prospects 2011.
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Responding to St. Lucia after Hurricane Tomas
The vulnerability of the Caribbean to natural disasters and the need to strengthen disaster risk response and management systems were highlighted this month as Hurricane Tomas swept over the region, causing extensive damage in St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Barbados.
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Latin America/Caribbean: Remittances On Steady Growth Path 
After experiencing a steep decline in 2009, the region's remittances will grow 2 percent in 2010 to gradually reach a solid 7-10 percent growth pace in 2011-12.
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Grenada Among Global Leaders in Improving Business Regulation
Grenada was among the 10 economies worldwide that most improved their business environment in the past year, according to the new Doing Business 2011 report.
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St. Lucia, T&T Lead Region in Data Tools to Fight Poverty
World Bank Innovations in Statistics Awards recognize data as key tool to fight poverty and design better social policy in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Small Islands, Big Challenges
OECS Heads of Government and World Bank officials discussed the region's growth prospects in light of the international financial crisis at a recent roundtable consultation in St. Lucia.
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Latin America/Caribbean Cushion Crisis' Social Impact
The global economic crisis' impact on the region's unemployment and poverty figures was less than expected thanks to its sound economic and social policies.
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+ Watch video

Latin America and the Caribbean: Commodities Fuel Prosperity
Contrary to long-held beliefs, World Bank report finds that commodity revenues can create long-term prosperity in the region.
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Latin America/Caribbean: Economic Outlook Improves
With a projected growth of more than 5 percent for 2010, the region is moving fast towards a full recovery, but must improve on productivity and innovation.
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Investment in Latin American/Caribbean Youth Growing
As the World Youth Conference unfolds, regional leaders increasingly ask Bank experts for policy advice on programs that foster better education and job opportunities for childen and youth.
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Record Funding Spurs Opportunities, Growth in Latin America/Caribbean
World Bank provided almost US$18 billion to support the region's recovery from the financial crisis and help create more opportunities for its citizens.
+ More ¦ + Bank Results
+ IDA: Helping the Poorest Countries

Bank Broadens Access to Information
New policy, effective July 1, makes thousands of documents available, enhances Bank transparency.
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WB Announces New OECS Regional Partnership Strategy for Inclusive and Sustained Growth
The strategy for the next four years projects financial assistance of up to US$193 million, in addition to technical and advisory services.
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Latin America/Caribbean Becoming More Tech-Savvy in Fight Against Natural Disasters
Region is increasingly adopting disaster risk programs and technologies that save lives and protect development gains, says the World Bank.
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Latin America and Caribbean Leave Crisis Behind, Will Post Solid Growth
The region is expected to grow 4 percent in 2010 on the strength of its trade links with Asia and China, said World Bank Regional Chief Economist Augusto de la Torre.
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Bank Renews Commitment to Caribbean Nations
President Robert B. Zoellick offers the World Bank's support at meeting of CARICOM heads of government in Dominica as region faces unique growth, trade and climate challenges in post economic crisis scenario.
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Nursing Shortage in the English-Speaking Caribbean Hinders the Region's Development
Nursing shortages limit access and quality of health services and affect the region's competitiveness, says a new World Bank report.
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St. Vincent and the Grenadines: US$2.3 Million for OECS E-Government Integration
The World Bank approves a zero-interest credit to harmonize regional e-government frameworks and applications, resulting in time- and cost-savings for governments, businesses and private citizens.
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St. Lucia Makes Secondary Education a Priority 
A World Bank-supported project in St. Lucia shows clear results in access to education and quality of teaching.
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OECS Makes Big Strides Towards Development Goals
The conglomerate of six Caribbean countries has made significant progress in reducing poverty while achieving universal primary enrollment and completion.
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Dealing with Hurricane Ivan's Aftermath in Grenada 
Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in Sept. 2004, causing widespread destruction throughout the island. Thanks to a World Bank project, all five of the island’s health facilities were restored and 18 of 19 target schools were rehabilitated or reconstructed.
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OECS Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes 
The World Bank partnered with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Center to host a workshop on the Observance of Standards and Codes for Accounting and Auditing.
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Caribbean Contest: Keeping Boys Out of Risk
This Caribbean contest aimed to identify and promote existing best practices that target youth-at-risk.
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Caribbean Public Financial Management Conference 
Participants from 13 countries, donor agencies and other organizations working in the field of Public Financial Management got together in St. Lucia to explore new synergies and new approaches in their future work. 
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Fighting Poverty with More Trade
A newly-released World Bank study suggests further trade integration in the Caribbean as a tool to reduce poverty and increase employment opportunities.
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School and Work in the Eastern Caribbean
This report reviews current education and skills training options in the OECS and asks whether all youth in the region become adequately skilled for today’s global world of work.
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Vision 20/20 Conference 
Caribbean leaders seek stronger ties to the U.S. to boost economic growth and development at historic conference in Washington, D.C. co-hosted by the World Bank, the IDB and the OAS.
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Crime, Violence and Development in the Caribbean
This report shows that crime and violence are development issues. Donors and OECD countries need to work together with Caribbean countries to reduce the current levels in the region.
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