This research is a comprehensive study that measures the impact of different trade agreements on the Caribbean’s economy. The study first introduces the trade agreements, their history and how they have evolved since their entry in force. Their impact is measured using various economic indicators such as: exports, imports, GDP etc…. This research project oversees the evolution of the Caribbean ‘s exports and imports. Using these outputs, the balance of trade is calculated. GDP and FDI inflows are also taken into account.

Further in the paper, explanations regarding the impacts are discussed. The discussions purposes are: to determine the reasons behind the failure of these agreements and find ways to improve them. The reasons are: the incapacity of the Caribbean to compete with the regions nearby and the rest of the world in various industries, the lack of infrastructures and a very weak legal structure. The ultimate aim is to propose strategies for the region to boost growth and development that will enable it to become competitive.

Abstract
Acknowledgement ii
List of abbreviations v
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Research background 1
1.2.1 Research question 2
1.2.2 Trade benefits for developing countries 2
1.3 Research Methodology 4
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 5
2.1 The Caribbean Basin 5
2.1.1 Constitution 5
2.1.2 Demographics 5
2.1.3 Language 6
2.1.4 Economy 7
2.2 Trade agreements in the Caribbean 8
2.2.1 Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) 8
2.2.2 Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Expansion Act (CBEREA) 11
2.2.3 Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) 11
2.2.4 Dominican Republic-Central America FTA (CAFTA-DR) 12
2.2.5 Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement- Hope Act 14
2.2.6 US Panama Trade Promotion Agreement 14
Chapter 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 16
3.1 Research paradigms 16
3.2 Sample and data collection 16
3.3 Data analysis and techniques 16
3.4 Reliability and Validity of the research 16
Chapter 4: DATA ANALYSIS 18
4.1 Impact on the Caribbean economy 18
4.2.1 Imports, exports and balance of trade between 2000-2004 18
4.2.2 Imports, exports and Balance of trade between 2005-2008 20
4.2.3 Imports, exports and balance of trade between 2009-2012 23
4.2.4 Imports, exports and balance of trade between 2013-2016 26
4.3 Caribbean GDP growth and FDI between 2000 and 2016 29
Chapter 5: DISCUSSION 32
5.1 Takeaways from the data analysis 32
5.2 Stability 33
5.3 Infrastructure 33
5.4 Other key components of the investment climate 34
5.4.1 Policy and legal environment 34
5.4.2 Administrative procedures 34
5.4.3 Labor 35
5.5 Single economy 35
Chapter 6: CONCLUSION 36
6.1 Answering the research question 36
6.2 Conclusion 36
Bibliography 38
Index 40
Table of Figures 41
List of Tables 41

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