Sustainable BusinessRecent posts
Superheroes of Development: The Brazilian Hospital with the Highest COVID-19 Survival Rates
During the height of the pandemic in São Paulo in 2020, receiving treatment for severe COVID-19 symptoms at public hospitals managed by Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE) meant a 10% greater chance of survival compared to the rest of the city’s public hospital network. The IDB Group recognized HIAE’s successful management model and awarded it the Superheroes of Development prize.
Microinsurance: The New Frontier for Financial Resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean
In Latin America and the Caribbean, fewer than 10% of people with potential access currently use microinsurance services. However, this gap in financial protection is beginning to narrow. The expansion of the insurtech ecosystem is transforming the insurance sector, deploying digital and innovative solutions that strengthen financial protection for the most vulnerable populations.
Five Drivers Reshaping Finance in Latin America and the Caribbean
The tech revolution is breaking down structural financial barriers across Latin America and the Caribbean. Informal workers, rural communities, and small businesses are gaining rapid access to digital savings accounts, microloans, and instant transactions, often at little or no cost. But what’s really driving this transformation?
Can Digital Credit Boost E-commerce among MSMEs?
Reaping the rewards of e-commerce is a challenge for many MSMEs. The solution may lie in the so-called “digital credit” offered by fintech companies within commercial platforms that bypass traditional banks.
IDB World: Nearshoring in Costa Rica, Regional Tax Policy & Gender Gaps
We present three selected IDB Group blog entries, on nearshoring in Costa Rica, a survey on taxation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and a call for research on gender gaps in the region.
Six Reasons Why Your Company Should Consider Mezzanine Debt
Mezzanine instruments fit right between traditional senior secured debt and old-fashioned equity, both in terms of risk and returns. If structured properly, they may do wonders for companies, especially those struggling to secure financing in the current economic context.
Why Thematic Bonds May Be a Hit in Latin America & Caribbean
Equities have traditionally dominated the market for ESG investing, but green, social and sustainable bonds, commonly called thematic bonds, are the hot new thing. Latin America and the Caribbean is uniquely positioned to benefit from this new type of investment.
Five Things to Know about Blue Bonds
Blue bonds are emerging as a new asset class that helps to solve water-related challenges, create sustainable ocean business opportunities, and signal responsible ocean stewardship. An IDB Invest and UN Global Compact report looks into this unique way to mobilize capital.
With E-Groceries, Software is Indeed Eating the World
Driven by social distancing imposed by COVID-19, the online grocery ecosystem is becoming more diverse, and increasingly innovative. Colombia’s Merqueo is a good example of a solid business model in a rapidly transforming market.
