For us in the OECS, it is always interesting to compare our basic statistics among ourselves, and with other small, medium-sized and large countries. Another interesting factor has been the comparison of our basic resource endowments with our expectations. This poses a particular dilemma for us in the Caribbean because of our system of liberal democracy and our geographical position in the Western Hemisphere.
The clearing process, by novating positions to a central counterparty (CCP), allows risks to be centrally managed to a standard acceptable to the market and its regulators. Moreover, with legally enforceable multilateral netting, gross exposures can be drastically reduced.