Event

The Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), hosts the Research Seminar Presentations of PhD Candidate, Ms. Varuna Ramlal, and MPhil Candidate, Ms. Marlene Murray, on Wednesday 8th December, 2010, at the SALISES Conference Centre, UWI.     

Ms. Ramlal begins the seminar at 10 am with her presentation, titled Corporate Governance and the Stock Market in Trinidad &Tobago. Ms. Murray will follow at 11 am, with her presentation on Natural Catastrophe Risk Management in Caribbean States- A comparative study of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.

Please see below for the abstracts of each presentation. 

Corporate Governance and the Stock Market in Trinidad &Tobago, by Varuna Ramlal

This paper seeks to investigate corporate governance and its interaction with the stock market in Trinidad & Tobago. The analysis first focuses on the construction of a Corporate Governance Index for Trinidad & Tobago (CGITT) by considering the key corporate governance elements listed in the Corporate Governance guide given by the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago and generally accepted Corporate Governance practices. The index values are then calculated for each of the firms listed on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE). The analysis then proceeds to estimate the relationship between firms’ levels of corporate governance and their stock market performance, where the latter is proxied by the firms’ financial ratios.   

Natural Catastrophe Risk Management in Caribbean States - A comparative study of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, by Marlene Murray

Caribbean States have experienced several disasters arising mainly from hurricane and earthquake events. Many of these events resulted in loss of life and social dislocation, as well as severe financial losses and economic distress. There has been much discussion by Caribbean States as to adequate responses to the threat of natural disasters. Proposals and policy positions have been advanced in different for a, focusing on both vulnerability and disaster management.   

This research project seeks to examine the exposure of Caribbean States to natural disasters arising from hurricanes and earthquakes. Specifically by reference to Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, the research will assess vulnerability to such events, identify measures currently used to manage natural catastrophe risk and investigate the extent to which such measures are adequate. Research results will be used to formulate policy and implementation recommendations to improve the effectiveness of catastrophe risk management within the Caribbean.