The real exchange rate — or the cost of a country’s goods relative to foreign goods — has long been a fundamental measure of the strength of a nation's importers and exporters. Among important commodity exporters in Latin America, it is closely tied to the price of commodities. But commodity prices aren't only essential for Latin American trade. Given their critical role as … [Read more...] about A New Look at Real Exchange Rates
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The New Free-Market Fervor in Latin America
Latin American countries have a history of veering from left to right in economic affairs: from support for state-driven economic development to support for free markets. But a recent survey shows an upswing in ordinary citizens' enthusiasm for capitalism. And it begs the question as to why and how long-lasting the phenomenon might be. The recent findings are remarkable. … [Read more...] about The New Free-Market Fervor in Latin America
Macroeconomic Challenges for Latin America and the Caribbean
As the October 2017 meetings in Washington wind down, the good news is that Latin America and the Caribbean is out of recession and set to grow at 1.2% this year. Only three countries (Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela—of the 26 borrowing IDB members) will post negative growth, as opposed to seven countries last year (the other four in recession last year were … [Read more...] about Macroeconomic Challenges for Latin America and the Caribbean
Can Latin America's Engagement with China Deepen?
In November 2016, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a white paper to guide its relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean through the end of 2019. The paper, encompassing the full spectrum of relationships between the two regions, emphasized that China had entered a "new phase of comprehensive collaboration" with Latin America and the Caribbean and sought to … [Read more...] about Can Latin America’s Engagement with China Deepen?
Living in the Age of Uncertainty
As Borges famously remarked, “Reality is not always probable, or likely.” So it seems in Latin America and the Caribbean: of all possible outcomes the one we have lived through is not the one many would have predicted. Moreover, as we look to the future, current forecasts display marked differences across countries and are subject to very high uncertainty. As this year … [Read more...] about Living in the Age of Uncertainty