The cost of shipping goods has risen rapidly during the past 18 months. The average freight rate of US imports, based on cargo value, has gained a full percentage point relative to pre-pandemic levels (see Figure 1).[1] The average freight cost of a global 40-foot container has increased more than five times since the pandemic started, with routes such as Shanghai-to-Los … [Read more...] about Why Are Shipping Costs Increasing? What US Import Data Tell Us
The Role of Small and Medium-Size Firms in Countries’ Export Growth
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can substantially contribute to a country’s long-term export growth and diversification. And trade promotion organizations can play an important role in the process. We have found this after analyzing the export performance of developing countries by using transaction-level data of all Peruvian exports between … [Read more...] about The Role of Small and Medium-Size Firms in Countries’ Export Growth
What Happened to Cross-Border E-Commerce Under the Pandemic?
There is a strong consensus that cross-border e-commerce has been growing at a fast pace. Available data suggests that the pandemic could have even accelerated this trend. For instance, according to its most recent financial report, Amazon’s international net sales increased by 28.3% between the first semester of 2020 and the same period of 2019. However, this evidence is, … [Read more...] about What Happened to Cross-Border E-Commerce Under the Pandemic?
Trade in the Time of Pandemic: How COVID-19 has impacted firms in 6 Latin American countries
The pandemic is predicted to have a significant negative impact on international trade. According to WTO projections, Latin America and the Caribbean’s exports and imports are expected to experience a pronounced decrease this year, reaching at least 13% and 22% respectively --in line with the estimates for the world. Available aggregate data confirm that the region’s trade … [Read more...] about Trade in the Time of Pandemic: How COVID-19 has impacted firms in 6 Latin American countries
How to create effective investment promotion agencies?
The international game of hopscotch Policymakers worldwide try to boost economic growth and investment, including by attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). For this purpose, they revise investment laws, reduce administrative burdens, propose new investment incentives schemes, and create and reinvent the agencies charged with promoting and facilitating investment – … [Read more...] about How to create effective investment promotion agencies?