Ever since the presidents of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru signed the Framework Agreement for the Pacific Alliance in June 2012 at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, the four countries have been hard at work to create an area of deep integration in Latin America that will increase trade openness, boost competitiveness, and foster growth. May 1, 2016, marked the coming … [Read more...] about Why Are We Celebrating the Entry into Force of the Additional Trade Protocol to the Pacific Alliance?
Regional Cooperation
Why is export diversification so urgent?
Recent estimates have revealed that in 2015, exports from Latin America and the Caribbean decreased at an annualized rate of 14%, the greatest contraction recorded since the trade collapse of 2009. This trend is affecting not only the region but the global economy as a whole. As a result, economists have begun to wonder if global trade has reached a peak that points to a change … [Read more...] about Why is export diversification so urgent?
Bridging the Infrastructure Gap: Can infrastructure development improve trade competitiveness?
Over the last quarter century Latin America and the Caribbean have worked on opening their economies to international trade and investment. During that time, tariffs were cut in half, to less than 10 percent, and exports grew steadily, at an average of 10 percent a year. Yet despite this, Latin America has not been able to improve its position in international trade markets. … [Read more...] about Bridging the Infrastructure Gap: Can infrastructure development improve trade competitiveness?
Quick and secure way for international trade
Imagine that the place where you work has experienced a constant increase in business over the past 20 years. Imagine also that it has been forced to assume new responsibilities in order to satisfy the needs of its clients. And if that's not enough, imagine that there's been no increase in the human and financial resources available despite the increase in the workload and the … [Read more...] about Quick and secure way for international trade
Welcome to Beyond Borders, a new blog about Integration and Trade
Welcome to Beyond Borders, a new blog created by the Integration and Trade Sector of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Beyond Borders is a space where policymakers, business leaders, students, thought leaders, and anyone interested in the issues of integration and trade can come together and engage with the IDB’s specialists and experts from around the world. When I … [Read more...] about Welcome to Beyond Borders, a new blog about Integration and Trade