The COVID-19 crisis is fueling change in trade at a blistering pace. An example where this acceleration is proving positive is the catalyzing of digital transformation in countries and industries that have been late adopters. The circumstances of the crisis have led businesses and governments to adapt their products and … [Read more...] about COVID-19: How risk management can improve trade operations
Trade Facilitation
The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, a milestone in trade negotiations
The future of international trade negotiations is already here. It’s called the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement and was recently signed by three countries, including Chile. This landmark agreement seeks to establish global standards for the digital economy. It couldn’t have come at a better time, given how important digitization and Industry 4.0 will be in recovering from … [Read more...] about The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, a milestone in trade negotiations
Global Value Chains and the Environment in a post-COVID World
Many predictions have floated about the future of global value chains (GVC), or the separation of production in stages across borders, in a post-COVID19 world. They include some degree of reshoring by which global lead firms bring back to their home country the production of intermediate inputs initially offshored to other countries. Other predictions include a higher degree of … [Read more...] about Global Value Chains and the Environment in a post-COVID World
The resilience and transformation of Customs authorities during COVID-19
Over the past few months, Customs authorities in Latin America and the Caribbean have had to work hard and think outside the box in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tons of personal protective equipment, including masks, gowns, medical devices, medicines, and disinfectant products, as well as food and other necessities, have passed through these agencies. Those shipments … [Read more...] about The resilience and transformation of Customs authorities during COVID-19
How trade policy can help avoid a food security crisis under COVID-19?
The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing back the ghost of a food security crisis, similar to the one that swept the world more than a decade ago. One concern is that protectionism magnifies the negative economic effects of the confinement measures implemented to rein in the coronavirus. Although these concerns seem overstated, the agriculture sector in Latin America and the Caribbean … [Read more...] about How trade policy can help avoid a food security crisis under COVID-19?