A recent Inter-American Development Bank report, Trade Trends Estimates: Latin America and the Caribbean 2020, reveals that the value of exports from the region contracted by 2.4% in 2019 after two years of robust growth. The report forecasts that the downturn in exports will continue in the coming months due to slowing global demand, volatility of commodity markets, and … [Read more...] about Outlook for Latin American exports in 2020
After 30 years of trade liberalization, now what?
Over 30 years ago, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean embarked on a large-scale experiment to reintegrate into the global economy. After years of stagnation, international trade became the best bet for growth, creating jobs and closing the inequality gap. But in the heat of the political debate, many of the expectations went beyond what the evidence and solid … [Read more...] about After 30 years of trade liberalization, now what?
Trade Liberalization and Diversification, key for Central America
During the 1960s, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean opted for an economic development strategy based on trade protection. At its core, import substitution sought to protect local industries from foreign competition. Although the region’s economies grew significantly, this growth laid the foundations for the 1980 debt crisis, which was compounded by a series of … [Read more...] about Trade Liberalization and Diversification, key for Central America
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?
Six Ways to Boost Trade between Latin America and India
The IDB recently published, in partnership with the Export–Import Bank of India (Exim Bank), a study on trade opportunities between Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and India. The report yielded results that are highly promising for countries and companies in both subcontinents. Bilateral trade between the two regions has increased twenty-fold in as many years, going … [Read more...] about Six Ways to Boost Trade between Latin America and India