When Paraguay Teas was created, Margarita Duarte and her sister Marisa were two young, entrepreneurial women from the city who one day went touring the Paraguayan countryside to talk directly to farmers. Many of them where men older than the Duarte sisters, who listened with suspicion to the strangers. Little by little the Duarte sisters managed to buy, process and pack high … [Read more...] about How did a Paraguayan SME manage to overcome barriers and the cost of information to offer a top product that meets international standards?
International trade
Five Findings About the Impact of the Depreciations on Latin American Exports
The exchange rates in most countries in Latin America underwent marked depreciations during the last two years of downturn in global trade. Real depreciations are generally expected to stimulate growth in exports, as when currencies depreciate, domestic goods become cheaper and more competitive abroad. … [Read more...] about Five Findings About the Impact of the Depreciations on Latin American Exports
The Origin and Dynamics of Export Superstars
How can we promote export growth and diversification? This is a perennial question for policymakers around the world, especially in developing countries. What type of exporters should we promote? Should we care about all potential exporters or only those of a particular size? If we frame our thinking in terms of size, then the existing trade literature provides some answers … [Read more...] about The Origin and Dynamics of Export Superstars
The Stabilization of Prices Favored Regional Exports in 2016
According to Trade Trend Estimates: Latin America and the Caribbean, in 2016, exports from Latin America and the Caribbean have shrunk by an estimated 6%, which points to a tempering of the severe 15% contraction of 2015. Almost every country in the region saw a slowing in the pace of the contraction of foreign sales (Figure 1). Remarkably, starting from August 2016, the region … [Read more...] about The Stabilization of Prices Favored Regional Exports in 2016
The interest of Chinese Electricity Companies in Brazil
Over the last month, news on the Brazilian energy sector revolved around two mega-operations involving Chinese capital: the purchase of CPFL by the State Grid Corporation of China and that of Duke Energy by the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG). These investments have increased the standing of the two companies in their respective areas: State Grid now distributes 20% of … [Read more...] about The interest of Chinese Electricity Companies in Brazil