Program to Strengthen Trade Related Capacities in the Americas

Phase 1

A. Studies on the fiscal impact of the FTAA

ECLAC will develop fiscal impact studies for the thirteen countries that requested them in their National Strategies. The studies will include a measurement of the weight of tariff revenues in the public budget and the country’s GDP; a projection of the reduction of revenues in different periods according to diverse tariff reduction scenarios for the FTAA, and related economic policy proposals.

ECLAC has developed a specific methodology which is unique for the analysis and assessment of fiscal impacts due to tariff reduction. It is unique in the way the impact is measured under tariff reduction scenarios. Other existing methodologies make assessments at a given moment in time, assuming total tariff reduction in advance, therefore reducing the possibilities for fiscal policy maneuvering.

Studies will be country-specific and will address the current fiscal situation, fiscal dependency on customs revenues, various tariff elimination scenarios, as well as estimates on the fiscal impact (in real and relative terms) under each scenario and economic policy recommendations. This methodology can be used for similar effects in diverse processes of trade liberalization.

B. Studies and information seminars regarding the liberalization of trade in the framework of the development agenda

ECLAC will organize and coordinate with local officials information dissemination seminars on the FTAA process and economic development. Many governments from the region have requested through their National Strategies assistance to develop a comprehensive communication strategy reflecting the specificities of their country.

The respect and trust that ECLAC has earned from the countries of the region as an independent institution puts ECLAC in an excellent position to help governments define and disseminate those messages among civil society. These seminars will be carried out in the region by academics, as well as experts from ECLAC and other international organizations.

C. Capacity building studies and seminar on market access and the new port and maritime security measures and the effects on agricultural exports from the region

The studies and capacity building workshop will enable local officials and the private sector to develop strategies to strengthen their countries’ capacities to understand and evaluate the new regulations resulting from the measures regarding port and maritime security and the threat of bio-terrorism.

One workshop, open to the authorities of the countries that have asked for cooperation in this area, will be organized in the Andean region to share information from the studies and to learn best practices with respect to this field.

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D. Seminar and capacity building workshop in the field of intellectual property rights (IP)

ECLAC will organize and coordinate a workshop in this field, with experts from diverse Latin American countries, as well as from various international entities. Collaboration with the Mexican Ministry of the Economy and the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property is envisaged.

The workshop will address the relationship between economic development and intellectual property rights. Current trends and the relevance of the creation or strengthening of national research systems will be analyzed. Furthermore, other topics such as traditional and cultural property and the effective administration of an intellectual property protection system in Latin America will be discussed.

E. Capacity building workshop in the field of competition policy

With experts from ECLAC, the Federal Competition Commission of Mexico, and the Mexican Ministry of the Economy, ECLAC will organize and hold a workshop for the twelve countries that requested assistance in capacity building in this field.

The workshop will cover relevant themes such as the relationship between competition and development. Additionally, national experiences in this area, as well as the relationship between international trade and competition in regulated sectors, will be studied.

F. Capacity building workshop on the use of specialized trade databases

ECLAC and other international organizations – IADB, World Bank, UNCTAD, etc. – have developed instruments and databases specialized in the analysis and monitoring of trade flows, specialization of counties, tariff barriers, etc. A training workshop for civil servants will be held on the use of various databases, with the idea that through these individuals the knowledge will be used in the design of trade policy.

During the workshop, specialists will cover methodologies for using the various databases and the main features of each database. Topics will include trade flows, data sources, analytical exercises, tariff reduction schedules, etc. In addition, practical exercises for each database will take place.