Capital flows to Latin America: second quarter 2002

In the second quarter of 2002, conditions in global financial markets worsened as investor confidence deteriorated and risk aversion heightened. The revelation of corporate accounting irregularities in mature markets negatively affected investors' sentiment, causing a rebalance of portfolios in favor of higher quality assets and away from equities and low-grade bonds. Countries seen as higher risk were adversely affected by this rebalancing of portfolios. A number of Latin American countries were the focus of investors' concerns, in particular Brazil, where developments during the se…

Capital flows to Latin America: first quarter 2002

With the first signals of a global economic recovery, prospects for private capital flows to emerging markets improved in the first quarter of 2002. Despite the concerns over corporate accounting practices in the U.S. and the deepening of the economic and financial crisis in Argentina, emerging equity and bond markets have outperformed those in industrialized countries. Emerging market equities and bonds in the first quarter of the year continued to show the strong performance that started in the fourth quarter of last year. The overall JP Morgan Chase EMBI+ excluding Argentina rose about 20%…

Capital flows to Latin America: first quarter 2003

The emerging markets debt class entered 2003 in sound shape. Similar to 2002, emerging markets debt finished the first quarter of 2003 as the top performer over all other fixed income asset classes, as well as equity markets. The downside risks for the global recovery, uncertainty about the length of the war with Iraq, and the deteriorating economic outlook in the US and Europe actually contributed to highlight the benefits of diversification into emerging markets. The flow of funds into emerging debt markets was a major factor pushing spreads down during the quarter. These inflows were drive…

Capital flows to Latin America: fourth quarter 2002

The fourth quarter of 2002 saw an increase in investor optimism, especially in October and November. The combination of declining risk aversion and a technically well-positioned market caused a rally in emerging debt markets. In Latin America, markets traded strongly following the elections in Brazil and Ecuador. Brazil enjoyed a dramatic improvement in investor sentiment after the elections, supported by the new government's commitments to continue fiscal and economic reforms, as well as the global easing of credit conditions . Although sovereign spreads remained wide, Brazilian borrower…

United States-Latin America and the Caribbean trade developments, 2002

This document provides an overview of the most relevant developments in United States trade policy relating to Latin America and the Caribbean in 2002. U.S. policy continued to promote trade liberalization through advancing negotiations on multiple fronts- globally (WTO), regionally (FTAA) and bilaterally or sub regionally- with a view that the various negotiations are mutually reinforcing and seek to create a constructive competition for liberalization among trade partners. The passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) included in the Trade Act of August 2002 enhanced the U.S. Adminis…

Canada's trade and investment with Latin America and the Caribbean

In the 1990s, Canada's trade relations with Latin America and the Caribbean intensified. The signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 signaled the beginning of a new phase in trade relations between Canada and countries in the hemisphere. Since 1994, Canada has signed trade agreements with Costa Rica and Chile. Currently, negotiations are underway for a free trade agreement with Central America. Also, preliminary talks of trade agreements with the Caribbean and the Andean Community have taken place. In addition, Canada is actively participating in negotiati…

United States economic outlook: quarterly developments

United States economic outlook: quarterly developments

Access to Latin American and Caribbean exports in the U.S. market 2001-2002

Access to Latin American and Caribbean Exports in the United States market, 2001-2002 is the seventh annual report released by the ECLAC Washington Office, updating information contained in previous reports. Its aim is to compile and make available information on trade inhibiting measures that Latin American and Caribbean exports encounter in the United States market. This report needs to be placed in the context of a trade relationship between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean, which has grown strongly over the years to the benefit of both economies. Moreover, it must be…

United States economic outlook: quarterly developments

Electronic commerce, international trade and employment: review of the issues

Electronic commerce is a relatively new phenomenon. Its rapid expansion since the mid-1990s has drawn attention to the impact it will have on promoting trade, economic growth and development. In addition to the many benefits associated with e-commerce, concern has been rising in regards to the widening technological gap, 'The digital divide' among countries and sectors within countries. Electronic commerce and the Internet are posed to stimulate trade by lowering the cost of gathering and processing information from distant markets, by creating global access to specific goods and s…

Capital flows to Latin America: third quarter 2001

Events in Argentina dominated most of the third quarter of 2001 until September 11, when the terrorist attacks against the United States prompted a sell-off of emerging markets assets, increasing uncertainty and risk aversion against a background of global economic slowdown. Emerging markets' short term prospects to tap international capital markets deteriorated significantly. In the third quarter of 2001, Latin American countries issued US$7.6 billion in bonds, following US$11.2 billion in the second quarter and US$13.2 billion in the first quarter, which had been a jump from onl…

Barriers to Latin American and Caribbean exports in the US market, 2000-2001

Introduction Barriers to Latin American and the Caribbean Exports in the U.S. market, 2000- 2001 is the seventh annual report released by the ECLAC Washington Office, updating information contained in previous reports. Its aim is to compile and make available information on trade inhibiting measures that Latin American and Caribbean exports encounter in the United States. The report needs to be placed in the context of a trade relationship between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean, which has grown strongly over the years to the benefit of both economies. Moreover, …

Capital flows to Latin America: second quarter 2001

Capital flows to Latin America: first quarter 2001

Capital flows to Latin America: fourth quarter 2000

Capital flows to Latin America: third quarter 2000

Capital flows to Latin America: second quarter 2000

Economic survey of United States, 1999

Barriers to Latin American and Caribbean exports in the US market, 1998-1999

Introduction Barriers to Latin American and Caribbean Exports in the US Market, 1998-1999 is the sixth report released yearly by ECLAC Washington. Its aim is to provide information on trade inhibiting measures that Latin American and Caribbean exports encounter in the United States, updating that contained in previous reports. The classification of trade inhibiting measures follows that used by the US Trade Representative's yearly publication National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. Out of this classification, the report focuses on those three of greatest relevan…