Explore International Trade with MAGIC, ECLAC’s Tool for Analyzing Competitiveness

(August 28, 2024) The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) updated and added data to the Module for the Analysis of Growth in International Commerce (MAGIC). This interactive web program is designed to offer a detailed analysis of the ex post competitiveness of exports, providing users from diverse sectors with a comprehensive view of international trade.

What is MAGIC?

MAGIC is an advanced platform designed by ECLAC’s Subregional Headquarters in Mexico that allows for analyzing the competitiveness of the exports of a trading partner or partners in a determined market. This tool analyzes goods trade in the markets of the United States, Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua y Panama), Mexico, and the countries of the European Union.

What MAGIC offers

MAGIC is based on data provided by the United States Census Bureau, the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), and the United Nations system for statistics on merchandise trade (Comtrade). Among its functionalities, MAGIC provides:

• Bilateral trade profiles and competitiveness reports.
• Data on merchandise transport and tariffs for the U.S. market.
• Detailed information on the value of what was traded, market share, main products and competitors.
• Indicators on effective tariffs and the amount of duties paid.
• Identification of successful products, market opportunities, and much more.

What’s new in the 2024 update

In the recent 2024 update, MAGIC incorporated new tools and data, including:

• Information on transport for 17 countries of the European Union.
• Improved filters in the modules for Competitiveness Analysis by Country and Trade-related Charges by Country.
• New functionalities for comparing results and maintaining the data framework.
• Access to explanatory materials directly from the database.

Free access

The MAGIC software is free of charge. To start exploring its powerful analytical tools, sign up at https://newmagic.cepal.org/. All the information and supporting materials are available on our web page.

ECLAC invites you to discover how MAGIC can be a valuable tool for analyzing international trade and providing valuable data for making strategic decisions in the business, governmental and academic sectors and all others with an interest in international trade.