Caribbean Outlook 3: Economic recovery and repositioning in the era of COVID-19. Policy Brief

The economies of the subregion were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those dependent on tourism. As a result, the Caribbean has seen a reversal of the hard-won gains achieved in growing their economies and reducing unemployment and inequality. The inflation stemming from pandemic supply chain disruption, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has made the sustained uptick in economic performance beyond pre-pandemic levels unlikely, notwithstanding strong growth estimates for 2021 and 2022. The last two years have taught the region that continued ‘business as usual’ is…

Comercio, cambio climático y el impuesto fronterizo al carbono

En julio de 2021, la Comisión Europea presentó el paquete Fit for 55 con el objetivo de reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero en la Unión Europea en al menos un 55% para 2030. Este paquete incluye el mecanismo de ajuste fronterizo de carbono (CBAM) dirigido inicialmente al cemento, fertilizantes, hierro, acero, aluminio, electricidad e hidrógeno. La introducción de este impuesto transfronterizo al carbono ha generado debates a nivel mundial y ha suscitado preocupaciones sobre la posibilidad de que se convierta en una vía para el lavado verde, así como sobre acusaciones de protec…

Digital and sustainable trade facilitation in Latin America and the Caribbean: regional report 2023

This report presents the results for Latin America and the Caribbean of the fifth United Nations Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, conducted in the first half of 2023 with the participation of 163 countries (26 from the region). The average regional implementation rate across the 31 core measures is 71%, slightly above the average for all participant countries (69%). Despite being severely hit by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the countries of the region have continued to advance in the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement of the World Tra…

At ECLAC, Paraguay’s President Calls for Dialogue among Latin American and Caribbean Countries to Offer a Continent of Peace in a World Plagued by Conflict

In the framework of his official visit to Chile, the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, gave a keynote lecture today at the central headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in Santiago, urging the region’s countries to dialogue in a context of mutual respect, putting the interests that unite them first and offering a continent of peace in a troubled world, plagued by conflicts that have affected all countries due to their magnitude. The Paraguayan leader – who took office on August 15, 2023 – was received by the United Nation…

Goods Exports from Latin America and the Caribbean Increase 20% in 2022, but Growth is Down from Previous Year

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) estimates the growth in the value of regional exports at 20% in 2022, driven by a 14% rise in prices and an expansion of 6% in exported volumes. These are the figures reported by the United Nations organization in its latest flagship annual report published today in a press release. In the report International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean 2022, the Commission also indicates that the value of regional goods imports increased by 24%. Like exports, the bulk of the increase in regional import value is attribu…

Presidente de Paraguay llama en la CEPAL al diálogo a los países de América Latina y el Caribe para ofrecer un continente de paz en un mundo asolado por los conflictos

En el marco de su visita oficial a Chile, el Presidente de la República del Paraguay, Santiago Peña, realizó hoy una conferencia magistral en la sede central de la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), en Santiago, en la cual hizo un llamado a los países de la región a dialogar en el marco del respeto mutuo, anteponiendo los intereses que los unen, ofreciendo un continente de paz en un mundo conturbado, asolado por conflictos que debido a su magnitud han impactado a todos los países del mundo. El Mandatario paraguayo, quien asumió el cargo el pasado 15 de agosto de 2023, …

Report of the twenty-ninth session of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Digital Trade Regulatory Review for Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean

Economic integration and effective engagement in digital trade have been identified as key priorities in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) for accelerating recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and as engines of sustainable development. Digitalization increases the number of businesses and consumers accessible globally, helps diffuse ideas and knowledge, and raises productivity and consumer welfare. It also enables new business models and practices, bringing both opportunities and challenges. As Governments take steps to regulate the digital economy, the challenges are da…