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…
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…
E-commerce fosters innovation and contributes to the process of digital transformation of MSMEs through the implementation of digital technologies, new business practices and new business models, which can improve the efficiency and productivity of companies beyond the effects on access to new national and international markets. This document presents some practices and policies that governments in Latin American and Caribbean countries have implemented before and after the COVID-19 pandemic to promote the participation of MSEs in cross-border e-commerce, including measures to deepen the penet…