The digital trade policy environment in Latin America and the Caribbean

This report presents significant findings from the Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII), highlighting similarities and differences among the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean. After introducing the Digital Trade Integration database and the methodology used in RDTII, the report outlines the main index scores by country and pillar. Jamaica, with the lowest score of 0.14, has the most open regulatory environment for digital trade in the region, whereas Cuba, with the highest score of 0.62, has a regulatory environment that is quite restrictive. The report also summarizes t…

La participación de América Latina y el Caribe en el Mecanismo de Solución de Diferencias de la OMC: una mirada panorámica a los primeros 20 años

El objetivo del presente documento es brindar una panorámica de la participación de los países de América Latina y el Caribe en el Mecanismo de Solución de Diferencias (MSD) de la Organización Mundial del Comercio en sus primeros veinte años de existencia (1995-2014). Se constata que la región como un todo ha sido una activa usuaria de este mecanismo, e incluso algunos países latinoamericanos figuran entre los principales usuarios a nivel mundial. De hecho, los países de la región frecuentemente han recurrido al MSD pese a disponer de foros alternativos para zanjar sus controversias comerciale…

Paperless trade system of the Republic of Korea: an analysis of the UNIPASS and uTradeHub single windows

Over the last two decades, the concept of the single window for foreign trade has become an increasingly important item on the global trade facilitation agenda. Asia is home to some of the world’s most advanced single windows, and the Republic of Korea is among the pioneers in the transition towards a paperless trade environment. This document presents the history and main features of its dual system, composed of two interconnected single windows: UNIPASS and uTradeHub. The experience in the Republic of Korea may be useful for policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean, where single windo…

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…

Trade and investment promotion between Asia-Pacific and Latin America: present position and future prospects

Abstract This document provides an overview of trade relations between Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and explores the possibilities for expanding the modalities of economic relations between the two regions. The analysis covers 12 countries in Asia and Oceania and 11 members of the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA). Interregional cooperation in trade and investment has been on the agendas of countries in both regions for some time. It is often expressed that the present economic relations between the two regions do not reflect the potential for interregional trade and inve…

The potential of Aid for Trade to improve the infrastructure and logistics performance of landlocked developing countries of Latin America

America is one of the priority areas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) of the United Nations and, in particular, of ECLAC Natural Resources and Infrastructure Division (NRID). Prepared as a contribution to the United Nations Development Account Project: “Facilitating the Effective Integration of Developing Countries in the Global Economy through Aid for Trade Schemes”, ROA 139-7, the present document presents the main activities, carried out by NRID for the benefit of the landlocked developing countries since the adoption of the Almaty Programme of Action: …

International Seminar: "Facilitating the Effective Integration of Developing Countries into the Global Economy through Aid for Trade"

Information and communication technology (ICT) for development of small and medium-sized exporters in Latin America: Brazil

Policy alternatives and strategies for the Plurinational State of Bolivia following the end of trade preferences

The governments of Latin America and the Caribbean have made trade-building efforts a key part of their development agenda, given the broad consensus on the important role played by trade in development policy. Although trade is known to provide opportunities to increase the income of the poor, opening up these opportunities depends on a range of domestic factors which complement trade policy and are equally important for generating growth and reducing inequality. The Division of International Trade and Integration of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has appr…

Foro Interregional del Proyecto de la Cuenta de Desarrollo: "Facilitando la efectiva integración de los países en desarrollo a la economía global a través ayuda para el comercio"

El Foro Interregional contó con la presencia de representantes de las cinco Comisiones Regionales así como actores relevantes, incluidos expertos de las respectivas regiones, socios para el desarrollo, y seleccionados centros de coordinación de los proyectos participantes.…

Joint UN call for smooth transit and transport facilitation to and from landlocked developing countries

Six United Nations agencies call on governments to ensure smooth transit and transport for their landlocked neighbours during and after #COVID19.…

Aid for Trade indicators Dashboard: user manual

Este manual presenta el diseño de una herramienta de apoyo al análisis de la información de Ayuda para el Comercio. Su desarrollo es el resultado de uno de los productos centrales del Proyecto “Facilitando la efectiva integración de los países en desarrollo a la Economía Global a través de los mecanismos de Ayuda para el Comercio”. Este observatorio presenta indicadores en línea para el conjunto de los países miembros de las cinco comisiones regionales de las Naciones Unidas participantes del proyecto.…