The structure and competitiveness of the Brazilian capital goods industry

This article analyses changes in the structure and competitiveness ofthe Brazilian capital goods industry since the early 1990s and proposes aclassification within that industry based on the different industrial segmentsfrom which the demand for machinery and equipment derives. Althoughthis industry still accounts for a large share of manufacturing sector valueadded, the production efficiency and international competitiveness of thesegments it comprises are quite heterogeneous. The article singles out thesegments with the greatest development potential and suggests measuresthat could be taken …

Speculation and price volatility in the coffee market

Green coffee growers, most of whom are smallholders, have suffered from the significant volatility and fall in the international price of this commodity over the past decade. It is therefore crucial to understand the factors that drive price volatility, which has been studied extensively for other commodities but not for coffee. This study looks into the determinants of the conditional volatility of green coffee prices in three different markets: spot, futures and physical.…

Policy Brief: Policy actions to facilitate upgrading of the agricultural sector in Trinidad and Tobago

For many countries, the acceleration of integration into the global economy and multilateral trading system provides an opportunity to access a wider range of goods and services as well as export markets, increasing their economic incomes, and improving the welfare of the citizenry. In particular, preferential trade agreements tend to increase export market access opportunities for the agro-industrial products of developing countries. While increased market access offers many opportunities for enhancing the economic growth of exporting countries, developing countries are often unable to seize…

Trade unions in the "South" in the era of globalization

This article examines the effects of globalization on the trade unionmovement in developing countries (the South );. It concludes, first, thatglobalization has been asymmetrical: much further-reaching for tradein goods than for capital flows, weak for technology transfer and verylimited in migratory flows. Second, it examines the role and economicrepercussions of labour unions. It finds that, contrary to the orthodoxview, these have little negative impact on employment but do significantlyreduce wage inequalities. In view of the shift in the South since the 1980saway from developmen…

Regional integration and public policy. Evaluation of the European experience and possible implications for Latin American integration

Proposals for the liberalization of trade and investment in the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)

Summary Presents an overview of the status of trade liberalization in the countries of the ACS and concludes that most countries have implemented substantial trade and investment reforms which have resulted in more liberalized trading regimes and a more welcoming environment for foreign investment. Obstacles to trade and investment are examined and recommendations made in respect of the ACS Secretariat. , 19970324 , Len Ishmael , Publications 1997 Port of Spain …

Economic analysis based on input-output tables: Definitions, indicators and applications for Latin America

This manual summarizes the theoretical bases of the input-output model applied in the economic analysis of countries and groups of countries (subregions). The input-output tables developed by the Regional Integration Unit of the International Trade and Integration Division of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) will be of use to government experts for conducting their own calculations and analyses, following and adapting the guidelines and recommendations contained the manual to design specific public policies. Some indicators suggested in the document include …

Global value chains and world trade: Prospects and challenges for Latin America

Scant empirical evidence is available on how the Latin American and Caribbean region participates in global value chains (GVCs) and what drives this process. Frequent questions in this connection are: How has the spread of information and communications technologies and free trade agreements facilitated the region’s participation in GVCs? To what extent do small firms participate in GVCs? What learning mechanisms and production and technological feedbacks operate in different types of GVCs? How can countries and firms take advantage of upgrading processes in GVCs? What role do policies play to…

Technical workshop on “Value chain development for deeper integration of FEALAC: Asian perspectives”

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is organizing a technical Workshop from 10 to 11 July 2019, UNCC, Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop is part of the collaborative project between ESCAP, ECLAC and ADB in a project aiming to enhance value chain integration between Asia and Latin America. The workshop will gather policy analysts, researchers and policymakers working in Asia-Pacific member states of FEALAC. The purposes of the workshop are to review the study in intraregional value chains development and to identify emerging opportunities and challenges facing Asia-…

TradeCAN: database and software for a Competitiveness Analysis of Nations: user guide

Latin America's Prospects for Upgrading in Global Value Chains

Strategies for Post COVID-19 Recovery in the Caribbean

Segundo Foro de Inversión y Cooperación de Alto Nivel China-América Latina

El Segundo Foro de Inversión y Cooperación de Alto Nivel entre China y América Latina, organizado conjuntamente por la Comisión Económica de las Naciones Unidas para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), el Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina (CAF) y el Ministerio de Finanzas de la República Popular de China, se llevará a cabo en la sede de la CEPAL en Santiago, Chile, el 16 de octubre de 2019.…

A competitiveness index for the regions of a country

This article, which forms part of a comprehensive research projecton measuring the level of competitiveness, sets out a proposal fordeveloping an index to measure the competitiveness of the regions of acountry. The aim is to develop a new approach to competitiveness, bymeasuring how resources and capacities are managed in a given regionof a country, to generate a sustained increase in business productivity andthe well-being of its population. The following pillars of the competitivenessof regions are identified: (i); government and institutions; (ii); economicdevelopment; (iii); productive inf…

Quinto Foro internacional de servicios Promperú

Participación en Foro Internacional sobre exportación de servicios. Esta reunión fue organizada por Promperú y tuvo lugar en Lima el día 8 de julio.…

Short term indicators for Jamaica: a leading indicator for the manufacturing sector

Comercio electrónico transfronterizo en América Latina y el Caribe: análisis a partir de las visitas a plataformas en línea de comercio entre empresas y consumidores

La falta de datos detallados dificulta el análisis del comercio electrónico transfronterizo en América Latina y el Caribe. En este trabajo se utiliza la base de datos Marketplace Explorer de América Latina y el Caribe, de la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), el Centro de Comercio Internacional (ITC) y la Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas de Ámsterdam, sobre tráfico de visitas a plataformas en línea de comercio electrónico entre empresas y consumidores. Los datos muestran que las diez mayores economías de la región concentran más del 90% del tráfico transfronterizo dir…