Economic Issues in the Next Decade: Handbook for Negotiations Manuela Tortora
Even if the changes in the world economy and
their impact on national economy are widely commented,little is said about the
consequences of those changes for international economic negotiations. Similarly, little
is said about the difficulties they imply for the negotiators, whose responsabilities are
at least as important as those of other public officials.
Bearing in mind this concern, this article presents a futuristic exercise, where it
identifies, on the basis of current trends of the international economic agenda, the
crucial issues which will, in the next few years, will put to the test our negotiators'
skills.
Paradigms and
Economic Integration in Latin America
Gerardo Arellano
Latin America has all the necessary features to build a stable and dynamic community. However, in practice, petty interests and short-term territorial aspirations have divided people of the region to such an extent that «the neighbor's syndrome» has characterized relations among them. Our countries find that political costs are lower when links are forged with nations from other continents rather than with their own neighbors. However, argues the author, the transforming potentials of integration are beginning to be felt in Latin America and the Caribbean. Eventually, the community of the South that will emerge from all current integration efforts will provide the groundwork for a new philosophy of life.
MERCOSUR:
Evaluation and Perspectives
Armando Di Filippo
The following article examines MERCOSUR's main characteristics. It reviews its origins, its institutional framework and the impressive strides made by its member countries toward trade liberalization. The new position on foreign direct investment is considered with some detail, together with the treatment granted to social issues. Finally, MERCOSUR's position vis-á-vis the rest of ALADI member countries and the importance of economic links with the European Union are examined. A reference is also made to negotiations on the FTAA.
Which Mercosur
Anyway?
Miguel Rodríguez Mendoza
MERCOSUR is a member of the family of new
regional pacts that have blossomed in Latin America with the liberalization that has taken
place since the late 1980's. Contrary to some opinions, its intent is to expand and
liberalize trade, both among members and with the rest of the world.
The following article argues that considerable liberalization , internal and external, has
occurred in the MERCOSUR countries and such liberalization has benefited member and
non-member producers- as well as MERCOSUR consumers.
Economic
Integration and Trade Relations in Central America
Haroldo Rodas Melgar
The Central American integration process is
treated by this author as an integral part of the changes experienced by the subregion
over the past ten years, marked by the return of peace, the implementation of a new
development strategy, and the search for greater international insertion.
Within this setting, the author proceeds to analyze the challenges of Central American
economic integration, the wide variety of trade negotiations under way, and most
particularly, the ties to the United States of America.
Integration
and Competitivity in a Globalized World: Outlook for the Andean Community
Mercedes Araoz
The Andean Group is still an enigma among
recent Latin American integration agreements. As any integration process, it has had its
highs and lows, however, at least in the field of trade, de facto integration between
Andean Community members has grown. Within the context of a more globalized world, trade
among AC countries has a bearing on the development of the region's economy, particularly
on the development of its exports' competitiveness.
The article reviews the evolution of integration processes in Latin America and the role
the Andean Community plays within such process. The AC trade flows with the region are
then examined, as well as the effects of integration on competitiveness.
Hemispheric
Negotiations: Questions and Options
Juan Mario Vacchino
After closely examining the creation of
regional integration spaces, the author proceeds to carefully explore the process leading
to the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) from a tridimensional
viewpoint encompassing background events, advances in the Working Groups, and likely
impacts.
In light of the last meeting of the FTAA Undersecretaries of Trade, the author sets forth
the important queries and possible options open to the 34 countries currently
participating in the process of creating a hemispheric free trade area.
Path to the
Free Trade Area of the Americas
Richard L. Bernal
The countries of the Western hemisphere have announced their intentions to form a hemisphere-wide free trade area, to be known as the Free Trade Area of the Americas. However, they have not designed nor agreed upon a path to commencement of the operation of the FTAA. In the absence of a single path different paths are evolving, while a process of consultation and preparatory work unfolds. This is taking place in a context in which there has been an increase in the number of regional and bilateral arrangements, accompanied by the rapid expansion of trade and investment flows. Existing trade arrangements and the proliferation of new initiatives might hinder or contribute to the creation of the FTAA. A consensus must be reached on a single process leading to the FTAA.
The Social
Dimension of Integration
Telasco Pulgar
In spite of the level of economic growth achieved by Latin America, as opposed to other developing regions, its income distribution is hugely uneven, the poverty index is very high, the middle class is increasingly poorer and social problems are harder to solve. The author argues that the reason for this is to be found in the unconditional manner in which the economic model adopted in recent years has been applied. In the quest for economic liberalization social policies have been left somewhat behind. Also, the region's integration agreements have viewed social issues as marginal. But for policies to be effective they must translate economic growth into development. This, argues the author, will be the only way to increase the social well- being of the majority.
Intra-Latinoamerican
Financial Engineering
SELA's Permanent Secretariat
The improvement of financial services in Latin
America and the Caribbean has began within the framework of trade and foreign investment
liberalization, originating two parallel phenomena: the surprising increase in
international capital flows to the region and the strengthening and expansion of
integration between the capital markets of Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Nevertheless, the region's financial sector still exhibits structural weaknesses which
inhibit a faster modernization pace and the full explotation of the opportunities offered
by regional and international trade.
The
Challenges of International Cooperation
Jules Albert Wijdenbosch
The President of Suriname described the panorama currently prevailing in his country as a result of the changes in the international scenario determined by the globalization process and pleaded for an increase and renewal of international cooperation.
CARICOM-MERCOSUR:
The Benefits of Greater Integration
Alvaro Ramos Trigo
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay portrays the present situation and prospects of his country, particularly its role as a member of MERCOSUR, while also pointing out the interest that his government has in launching closer links between this scheme and CARICOM.
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