Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2002-2003

Abstract

The 2002-2003 edition of Latin America and the Caribbean in the world economy is divided into three parts. The first part, which concerns trade and regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean (chapters I and II);, analyses the main features of the international situation and their impact on the countries' external trade in 2002 and 2003. It also examines developments in the regional integration process in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2002-2003 and the ambivalence demonstrated by some of the governments involved, which affirm their political will to continue to deepen regional integration but make no specific commitments in that regard. The second part is devoted to Latin American trade policy, particularly export promotion policy (chapters III and IV);. Chapter III deals basically with the export promotion policies of Mexico and the countries of Central America and the English-speaking Caribbean. Chapter IV looks at some aspects of an export promotion policy for services, as this area is largely undeveloped in the region. The third and last part (chapters V and VI); analyses two important elements of the international trading system. Chapter V examines the inclusion of the development dimension in multilateral negotiations, which is intended to address the differences in development levels between the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO); and to strengthen the impact of trade on development, and chapter VI describes, from the region's perspective, the changes brought about by China's accession to WTO. China's role is analysed from several different angles: as a strong competitor in world markets for labour-intensive products, as a consumer market for commodities and manufactures and as an ally in defending the development process in international forums.