Export growth in Latin America: policies and performance

Export Growth in Latin America: Policies and Performance by Carla Macario with Regis Bonelli, Adriaan ten Kate and Gunnar Niels. Latin American and Caribbean countries have substantially transformed their economies over the past decades by adopting policies that set aside import substitution development strategies and foster a greater outward orientation of their economies, assigning a high priority to increasing exports. Nevertheless, in most cases export performance is still deficient, and many countries in the region have not fully taken advantage of the opportunities arising from the increase in global trade. Therefore, the question at issue is which policies have the potential to encourage a higher export growth rate, particularly for manufactured exports. This volume answers this question by examining the policies that are determinants of export performance in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. The country studies describe the macroeconomic environment and trade policy, and provide a comprehensive presentation of export promotion instruments. Next, they discuss the influence of these policies on the behavior of export firms. At the same time, evidence is presented on the learning by exporting that benefits export firms - and their domestic suppliers - as companies are compelled to introduce far-reaching changes in their practices in order to compete in global markets. A concluding section sets forth policy recommendations for enhancing export performance, while still allowing the countries to fulfill their commitments under the Uruguay Round Agreements. Carla Macario is Deputy Director of the Division of Integration and International Trade with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations (ECLAC). The book is available in English in the main bookstores of the region.