Beyond Borders: The New Regionalism in Latin America: Economic and Social Progress in Latin America: 2002 Report (Inter-American Development Bank) Book

Regional integration initiatives have long been part of the world economic landscape. In Latin America, integration flourished in the early post-war era but then lost momentum until the 1990s, when there was a new wave of initiatives ranging from free trade areas to customs unions. Beyond Borders, this year?s edition of Economic and Social Progress in Latin America, explores the emergence of this "new regionalism." The resurgence of integration has complemented unilateral and multilateral efforts to open up the world economy and become a vital part of Latin America?s structural reform process. The book examines such dimensions of integration as market access, institutional arrangements, regional infrastructure, financial integration, and macroeconomic and exchange rate coordination. It also looks at the effects on productivity, foreign direct investment and inequality. Other topics include the configuration of subregional integration initiatives, the Doha multilateral trade agenda, and North-South initiatives such as the Free Trade Area of the Americas and interregional agreements with the European Union.Read More