Promoting economic links between the integration schemes of Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Abstract The aim of this document is to present a detailed examination of trade between the different subregional integration schemes of Latin America and the Caribbean, with particular emphasis on trading activity between the member countries of the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA);, the Central American Common Market (CACM); and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM);. For the purpose of evaluating ease of access to the markets of the region, the study looks at partial agreements on economic complementation entered into within the framework of the Treaty of Montevideo, and at the structure and level of the relevant tariffs. The study likewise analyzes the main features of foreign investment regimes in the region, the incipient flows of intraregional capital and the factors that have caused these to develop. The document ends with a number of recommendations for measures intended to increase the links between the various integration schemes in Latin America and the Caribbean. This work falls into three sections. The first deals with trends in regional trade; the second covers intraregional investment; and the third and last offers some recommendations for possible measures to improve economic ties between the integration schemes of the region.