Multilateral rules on competition policy: an overview of the debate

Includes bibliography

Competition Policy and Trade Agreements in the Region: Exploring Forums for Cooperation and Convergence

The similarities of competition provisions in integration and other intraregional agreements and the dissemination of this information could serve as a basis for progress in cooperation and convergence on this issue in the region. The negotiation processes that have taken place for these agreements have also enhanced communication between the national agencies concerned, leading to processes of learning and harmonization; these processes could be strengthened as part of the current efforts of administrating and implementing trade agreements. This edition of the FAL Bulletin reviews the information available in order to see how progress can be made on this issue on the basis of the analysis and bibliography of Álvarez and others (2006), and Silva and Álvarez (2006).

Advantages and limitations of Costa Rica's experience in competition policy. A benchmark for the rest of the countries in the Central American region

Incluye Bibliografía

Cooperation on competition policy in Latin American and Caribbean bilateral trade agreements

Incluye Bibliografía

Legal and economic interfaces between antidumping and competition policy

Includes bibliography

Trade in services in Latin America and the Caribbean: an analysis of recent trends

Includes bibliography

The effectiveness of technical assistance, socio-economic development and the absorptive capacity of competition authorities

Includes bibliography

Best practices in defence of competition in Argentina and Brazil: useful aspects for Central America

Includes bibliography

Establishing social statistical databases for evidenced-based social policy formulation in the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Centroamérica y México: políticas de competencia a principios del siglo XXI

Incluye Bibliografía

The contribution of biofuels to the sustainability of development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Energy efficiency potential in Jamaica: challenges, opportunities and strategies for implementation

Incluye Bibliografía

Negotiating trade agreements for the 21st century

Includes Bibliography

Population, social equity and changing production patterns

Includes bibliography

An assessment of fiscal and regulatory barriers to deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in Belize

Belize is currently faced with several critical challenges associated with the production, distribution and use of energy. Despite an abundance of renewable energy resources, the country remains disproportionately dependent on imported fossil fuels, which exposes it to volatile and rising oil prices, limits economic development, and retards its ability to make the investments that are necessary for adapting to climate change, which pose a particularly acute threat to the small island states and low-lying coastal nations of the Caribbean. This transition from energy consumption and supply patterns that are based on imported fossil fuels and electricity towards a more sustainable energy economy that is based on environmentally benign, indigenous renewable energy technologies and more efficient use of energy requires concerted action as the country is already challenged by limited fiscal space which reduces its ability to provide some fiscal incentives, which have been proven to be effective tools for the promotion of sustainable energy markets in a number of countries. This report identifies the fiscal and regulatory barriers to implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies in Belize. Data and information were derived from stakeholder consultations conducted within the country. The major result of the assessment is that the transition of policies and plans into tangible action needs to be increased. In this regard, it is necessary to articulate sub-policies of the National Energy Policy to amend the Public Utilities Commission Act, to develop a grid interconnection policy, to establish minimum energy performance standards for buildings and equipment and to develop a public procurement policy. Finally, decisions on renewable energy and energy efficiency-related incentives from the Government formally requires decision-makers to solve what may be extremely complex optimization problems in order to obtain the lowest-cost provision of energy services to society, thereby weighing the cost of revenue losses with the benefits of fuel and infrastructure expansion savings. The establishment of a management system that is efficient, flexible, and transparent, which will facilitate the implementation of the strategic objectives and outputs in the time available, with the financial resources allocated is recommended. Support is required for additional institutional and capacity strengthening.