Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts? Strengthening Caribbean Regional Integration

Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts? Strengthening Caribbean Regional Integration

Author: Abdullah Al-Hassan

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2020-01-17

Total Pages: 79

ISBN-13: 1513525867

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Deeper economic integration within the Caribbean has been a regional policy priority since the establishment of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the decision to create the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Implementation of integration initiatives has, however, been slow, despite the stated commitment of political leaders. The “implementation deficit” has led to skepticism about completing the CSME and controversy regarding its benefits. This paper analyzes how Caribbean integration has evolved, discusses the obstacles to progress, and explores the potential benefits from greater integration. It argues that further economic integration through liberalization of trade and labor mobility can generate significant macroeconomic benefits, but slow progress in completing the institutional arrangements has hindered implementation of the essential components of the CSME and progress in economic integration. Advancing institutional integration through harmonization and rationalization of key institutions and processes can reduce the fixed costs of institutions, providing the needed scale and boost to regional integration. Greater cooperation in several functional policy areas where the region is facing common challenges can also provide low-hanging fruit, creating momentum toward full integration as the Community continues to address the obstacles to full economic integration.


Handbook of Regional Cooperation and Integration

Handbook of Regional Cooperation and Integration

Author: Philippe De Lombaerde

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Published: 2024-02-12

Total Pages: 531

ISBN-13: 1800373740

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This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 License. It is free to read, download and share on Elgaronline.com. This timely Handbook offers a detailed cross-policy assessment on the need, locale and impact of regional cooperation and integration, addressing how the principles of regional integration have affected multi-level governance and subsequent public policy. Individual chapters provide explanations of what regional cooperation means in a specific policy area, identify relevant theories, and present empirical evidence to support the arguments outlined.


Diversification perspectives of Guyana’s agrifood sector

Diversification perspectives of Guyana’s agrifood sector

Author: weber, r., bubbico, a., morales opazo, c.

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2022-08-05

Total Pages: 24

ISBN-13: 9251367264

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Guyana’s agrifood systems are facing an increasing level of risk: rising sea-levels are eroding its coastal area, where much of the agricultural activity is located; recent off-shore oil discoveries threaten to crowd-out non-oil sectors; and a dependency on a limited number of agricultural export commodities exposes the agricultural sector to price and market volatility. The diversification of agricultural production and exports has the potential to generate growth and increase the resilience of the agricultural sector. This study identifies Guyana’s diversification potential using comparative-advantage and export-sophistication metrics, which are combined for a proximity analysis based on Guyana’s production space. The objective is to identify a set of commodities with high export potential, which is in relative proximity to the current agrifood export basket. We find oil seeds, bovine meat, sunflower seed oil, fish flours (for animal feed), palm oil, fowl, cocoa beans, cocoa paste and sunflower seeds to be commodities with high export potential. These commodities share characteristics with the current agrifood export basket. This implies that expanding the exports of these goods will not be costly and is likely to promote economic development, agricultural sector growth and reduce risks associated with market concentration.


Is MENA a Region? The Scope for Regional Integration

Is MENA a Region? The Scope for Regional Integration

Author: Mr.Stanley Fischer

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 1996-04-01

Total Pages: 26

ISBN-13: 1451980361

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The paper analyzes the scope and implications of greater economic integration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). After reviewing whether MENA satisfies the defining characteristics of a region, it documents the low level of regional economic interaction. It argues that gains from greater regional interactions will depend primarily on implementing domestic reform and external policies that, in any case, are needed for the region to benefit from the broader process of globalization of the world economy. It also discusses measures aimed directly at facilitating regional interaction.


Economic Integration in the Maghreb

Economic Integration in the Maghreb

Author: Mr.Alexei P Kireyev

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2019-02-13

Total Pages: 47

ISBN-13: 1484378377

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Individual countries of the Maghreb have achieved substantial progress on trade, but, as a region they remain the least integrated in the world. The share of intraregional trade is less than 5 percent of their total trade, substantially lower than in all other regional trading blocs around the world. Geopolitical considerations and restrictive economic policies have stifled regional integration. Economic policies have been guided by country-level considerations, with little attention to the region, and are not coordinated. Restrictions on trade and capital flows remain substantial and constrain regional integration for the private sector.


Latin American Economic Outlook 2021 Working Together for a Better Recovery

Latin American Economic Outlook 2021 Working Together for a Better Recovery

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2021-12-02

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 9264682317

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The Latin American Economic Outlook 2021: Working Together for a Better Recovery aims to analyse and provide policy recommendations for a strong, inclusive and environmentally sustainable recovery in the region. The report explores policy actions to improve social protection mechanisms and increase social inclusion, foster regional integration and strengthen industrial strategies, and rethink the social contract to restore trust and empower citizens at all stages of the policy‐making process.