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Miscellaneous Research
Acevedo, Carlos. 2003. “La Experiencia de Crecimiento Económico en El Salvador Durante el Siglo XX.” Economic and Sector Studies, Inter-American Development Bank, Region II. (S)
Summary: The paper presents a growth decomposition analysis that describes economic growth in the twentieth century with a focus on El Salvador’s two stages of government/fiscal reforms, the first being 1989-1995 and the second stage being the period since 1995. The first stage included the elimination of price controls, reduction of tariffs and other barriers to external trade, the liberalization of the exchange rate and interest rates, and the privatization of the banking system. The second stage focused on continued deregulation, the privatization of electricity and telecommunications, pension reform and additional financial system reforms. During the first half of the 1990s, El Salvador saw the second highest growth rate in LA, partially due to increased demand for consumer durables and an increase in remittances from abroad; however, the growth slowed in 1995. The author states the only possibility of growth recovery is through the free trade agreement with the U.S. and the economic recovery of North America.
Region: El Salvador.
Condo, Arturo, Julio Sergio Ramirez and Luis Reyes. 2003. “Balance Competitivo de Costa Rica 2000-2003.” Centro Latinoamericano de Competitividad y Desarrollo Sostenible, INCAE. December. (S)
Summary: This document focuses on Costa Rica’s competitiveness as measured by the Growth Competitiveness Index and the Business Competitiveness Index. Foreign Direct Investment is identified as an important source of growth and that CAFTA could benefit the country by attracting more investment funds. However, the agreement also makes it more important for the country to ensure its competitiveness as other Central American countries will also become relatively more attractive. The document also describes the recent growth experienced by the country, by sector and in comparison with other countries. Human development indicators and statistics are listed, as are the many trade agreements in which Costa Rica has entered recently, all of which have caused the country to reduce many barriers to trade.
Region: Costa Rica.
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). 2000. “Unlocking the Economic Potential of Rural El Salvador.” Regional Operations Department II. Working Document. May. (S)
Summary: The paper reviews the structure of El Salvador’s rural economy and offers four main themes for revitalizing rural economic growth. These themes are: (1) a foundation for improved competitiveness, (2) factor mobility, (3) human and natural resources, and (4) local institutions. The report includes discussion of agriculture and non-agricultural rural activities. Highlights the need for the development of both non-traditional agricultural production and non-agricultural activities such as communications, manufacturing and tourism for strong rural growth.
Region: El Salvador
Larrain, Felipe. 2004. “Guatemala: Los Desafíos del Crecimiento.” Serie de Estudios Economic and Sector Studies, Inter-American Development Bank, Region II.(S)
Summary: The paper presents a growth decomposition that finds the decline in openness (external trade as a percent of GDP) explains part of the recent decline in Guatemala’s growth rate. The decline in openness is attributed to a decline in competitiveness in trade with the United States, owing to the appreciation of the quetzal from inflows of dollar remittances. However, it is noted that most of Guatemala’s trade takes place with other Latin American countries. The findings also point out Guatemala’s export diversity and that trade liberalization has reduced the prevalence of primary product exports. The conclusions suggest the country continue its trade reforms and that export processing zones be maintained to sustain inward investment flows.
Region: Guatemala
Narayanan, Sudha and Ashok Gulati. 2002. “Globalization and the Smallholders: a Review of Issues, Approaches, and Implications.” MSSD Discussion Paper No. 50. Markets and Structural Studies Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, and the World Bank, Rural Development Department. November.
Summary: This paper surveys recent research that evaluates the effect of globalization on “smallholders.” The paper reviews the factors that impact smallholders, the methodology that has been used to study the impacts, highlights the conclusions that are made from the current research and discusses policy options. The document highlights the main issues concerning trade liberalization and small-scale producers, especially the rural poor, providing a summary table of the many studies that examine the effects of globalization on smallholders worldwide. The main issues concerning smallholders in the process of globalization are listed as: credit, assets, markets, information, infrastructure, human capital, inputs, legislation, insurance and technology. Suggests that current research is limited to either trade liberalization or broad issues of globalization, but that a combination of the two approaches could enrich the research.
Region: Global.
Rodríguez-Clare, Andrés, Manrique Saenz and Alberto Trejos. 2003. “Análisis de Crecimiento Económico en Costa Rica.” Economic and Sector Studies, Inter-American Development Bank, Region II. (S)
Summary: A growth decomposition study of the factors contributing to growth in Costa Rica. The analysis focuses on growth per worker and GDP growth in different sectors. An econometric analysis of GDP growth is performed using the VAR model.
Region: Costa Rica.
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