Driving growth through regional and international trade
We understand integration and trade as essential pillars for the development of Latin America and the Caribbean. We seek an increasingly integrated and economically active region, capable of achieving economic and social development that is sustainable and inclusive. Through technical and financial support, we strengthen both the regulatory framework or "software", and the infrastructure or "hardware" of integration throughout the region.
We implement projects that promote regional cooperation; from the creation of border infrastructure to the management of regional public goods and the negotiation of treaties. We create knowledge from research and business statistics. We analyze and recommend public policies on export promotion, investment attraction, and trade opening and facilitation. We also develop skills in the public sector, support the private sector by accompanying SMEs that wish to export and join global value chains, and we facilitate networks and events that seek exchange between entrepreneurs and public officials.
INTAL was created in 1965 thanks to decisive support from the countries in the region, which gave it the difficult mission of articulating the integration effort for Latin America and the Caribbean. At that time, discussions in the region were taking place in an international context marked by the Cold War, the difficulty of consolidating democratic regimes, the beginnings of social upheaval, and a trade system that was seeking to pave a way forward by means of new institutions and rules of play.
INTAL is part of the IDB’s Integration and Trade Sector. Its mission is to support integration processes in Latin America and the Caribbean, through knowledge, digital integration spaces and support for economic, political, and digital integration initiatives.
We help the region’s companies become export-ready by offering training, trade financing, and business networking opportunities.
We help the region's governments work together to better manage their shared borders and customs procedures.
We promote and support trade and investment agreements, both regionally and internationally.
We conduct actionable research that advances the region’s competitiveness and participation in international supply chains.
We provide training and capacity building for government officials on trade facilitation to improve efficiency and lower costs.
The recent Korea-LAC Business Summit in Mexico City marked a significant milestone in fostering collaboration between Korea and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in the areas of innovation and trade. For the first time hosted in a LAC country, the event attracted a diverse range of attendees and investors, emphasizing its role in promoting regional integration. A key feature was the Korea-LAC Startup Pitch Day, aimed at connecting entrepreneurs and investors to bridge funding and global connectivity gaps. The summit's agenda covered key subjects such as the impact of emerging technologies on international trade, sustainable mobility, and cross-regional investments. Amid global challenges like energy crises and rapid digital shifts, the event highlighted the potential for collaborative efforts in food security, supply chains, and digital transformation to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.
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