The Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) presented this Monday (11.04.2022/2021/XNUMX) the Economic and Development Report (RED) XNUMX under the title “Paths to Integration: Trade Facilitation, Infrastructure and Global Value Chains” which explains the main advances and challenges that the region faces to achieve a higher level of integration that boosts the productivity and well-being of countries.
The results of the study were presented at an event held at the Casa Rosada in the presence of representatives of CAF, government authorities and experts who enriched the findings of the study. The report presented by the organization highlights the importance of the progress made, but emphasizes the need to achieve better commercial integration in the region.
Christian Asinelli, Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming, who started the meeting: “Since its founding in 1970, CAF has had the mission of promoting regional integration. That is why we are very grateful for the trust placed in us by the 20 member countries to carry out the historic capitalization of USD 7.000 billion, which will allow us to double the loan portfolio by 2030 in initiatives that improve the quality of life of the population and the productive integration and regional value chains that are so needed at this time.”
After Asinelli's presentation, they spoke Gustavo Beliz, Secretary of Strategic Affairs of the Presidency of the Argentine Nation, Oscar Llamosas, Minister of Finance of Paraguay and Roberto Fendt, Special Secretary for Foreign Trade and International Affairs of Brazil, who are also members of the CAF Board of Directors.
“We are going through particularly challenging times, which represent a great opportunity for the region. The world will not be the same; we are experiencing a change of era triggered by environmental impact, the advance of disruptive technologies and the strong geopolitical shock caused by the war in Ukraine. In this context, the need for food and the creation of instances of sovereignty and food security are a great opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean, along with the new challenges of energy supply,” he said. Belize.
Moreover, Llamas He stressed: “I am pleased to once again accompany the bank in this presentation, the launch of which we have been discussing since 2021. As I pointed out at that time, this report is intrinsic to the existence of the bank, because it analyzes the integration between our countries. These unique times we are going through confirm the need to strengthen our regional integration. Crises must find us together and collaborating. It is clear that we have a long way to go and that allies such as CAF will be very important in achieving the objectives set.”
During your speech, Roberto Fendt, Special Secretary for Foreign Trade and International Affairs of Brazil, said: “Trade facilitation, the development of integration infrastructure, and the promotion of global value chains, as outlined in the CAF report, are more important today than ever in the current global scenario. We agree that this is an opportunity that we as a region cannot miss in favor of lower inflation and greater commercial and economic dynamics.”
The Secretary of International Economic Relations of Argentina, Cecilia Todesca BoccoHe added: “The region lacked a stable scientific and technological policy. We now face very interesting opportunities that we must jointly take advantage of to enhance the capabilities of each country.”
Adriana Arreaza, Knowledge Manager, CAF led a debate on The Integration of Latin America in the new global context of which they also participated Juan Gabriel Tokatlian, Vice-rector of Torcuato Di Tella University, Ana Basco, Director of INTAL-IDB, Eugenio Diaz Bonilla Former Executive Director for Argentina for the IDB and Carlos Mata Prates, Director General of the Area for Border, Limit and Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay.
Then Santiago Rojas, CAF Representative in Argentina moderated a debate on The challenges and opportunities of integration for Argentina, in which participated Cecilia Todesca Bocco, Secretary of International Economic Relations of Argentina, Juan Carlos Hallak University of Buenos Aires, Carolina Castroo Industrial entrepreneur, UIA and AFAC leader and Julieta Zelicovich, from the National University of Rosario.
Jorge Srur Regional Manager South, CAF and Leandro Gorgal, Undersecretary of International Financial Relations for Development in Argentina, concluded the meeting. “It is essential to merge global efforts with regional and national realities through global and local governance, which supports productive and commercial integration that generates sustainable jobs,” Srur concluded. (RED 2021: Pathways to integration: trade facilitation, infrastructure and global value chains)
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