"Latin America & The Caribbean: Economic Research & Views"

Latin America and the Caribbean: Year in Review 2021

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Following a difficult 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean has seen a return to growth this year. Although the region still has a long way to go in terms of its vaccine rollout, the pandemic has prompted a range of changes that will impact positively on the region in the medium to long term, among them increased digitalisation and a redoubled focus on sustainability.

How will the China-CELAC agreement boost infrastructure in Latin America?

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A number of Latin American and Caribbean countries have strengthened their ties with China after signing a wide-ranging economic and political agreement. In December the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), a bloc of 33 countries that includes regional heavyweights such as Argentina, Colombia and Mexico, signed the China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas 2022-24.

Emerging Market Trends 2021: Digital Transformation

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The onset of the pandemic in 2020 gave rise to global acceleration in the uptake of digital platforms and services. This surge was consolidated in 2021, as it became clear – in emerging and developed economies alike – that digital is the new normal. While in some ways 2020 was reactive, with governments and businesses scrambling to implement digital approaches, 2021 was proactive, as those approaches were streamlined and synthesised.

David Geisen, Country Lead, Mercado Libre México

On the evolution of e-commerce during the pandemic and prospects for sustainable growth

Creative disruption: How CEOs expect Covid-19 to reshape business in the region

While Latin America as a whole has struggled to extend the growth and productivity gains it made in the early 2010s, it still remains an appealing and dynamic region to do business. However, the onset of Covid-19 in early 2020 added another layer of complexity to ongoing efforts to improve business environments, from Baja California to Buenos Aires.

Why are remittances to emerging markets growing?

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As emerging markets around the world continue their recovery from Covid-19, remittances are playing a key role in supporting the economic rebound. In mid-May the World Bank upgraded its forecast for remittances to low- and middle-income countries for 2021, predicting flows of $553bn over the course of the year, reflecting a growth rate of 2.6%.

How is Covid-19 accelerating structural changes across Latin American economies?

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One of the last regions in the world to be affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, Latin America's reported Covid-19 case and death numbers have grown steadily since late February. However, given the importance of the region's economies to global value chains, the need to ensure the continual operation of key services and industries has led to a number of key measures being implemented in a number of countries.

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