Unlike previous empirical studies that focus on barriers to entry in international trade, we focus on barriers to exit as measured by passport costs for a cross-section of countries. We test four common theories on the determinants of such exit barriers and find that macroeconomic and...

This paper was developed for the Regional Policy Dialogue on Trade and Integration Network in August of 2002. This paper is an in-depth discussion of how agriculture occupied a sideline position during the negotiations for the formation of the FTAA and WTO. Main topics in regards to the...

This study sheds light on how Costa Rica's insertion in global value chains occurs by examining governance patterns, the type of activities involved, and the level of underlying innovation in the selected value chain. The paper describes in detail two case studies of electronic-related companies...

Over the last 20 years, Mexico redefined the role of the state in its economy through an ambitious program to liberalize trade, promote efficiency and reduce the size and scope of the state-owned sector. In Mexico, privatization led to a significant improvement in firm performance, as...

Some key criteria in the optimal currency area literature are that countries should join a currency union if they have closer international trade links and more symmetric business cycles. However, both criteria are endogenous. Frankel and Rose (1998) find that trade intensity increases cycle...

Based on research in linguistics and psychology I use language speech as a reflection of acculturation. I use individual and city-level data from the Lake Ontario area in Canada and study the determinants of cultural assimilation. I focus on education, age, income, and in particular, on some...

Banks' market or 'trading' risks have increased noticeably over the past years, largely as a result of the growth of liquid assets on banks' balance sheets and the increase in banks' off-balance sheet activities. Well-publicized bank failures and significant capital losses have focussed further...

This presentation was presented in the 4th Hemispheric Meeting of the Trade and Integration Network of the Regional Policy Dialogue for the on September 17th and 18th, 2002. This brief presentation reflects on the links between the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Free Trade Area of the...

La Revista Integración & Comercio del BID incluye artículos referidos a las distintas manifestaciones del proceso de integración en América Latina y el Caribe, a la integración hemisférica y, también, a los procesos con igual orientación que se llevan a cabo en otras partes del mundo....

This issue is an editorial re-launch of the IDB's Integration & Trade Journal. This new stage in the Journal's development coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Bank. The introduction as written by IDB President Moreno outlines his own vision of how the IDB intends to confront the...