This background paper assesses the actions of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB, or Bank) related to private sector development (PSD) that were mandated under the Ninth General Capital Increase in Resources (IDB-9). It finds that Management has taken the necessary formal steps to address...

This paper discusses how MNCs reacted to NAFTA and MERCOSUR in terms of their investment and operations patterns in three sectors - automotive, electronics, and apparel - and assesses the likely impact of the upcoming Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA). It shows that NAFTA functioned -...

Founded in 1952, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) is a financial entity fully owned by the Brazilian government. It is in the process of redefining its priorities and its role going forward. New operational policies (OPs) published on January 5, 2017, mark an...

Brazil's trade and industrial policies in the last decade has taken an increasingly sharp turn towards boosting and protecting the local manufacturing industry, particular after the 2008 financial crisis. This paper reviews these policies and their initial results and argues that, while they...

Most developing economies rely on foreign capital to finance their infrastructure needs. These projects are usually structured as long-term (25-35 year) franchises that pay in local currency. If investors evaluate their returns in terms of foreign currency, exchange rate volatility introduces...

Most developing economies rely on foreign capital to finance their infrastructure needs. These projects are usually structured as long-term (25-35 years) franchises that pay in local currency. If investors evaluate their returns in terms of foreign currency, exchange rate volatility introduces...

Most developing economies rely on foreign capital to finance their infrastructure needs. These projects are usually structured as long-term (25-35 years) franchises that pay in local currency. If investors evaluate their returns in terms of foreign currency, exchange rate volatility introduces...