The «Switzerland - Latin America Economic Relations Report 2019» analyses the current economic situation in Latin America as well as the region’s economic relations with Switzerland with a special focus on trade and investment. It also outlines the institutional framework of Swiss-Latin American economic relations, presents the Swiss engagement in the Peruvian water sector, major economic aspects of the Venezuelan crisis and recent official visits.
Latin America remained on a growth path in 2018, with an average GDP growth rate of 1.1 percent and a 9.9 percent increase in merchandise exports. Swiss exports of goods to the region rose by 7 percent and Swiss imports by 1 percent.
During 2018, Switzerland and Latin America witnessed further progress in their economic relations. A free trade agreement was signed between the EFTA countries and Ecuador and free trade negotiations with Mercosur moved ahead.
Each year, the report features a special thematic chapter. In this edition, a synthesis is drawn for Latin America of the World Bank‘s Doing Business project presenting its aim, indicators and methodology as well as key results for Latin America. Moreover, reforms and improvements in doing business are compared with other regions of the world. The relationship between the Doing Business rankings and the attractiveness for foreign investment is also reviewed drawing on existing research.
Overall, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia register the highest rankings. They are all members of the Pacific Alliance and have significantly opened their economies based on a large network of free trade agreements with key partners including the United States, the European Union and the EFTA countries.
Schweizerisches Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO), Ressort Amerika | 29.03.2019
Please find the report by following this link.