The greatest challenge facing countries in Latin America is to improve their positions in intensely competitive world markets. International competitiveness is a crucial factor for economic and social recovery and for improving the standard of living. The chances of success depend critically on the relationship between government and the private sector. This book questions whether the mix of policies currently pursued in the selected countries will suffice to bring about the required structural transformation. What is needed is not just less government but better government that is capable of correcting markets in an effective and efficient way and that creates a stimulating environment for domestic industry. This book analyses the contributions governments in small and medium-sized countries in the region can make to the strengthening of the international competitiveness and export-orientation of the manufacturing sectors. Theoretical, cross-country and country-specific studies in this volume analyse the progress made recently to correct policy failures of the past, the obstacles and bottlenecks that have occurred in the process of economic transition and the challenges ahead for the selected countries.

Latin America's New Insertion in the World Economy examines the contributions governments can make in order to stimulate efficient and export-orientated manufacturing production in small and medium-sized economies in Latin America in the coming years. The study focuses on the progress that has been made recently to correct policy failures of the past, the obstacles and bottlenecks that have occurred in the process of economic transition and the challenges the selected countries face in order to stimulate in a systematic way the development of an internationally competitive manufacturing sector.