Joseph Ramos

Policy Directions for the New Economic Model in Latin America

Abstract The new economic model (NEM) has been extremely successful in reducing inflation and in increasing exports, but quite disappointing in terms of the growth of output and productivity. It is argued that this calls for a “second generation” of reforms, especially centered at the plant level and its surrounding factor markets, to close the huge productivity gap separating firms from best practice and so enable the accelerated growth rates typical of successful “late starters.” Policies should emphasize the systematic identification of those technologies and practices best suited to local conditions and their rapid transfer, adaptation and diffusion throughout the economy.

El Tratado de Libre Comercio entre Chile y Estados Unidos

El 6 de junio del 2003 Chile y Estados Unidos firmaron un Tratado que liberaliza plenamente el comercio de bienes y establece amplios compromisos en otras materias. Este logro no es aislado y debe considerarse como la consagracion de una politica chilena basada en el libre comercio y su solidez institucional. Se analizan algunas consideraciones teoricas respecto a los beneficios de la apertura con aplicaciones a Chile. Algunos comentarios respecto de ciertos capitulos del Acuerdo cierran el articulo.