## Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere Hemisphere Department

_Western Hemisphere, April 24, 2014_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere Hemisphere Department](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/wh/issues/2017/01/07/rising-challenges)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/reo/wh/issues/2017/01/07/rising-challenges/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/reo/wh/issues/2017/01/07/rising-challenges/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/reo/wh/issues/2017/01/07/rising-challenges/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: April 24, 2014
- Series: Western Hemisphere

---

### Key findings and outlook
- Growth across Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to remain subdued at 2½ percent in 2014.
- The firming recovery in the advanced economies will support export activity.
- Positive impulses from advanced-economy recovery are likely to be offset in many countries by:
  - the impact of lower commodity prices,
  - tighter external financing conditions,
  - domestic supply bottlenecks.

### Downside risks
- Renewed volatility in financial markets.
- A sharper-than-expected decline in commodity prices.

### Policy implications and recommendations
- Preserve credible policy frameworks and ensure sufficient buffers to cope with adverse shocks.
- Fiscal policy: a neutral to tighter stance will be appropriate in most countries.
- External volatility defenses:
  - Exchange rate flexibility.
  - Proactive supervision of the financial system.
- To boost medium-term growth prospects:
  - Raise infrastructure investment.
  - Improve educational outcomes.
  - Enhance the business environment.

### Publication note
- April 2014

*Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere — April 2014.*

---

## Content in this bundle

- **Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere - Rising Challenges; April 2014**
  - [Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere - Rising Challenges; April 2014 (Markdown version)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-flagship-issues/external/pubs/ft/reo/2014/whd/eng/pdf/_wreo0414pdf.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere - Rising Challenges; April 2014 (PDF)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-flagship-issues/external/pubs/ft/reo/2014/whd/eng/pdf/_wreo0414pdf.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

---

## References

- [Survey Story](https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2014/CAR042414B.htm)
- [Western Hemisphere: Regional Economic Outlooks Archive](https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/reo/reorepts.aspx?ddlRegions=12&ddlYear=-1)
- [Regional Economic Outlooks](https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/reo/reorepts.aspx)
- [IMF Regional Reports](https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/region.asp)
- [World Economic Outlook Archives](https://www.imf.org/external/ns/cs.aspx?id=29)
- [Subscribe](https://www.imf.org/external/RSS/feeds.aspx?Category=PUBS_GF)
- [Sign up to receive free e-mail notices when new series and/or country items are posted on the IMF website.](https://www.imf.org/en/email-subscription/index)
- [Modify your profile](https://www.imf.org/en/email-subscription/login)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/wh/issues/2017/01/07/rising-challenges_