## Trade Integration in Latin America: A Network Perspective

_IMF Working Papers, June 30, 2017_

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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Kimberly Beaton, Aliona Cebotari, Xiaodan Ding, Andras Komaromi
- Published: June 30, 2017
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484303665.001

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### Overview and objective
- Applies a network analysis framework to analyze the regional and global integration of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries.
- Compares network-based measures of trade integration to conventional measures.
- Decomposes integration along several dimensions to understand sources of trade connectivity and their impact on growth.

### Key findings
- LAC countries are relatively well integrated in terms of links to diversified markets.
- The strength of those links is weak.
- Comparing trade integration to predictions from gravity models indicates many LAC countries have significant scope to improve connectivity and increase their roles in regional and world trade networks.

### Methodology and analytic focus
- Uses network-based measures of trade integration alongside conventional measures.
- Decomposes integration into multiple dimensions to identify the sources of trade connectivity.
- Compares observed trade integration to gravity model predictions to assess underperformance and potential connectivity gains.

### Implications and interpretation
- Diversification of market links is a strength for LAC, but weak link strengths may limit trade benefits.
- Gravity-model comparisons suggest potential for policy and structural changes that could raise connectivity and trade network roles for many LAC countries.
- Analysis links trade connectivity measures to potential impacts on growth.

### Publication and metadata
- Title: Trade Integration in Latin America: A Network Perspective
- Authors: Kimberly Beaton, Aliona Cebotari, Xiaodan Ding, Andras Komaromi
- Publication date: June 30, 2017
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- Working Paper No.: 2017/148
- Issue: 148
- Volume: 2017
- Pages: 33
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484303665.001
- Stock No.: WPIEA2017148
- ISBN: 9781484303665
- ISSN: 1018-5941

*Source: IMF Working Paper "Trade Integration in Latin America: A Network Perspective" (June 30, 2017).*

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- **Trade Integration in Latin America: A Network Perspective, WP/17/148, June 2017**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2017/06/29/trade-integration-in-latin-america-44971_