Financial Integration in Central America Prospects and Adjustment Needs

We assess the current barriers to trade in financial services in the six Central American countries seeking a free trade agreement with the United States (the CAFTA) and examine the relative merits of regional and multilateral liberalization. Even though there are few formal barriers, deficiencies i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Canales Kriljenko, Jorge
Other Authors: Khandelwal, Padamja, Lehmann, Alexander
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Washington, D.C. International Monetary Fund 2003
Series:IMF Policy Discussion Papers
Subjects:
Online Access:
Collection: International Monetary Fund - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
Description
Summary:We assess the current barriers to trade in financial services in the six Central American countries seeking a free trade agreement with the United States (the CAFTA) and examine the relative merits of regional and multilateral liberalization. Even though there are few formal barriers, deficiencies in regulatory and competition standards and in the judicial systems still restrict the participation of foreign institutions in the financial systems in the region. A greater presence of such institutions could support other objectives of trade and investment liberalization, though it would require several adjustments in prudential supervision at national levels and greater cooperation between members of the CAFTA.
Physical Description:28 pages
ISBN:9781451974195