Economic integration of poor countries: Obstacles and prospects

Abstract

This paper examines the principal factors affecting the growth of intra‐group trade for four Latin American and Caribbean economic groups. Its findings suggest that the share of a group member's leading export sold within the group is an important determinant of intra‐group trade. For member countries that depend heavily on extra‐group markets, intra‐group trade is indirectly affected by the impact of extra‐group trade on gross domestic product.

Citation

Palmer, R.W. and Richards Elliott, D. (2003), "Economic integration of poor countries: Obstacles and prospects", International Journal of Development Issues, Vol. 2 No. 2, pp. 59-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb045834