Opportunities for Boosting: Output, Employment and Value Chains: Economic Report on Central America, Mexico, Panama and the Dominican Republic

The current economic climate of the region is characterized by the growth that is expected to be lower than the historical average and by rising food insecurity. This adverse environment for households underscores the urgent need to focus on initiatives aimed at boosting household incomes in the countries of the region by revitalizing output and employment. With a view to identifying strategies for raising output, Chapter 2 highlights those sectors where the capacity to boost national output and employment through the latters demand for goods and services from other sectors of the economy is particularly significant. Chapter 3 examines local participation in global value chains and discusses a number of strategies aimed at promoting them. Lastly, Chapter 4 discusses a number of strategies and sectors that could help bring about greater trade diversification in the region.