Colombia and Venezuela: Trade Policy Reforms and Institutional Adjustments

Abstract

Colombia and Venezuela, the two largest countries in the Andean Community of Nations (ACN), have pursued trade liberalization and reform unilaterally, regionally and multilaterally. Both countries have shown their commitment to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and practices by introducing changes to their trade practices in response to the Uruguay Round Agreements (URAs). These modifications have implied challenges in many areas, especially in the common trade policy framework they share as the most active members of the ACN. In this sense, Colombia and Venezuela trade relations exhibit some particular characteristics within Latin America that have led to quite positive trade results and a considerable degree of private sector support.

Pilar Esguerra made helpful comments to a previous draft. Sandra Zuluaga significantly assisted in writing the section of the chapter entitled ‘The trade and integration agenda.’