Abstract:
This paper discusses challenges and opportunities for the Valle del Cauca department and the Colombian Pacific Region with regards to its incidence in the Asia–Pacific basin. The aim of the author is three-fold: firstly, to briefly analyse the trade and economic context of the interactions between Asia- Pacific region and Latin America, placing a special emphasis on Colombia and the other three countries members of the Pacific Alliance; second, to explain the opportunities and the challenges that the Valle del Cauca department and the Colombian Pacific Region face following the formation of the Pacific Alliance trading block; and third, to inquire into the topics of productivity and competitiveness in the Valle del Cauca department and its business environment. The author argues that, when compared to the other members of the Pacific Alliance countries, Colombia is far behind in its process of integration with the Asia Pacific basin and calls for the need of applying more widely a subnational approach in order to better understand the dynamics of the interactions between Latin American regions and the Asia-Pacific.

Resumen:
El objetivo general del texto es brindar una aproximación a los retos y las oportunidades que representa, para el Valle del Cauca y la Región Pacífica colombiana, la inserción al Asia-Pacífico. Para lo cual se plantean tres objetivos específicos: primero, analizar someramente el contexto económico comercial del Asia-Pacífico y América Latina, con especial énfasis en Colombia y los demás países de la Alianza del Pacífico (AP); segundo, estudiar las oportunidades y los retos para el Valle del Cauca y la Región Pacífica colombiana que plantea la puesta en escena del bloque comercial denominado Alianza del Pacífico; y tercero, indagar sobre los retos de competitividad y productividad que enfrenta el Valle del Cauca y que afectan el ambiente de negocios. El documento concluye que Colombia se encuentra rezagada en su inserción con la cuenca del Asia-Pacífico; también se plantea la necesidad de
abordar el tema de estudio desde un enfoque sub-nacional.

Author: Ricardo Coutin
Spanish Title: La inserción al Asia-Pacífico, oportunidades y desafíos para el Valle del Cauca y la región pacífica colombiana
Full document:2014, Coutin, La Inserción al Asia-Pacífico, Oportunidades y Desafíos para el Valle del Cauca y la Región Pacífica Colombiana

Abstract:
This paper takes a look at the foreign policy agenda of Chile in the context of the government action plan of candidates in 2009 and 2013. In broad terms, the agenda of this sector has been characterized by a high level of stability. However, with the right coming to power in 2010, certain issues in the agenda took precedence over others. It was in this context that Chile entered the Pacific Alliance. Until then, the change from one administration to another had not affected the balance between the core components of foreign policy. All in all, Chile’s involvement in this integration initiative was not a part of the government action plan of the right or the center-left. That is to say, it was not an alternative promoted by a public political community, as would follow from J.Kingdon’s agenda-setting theory (1995). The profile of the Pacific Alliance and the reaction caused by the country’s involvement with it in the political arena give credibility to the hypothesis that the change in the ruling faction generated a “polical window” for the country to join this initiative. All in all, as we conclude, Michelle Bachelet’s government action plan in 2013 was not aligned with Latin Americanist currents, but rather aimed at repositioning the axes of the foreign policy agenda that was in place before the Piñera administration.

Resumen:
En este artículo se examina la agenda de la política exterior chilena a la luz de los programas de gobierno de las candidaturas presidenciales en 2009 y 2013. En términos generales, la agenda de este sector se ha caracterizado por un alto nivel de estabilidad. No obstante, con la llegada de la derecha al poder en 2010 adquirieron prominencia algunos asuntos de la agenda por sobre otros. En ese contexto se produjo el ingreso de Chile a la Alianza del Pacífico. Hasta ese punto, los cambios de gobierno
no habían afectado el equilibrio entre los componentes centrales de la política exterior. Con todo, la participación de Chile en esa instancia de integración no formaba parte de los programas de gobierno ni de la derecha ni de la centro izquierda. Es decir, no constituía una alternativa que fuese promovida por una comunidad de política pública, como se sigue de la teoría de formación de la agenda de J. Kingdon (1995). Ahora bien, el perfil de la Alianza del Pacífico y la reacción que generó en el ambiente político la entrada a la misma proveen de plausibilidad a la hipótesis de que el cambio de coalición gobernante generó una “ventana política” para que el país se sumara a la iniciativa señalada. Con todo, como se concluye, el programa de gobierno de Michelle Bachelet en 2013 no proponía un giro latinoamericanista, sino más bien una reposición de los ejes de la agenda de la política exterior precedente a la administración de Piñera.

Aurthors: Andrés Dockendorff, Miguel A. López
Spanish Title: La irrupción de la Alianza del Pacífico ¿Cambio en la agenda de la política exterior chilena?
Full document: 2014, Dockendorff & López, La Irrupción de la Alianza del Pacífico ¿Cambio en la Agenda de la Política Exterior Chilena?

Abstract:
The Pacific Alliance is an original integration mechanism adjusted to specific historical peculiarities of the region and of the founding states. It also shares some features with certain regionalism indications, especially with the open regionalism that characterized the 90s of the XX century. For this reason, The Pacific Alliance is presented as a renewed and updated regionalism, which is considered of deep integration. Economic internationalisation through the incorporation to new markets is one of the elements shared by the four founding states: Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Chile. These countries control more than half of the Latin American foreign trade. Nevertheless, by carefully analyzing this matter, it is possible to observe that countries such as Peru and Colombia are left behind with respect to Mexico and Chile, even when compared to other countries of the region. Commercial agreements –especially The Pacific Alliance– are presented as an important opportunity for the Colombian strategy to reach economic internationalization, but it is important to overcome the exporting isolation and dependence of the country in order to maximize its potential benefits. It was evidenced that Colombia is commercially left behind when compared to the other members of the Alliance, especially Mexico and Chile.

Resumen:
La Alianza del Pacífico se presenta como un mecanismo de integración regional novedoso, ajustado a ciertas particularidades históricas de la región y de los Estados fundadores. Pero también, como proceso de integración comparte características con ciertas formas del regionalismo, especialmente con el regionalismo abierto característico de los años 90 del siglo XX, por lo cual, la Alianza del Pacífico se presenta como un nuevo regionalismo renovado, actualizado y autodenominado de integración profunda. La internacionalización económica por medio de inserción a nuevos mercados, es uno de los elementos que comparten los cuatro Estados fundadores: México, Colombia, Perú y Chile. En su conjunto estos países acaparan más de la mitad del comercio exterior latinoamericano.
No obstante, analizando en detalle se observa que países como Perú y especialmente Colombia, se encuentran un poco rezagados en dicha materia con respecto a sus similares de México y Chile, incluso si se mira a otros países de la región. Los acuerdos comerciales y en especial la Alianza del Pacífico se presenta como una importante oportunidad en la estrategia colombiana de internacionalización económica, pero se debe superar el aun aislamiento y dependencia mono exportadora del país, con el fin de maximizar los beneficios potenciales que estos presentan, ya que se evidencia un importante rezago de Colombia en términos comerciales con respecto a los demás miembros de la alianza, especialmente frente a México y Chile.

Authors: Lisbeth Katherine Duarte Herrera, Carlos Hernán González Parías, Diego Alejandro Montoya Uribe
Spanish Title: Colombia de cara al nuevo regionalismo renovado: la Alianza del Pacífico
Full document:2014, Duarte et al, Colombia de Cara al Nuevo Regionalismo Renovado- la Alianza del Pacífico

Abstract:
The year 2013 brought much attention to the Pacific Alliance (Alianza del Pacífico), the most recent regional integration initiative in Latin America.
Building on the existing free trade agreements between them, the four members of the Alliance –Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru– have set the goal of advancing towards the free movement of goods, services, capitals and people, with the objective of creating an ‘area of deep integration’ to stimulate economic growth and competitiveness.
Since it was formally constituted in June 2012, the Pacific Alliance has come to be seen as the most promising and dynamic regional group in Latin America. Adopting a free market approach to regional integration, it is widely perceived as an alternative to the ‘stagnating’ and ‘increasingly protectionist’ Mercosur bloc. In this regard, the Pacific Alliance has led to hopes for a new momentum for regional integration and cooperation in Latin America, as well as to concerns about a possible fracture in the region. The EU, which has long-standing institutionalised links, liberalised trade and good relations with the members of the Pacific Alliance, has welcomed the Alliance as a promising initiative. The evolution of the Alliance could have direct or indirect consequences for the EU’s relations with other regional blocs in Latin America.

Institutional Author: European Parliament
Full document: 2014, EU PP, The Pacific Alliance- Regional Integration or Fragmentation?

Abstract:
These four countries along Latin America’s west coast have taken great strides in recent years, and they are poised to emerge as regional leaders. Like the animal, these Pacific Pumas are comfortable operating quietly, away from the spotlight. But their positive momentum is difficult to ignore.
United in the Pacific Alliance, the Pumas represent more than 200 million people with a US$2.22 trillion GDP; their combined global trade accounts for half of the Latin American total, while the depth and breadth of their free-trade agreements have positioned them to increase commerce with Europe, the US and Asia. This is the story of the advancement of Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile—the Pacific Pumas—and of the opportunities they have moving forward.
The first section considers the emergence of the Pumas individually. It begins with an overview of the four large Latin American countries that have matured economically and politically precisely as their region, the Pacific, has become a cauldron of global growth. The second chapter highlights the macroeconomic stability of the four, while the third considers their democratic maturation. The section concludes with a chapter on the Pumas’ embrace of globalization, suggesting their preparedness for a 21st century economy.
The second section analyzes the Pumas’ global opportunities. Through the Pacific Alliance, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and
Chile can leverage their individual success through a pact large enough to attract international attention. Chapter 5 debates the importance of the Alliance, while Chapter 6 considers its ramifications throughout Latin America. Chapter 7 examines the importance of the Pumas in greater trans-Atlantic relations, and Chapter 8 reviews the opportunities and challenges the Pumas face in dealing with China.
Together, the two sections outline a golden opportunity for the Pacific Pumas to achieve internal prosperity and stability, while emerging as regional leaders and strategic partners of the US, Europe, and East Asia.

Author: Samuel George
Full document: 2014, George, The Pacific Pumas- An Emerging Model for Emerging Markets

Abstract:
This paper seeks to answer why the Pacific Alliance (PA) has emerged as the latest integration initiative in the already wide spectrum of multilateral groups in Latin America. It does so by evaluating the political and economic considerations that motivated the PA’s formation, aiming to present informed arguments within the framework of trade and political developments in the region. This paper is based on both secondary and primary data (interviews), and it is divided into four parts plus conclusions. The paper starts by presenting a general characterization of the Alliance; afterwards, presents a historic and comparative overview of the integration processes in the region; assesses the current level of integration between the PA members; and, finally, offers insights into future developments in the following areas: transnational production chains, access to foreign markets and extra-regional (economic and political) outreach. The results of this study show how the public and private sector’s experience in international trade and international business has motivated the members of the Pacific Alliance to join forces to consolidate a platform for economic integration allowing them to increase market access, foster economic growth, and improve human development indicators in the region. From the political point of view, the paper concludes that the PA emerged as a liberal counterpart to the left-leaning integration initiatives that had been prevalent in the region during the preceding decade.
Continue reading

Abstract:
Not available

Resumen:
Este documento pretende presentar los elementos centrales de la discusión sobre los avances y desafíos de la Alianza del Pacífico previo al cambio de estafeta de la Presidencia Pro Témpore de Colombia a México, mismo que tendrá lugar durante la próxima IX Cumbre de la Alianza a celebrarse en junio de 2014 en Nayarit. En consecuencia, el documento se propone hacer un recorrido por los antecedentes de la Alianza del Pacífico, ubicarla dentro de los modelos de integración en América Latina, describir brevemente el proceso de su creación y desarrollo, caracterizar su estructura institucional y hacer aportaciones analíticas relevantes para entender los alcances del Acuerdo Marco, del Protocolo comercial y de los mecanismos de cooperación y diálogo emanados del proceso. Igualmente, busca examinar la visión prospectiva tanto de los países miembros como de los expertos sobre su desarrollo futuro, así como plantear algunas de las consideraciones más relevantes alrededor de
los países miembros y candidatos.

Institutional Author: Centro de Estudios Internacionales Gilberto Bosques del Senado de la República
Spanish Title: La Alianza del Pacífico  ¿El futuro de la integración latinoamericana?
Full document: 2014, La Alianza del Pacífico ¿El Futuro de la Integración?

Abstract:
Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia formed the Pacific Alliance as a trade block, which is expected to increase the flow of goods and services within their economies with the rest of the world, especially with Asia Pacific; likewise, geopolitically this new alliance hopes to become the most important partner in Latin America, in contrast to Mercosur or Brazil.
This article aims to present the genesis and objectives of the Pacific Alliance, among which are: raising income, boosting economies to overcome poverty, attracting foreign investment in higher volumes, improving regional technological development, and extending the internal market to overcome low levels of productivity, and achieve integration and market penetration of the most prosperous countries in Asia: China, India and Singapore.

Resumen:
México, Chile, Perú y Colombia constituyeron la Alianza Pacífico como un bloque comercial con el cual se espera acrecentar los flujos de bienes y servicios al interior de sus economías con el resto del mundo y en especial con Asia Pacífico, de igual manera, a nivel geopolítico la nueva alianza espera convertirse en el interlocutor más importante de América Latina, en contraposición al Mercosur o a Brasil. Este artículo pretende presentar el génesis y objetivos de la Alianza Pacífico entre los cuales se destacan: elevar el ingreso, dinamizar las economías para superar la pobreza, atraer inversión extranjera en mayores volúmenes, mejorar el desarrollo tecnológico regional y ampliar el mercado interior para superar los bajos índices de productividad, además de lograr integración y penetración al mercado de los países más prósperos del Asia: China, India y Singapur.

Author: Guillermo Alexander Arévalo Luna
Spanish Title: La Alianza Pacífico: Geopolítica e Integración Económica
Full document: 2014, La Alianza Pacífico- Geopolítica e Integración Económica