In 2006, the UNCTAD TrainForTrade Programme and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to secure collaboration on a capacity development project in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) joined the cooperation in 2008.

 

The project aims to further develop and strengthen human resources and institutional capacities involved in international commerce, trade related services and investment in Latin America and the Caribbean. This is done by:

• Legal Aspects of Electronic Commerce
• Regional Workshop on Cyber Legislation
• Training of Trainers Workshop - Modern Port Management
• Technical Tutor Training for Distance Learning
• Negotiators of International Investment Agreements

 

Several technical assistance missions were carried out in the following areas: Sustainable Tourism, Port Development, Investment and Trade Development.

 

Training and development activities

The TrainForTrade Programme organises distance learning courses, face-to-face training courses and regional workshops. Training material is constantly updated and adapted to the requirements of countries and organisations.

 

Technical assistance activities

The project carries out assistance and support for the identifying of needs for capacity building, policy development, the establishment of networks for sharing knowledge and information, and the dissemination and publication of research and reports.

 

Two studies on cyber-legislation have been published:

 

Study on Prospects for Latin America in Harmonizing Cyber-legislation (UNCTAD/DTL/STICT/2009/1 - 01/05/10)

 

Study on Prospects for Harmonizing Cyber-legislation in Central America and the Caribbean (UNCTAD/DTL/STICT/2009/3)

 

Budget and financial contribution

The Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade (MITC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain are financing the above-mentioned activities, except for the Port Training Component, which is financed by the contribution of the Port Authorities of Gijon and Valencia.

 

The total contribution from 2006 to December 2011 amounts to USD 1,050,000. Countries in the region also provide in-kind contributions to the development of activities.

 

Beneficiary countries:

Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia

Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador

Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama

Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela