CAF and IESA join forces to create department of integration and international trade studies

(Caracas, October 21, 1998).– To contribute to the complex activities required by the ongoing world integration processes, CAF granted a non-reimbursable technical cooperation grant for US$75,000 to the Institute of Advanced Administration Studies (IESA), with the ultimate objective of establishing a Department of Integration and International Trade studies with emphasis on the private sector.

The funds – the first of a total of US$150,000 which CAF will grant to this important academic institution – will be used to finance the first stage of a program of professional strengthening on this area, which is receiving growing attention on the agenda of all countries seeking competitive participation in the global economy.

The agreement was signed today by IESA President Ramón Piñango and CAF President & CEO Enrique García who said the operation was identified with the mission of the institution he heads, which is to support regional integration processes.

He added that the specific objective of the operation was to develop and strengthen a broad-based academic team in IESA to carry out research and teaching, with a view to laying the base for a permanent department of integration and international trade in this study center.

"The initiative of focusing teaching and dissemination activities on the private sector – García said – is because this is a serious deficiency in our countries because the business sector is a leading actor in the integration process. We need to set up wide-ranging research projects so that professionals understand and assimilate the effects of this process on industrial sectors, companies and movement of the market. In other words, it is about unifying academic reflections to practical experience to become more competitive."

In IESA the idea exists of expanding and deepening coverage of the integration and international trade area in the various types of teaching programs offered at present, as well as promoting events for the mass dissemination of opportunities, challenges and transformations which our countries are facing with all the integration agreements in operation or under negotiation.

It is also planned to start a search for one or two additional teacher-researchers to increase the staff of academics working in this area; set up a network of Latin American experts on the area as possible collaborators with the future department and enrich the formation of the existing teacher researchers in IESA.