Alicia Bárcena expressed that integration in a mechanism such as the Celac can help to tackle problems such as inequality. EFE

• The GDP growth in the area rose from 5.9% in 2010 to 4.3% in 2011

Urges the economies of the region to devise strategies to promote productivity, social inclusion and integrationist processes

Havana, CUBA (FEB/06/2012)-the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) today expressed here his alarm to the slowdown of growth and insufficient volume of investment in the region.  

The Executive Secretary of ECLAC, Alicia Bárcena, explained this Monday at the Conference that the growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Latin American and Caribbean Nations rose from 5.9% in 2010 to 4.3 in 2011, and is expected to be 3.7 in 2012.  

Called to the economies of the region to devise strategies to promote productivity, social inclusion and integrationist processes, as well as to develop productive dynamics that close internal and external gaps.  

Before students and professors from the University of Havana, as well as specialists, he explained that exports increased by 23% in 2011 was motivated primarily by an increase in prices, to the detriment of the volume.  

In analysing the international economic scenario, Mexican Economist felt that it declining looming a decade lost in Europe, given the preponderance of structural adjustment on the growth policies.  

In its discretion, United States and the European Union (EU) have lost weight on Latin American trade over the last three decades, and China could move to EU as a second partner in the region by 2015.  

The Executive Secretary of ECLAC considered that the newly created community of Latin American countries and Caribbean (Celac) is “the great alternative” to regional integration and one of the “most important” events that have arisen in recent times in the region.  

Bárcena, integration into a mechanism such as the Celac can contribute to tackle problems such as inequality, falling investment, low productivity and rate of taxation.