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<p><b>Inter-american agreements</b><br>
<b>A</b> second stage in the American unifying process was characterized by
the constitution of <b>"sub-regional common markets"</b>, such as the
<b>Pacto Andino</b> (Andean Pact), the <b>Comunidad del Caribe</b> (<b>CARICOM</b>,
Caribbean Community) and the <b>Mercado Común Centroamericano</b> (<b>MCCA</b>,
<b>Central American Common Market</b>). Unlike the <b>ALALC</b>, these markets
achieved an actual customs union, which also benefited from the similarity
of economic and political backgrounds prevailing in the countries involved.<br>
<img width=15 height=19 vspace=0 hspace=0 border=0 align=BASELINE src="../../iconos/b88p.gif">In
<b>1980</b>, the creation of <b>ALADI</b> <b>(Asociación Interamericana
de Integración, Inter-American Association of Integration)</b> came
to replace the <b>ALALC</b>. With this new organization there was a possibility
to negotiate <b>multi-lateral trade treaties</b> based on <b>bi-lateral agreements</b>.
The countries integrating ALADI were the same to take part in the former ALALc.<br>
<br>
<b>The formation of mercosur</b><br>
<p> In <b>1990</b>, with an agreement between <b>Argentina and Brazil</b>, a
new stage for integration began. Later on, <b>Paraguay</b> and <b>Uruguay</b>
entered into this bi-lateral pact. The four countries made up the <b>Mercado
Común del Sur</b>:
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<a href="../../economia/textoingles.html#mercosur" target=_blank><b>MERCOSUR</b></a>
( <b>Southern Common Market)</b>, signed in <b>1991</b>. On that occasion,
it was decided that the possibility for the inclusion of <b>Chile and Bolivi</b>a
would remain open; as well as the removal of customs taxes, the setting of
a <b>common tariff</b> and also the coordination of <b>macro-economic policies</b>.<br>
<img width=15 height=19 vspace=0 hspace=0 border=0 align=BASELINE src="../../iconos/b88p.gif">In
a new gathering held in <b>1994</b>, <b>BANASUR</b> <b>(Bancos Nacionales
del Sur, Southern National Banks)</b> was established, constituting a <b>unified
banking network</b> aiming at opening new credit lines, enlarging foreign
trade and capital flow and also participating in the combined assistance to
the financial operations of industrial, commercial or investment projects.
This new bloc represented by Mercosur also aims at initiating a relationship
with other similar organizations such as the <b>MCCA</b>, <b>Pacto Andino</b>
and <b>CARICOM</b>. Once these goals are achieved, the next objective is the
co-ordination with the <b>NAFTA</b> (<b>North American Free Trade Agreement</b>),
which links Canada, United States and Mexico.<br>
<img width=15 height=19 vspace=0 hspace=0 border=0 align=BASELINE src="../../iconos/b88p.gif">It
seems clear that there is an integrating trend at a continental level. In
the 1994 summit conference there were plans towards the formation of a common
market comprising the whole continent, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. <br>
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