In the latest edition of "A Coffee with an International Trade Expert," Angélica Herrera talks with Javiera Arteaga, a leading Chilean economist currently working at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Javiera shares her expertise on e-commerce in the region, offering in-depth insight and practical tools for entrepreneurs and decision makers.

Introduction and Logistical Adjustments

Angélica Herrera begins the program by thanking the participating entrepreneurs and mentioning a slight adjustment in the transmission time due to logistical issues. She assures that the edition will offer interesting figures and valuable tools.

Presentation by Javiera Arteaga

Javiera Arteaga, a Chilean economist working at ECLAC, joins the conversation from Mexico. Javiera has extensive experience in public policy and foreign relations, having worked on the negotiation of free trade agreements for Chile.

E-Commerce Trends in Latin America

Javiera presents the current trends in e-commerce in the region. Although there was a slowdown in growth in 2023, experts believe that e-commerce is still in its infancy and will continue to grow.

E-Commerce Figures

In 2022, e-commerce sales in Latin America grew by 39%, while in 2023 growth was 27%. The pandemic significantly boosted e-commerce, although the pace of growth has moderated.

E-Commerce Penetration by Country

Javiera highlights significant differences between countries in terms of penetration and per capita spending on e-commerce. Chile and Brazil have high penetration and spending, while other countries show lower levels of development.

Trust and Means of Payment

Trust is crucial for e-commerce. Javiera stresses the importance of reliable payment methods and a robust infrastructure to foster the growth of e-commerce, especially for high-value purchases.

Local vs. Crossborder E-Commerce

The share of local e-commerce varies from country to country. In countries with developed e-commerce, there is less need to resort to international platforms. In others, crossborder commerce is an important alternative.

Development Opportunities

Javiera identifies opportunities to strengthen e-commerce in less developed countries. This includes improving public policies, increasing trust and fostering the adoption of digital technologies among entrepreneurs.

Latin American and Caribbean Marketplace Explorer tool (LMI)

The LMI is a tool developed by ECLAC to analyze traffic and transactions on e-commerce platforms. It provides key indicators and detailed analysis to support decision making.

Conclusions and Future of E-Commerce

Javiera concludes that e-commerce in Latin America has great growth potential. Regional collaboration and the development of reliable infrastructures are essential to take advantage of the opportunities offered by e-commerce.

The interview with Javiera Arteaga provides a comprehensive overview of the current and future state of e-commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean, offering key tools and strategies for entrepreneurs and decision makers in the region.