TRADE POLICY REVIEW

REPORT BY

Nicaragua

Revision

Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by Nicaragua is attached.

Contents

1   INTRODUCTION.. 4

2   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT. 4

2.1   Economic Growth and Employment 4

2.2   Inflation and Prices. 5

2.3   Fiscal Sector 5

2.4   Public Debt 5

2.5   Social Integration. 6

3   TRADE POLICY. 6

3.1   Quotas. 8

3.2   Export Promotion. 8

3.3   Trade Agreements. 9

3.3.1   Multilateral Trading System.. 9

3.3.2   Central American Integration. 9

3.3.3   Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) 10

3.3.4   Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) the Peoples' Trade Agreement (ALBA TCP) 10

3.3.5   Mexico. 10

3.3.6   Dominican Republic. 11

3.3.7   United States. 11

3.3.8   Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei) 11

3.3.9   Chile. 11

3.3.10   European Union. 11

3.3.11   Cuba. 12

3.3.12   Ecuador 12

3.3.13   South Korea. 12

3.4   Foreign Direct Investment 12

3.5   Trade Facilitation. 13

3.6   Technical Standards. 14

3.7   Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. 15

3.8   Intellectual Property. 15

3.9   Competition and Consumer Protection Policies. 16

4   SECTORAL POLICIES AND ECONOMIC OUTLOOK. 16

4.1   Agriculture and Livestock. 16

4.2   Agro‑industry and Forestry. 16

4.3   Industry. 17

4.4   Fishing and Aquaculture. 17

4.5   Energy. 18

4.6   Tourism.. 18

4.7   Mining. 19

4.8   Financial Services. 19

4.9   Telecommunications. 20

5   ConclusiOn.. 20

6   APPENDIX TABLES. 22