Each society has its own particular traditions and social and economic arrangements. Interaction and information sharing among firms of both sub-regions will be important factors of the networking which will be necessary. There is an urgent need for building relations and productive institutions between banks, firms, distributors and even governments in order to build confidence and break down barriers of preconceived suspicions. The challenge to the private sector is to take the bold initiative in this area by lobbying national governments to facilitate such initiatives. But governments must also recognise that no single actor can determine the dynamics and scope of our new enterprise.
Governments have important roles in the initial stages as well as in the supportive capacity.
Firstly, they will have to foster the development of markets. In the case of South America and the Caribbean, these markets are undeveloped or even non-existent. Secondly, in the situation where the market does not function, governments will be expected to provide the political environment as a basis for business interaction. Thirdly, governments would be required in this new era of relationships to facilitate through sustained consultation, the activities of the private sector within the market. If the Caribbean and South America are to become integrated trade communities, this must be the result of a joint initiative between governments and the private sector carried out in an environment of mutual confidence and with a common objective.