Policies and Business for the Bioeconomy in LAC: An ongoing process D. Hugo Chavarría, D. Eduardo Trigo y D. Juan F. Martínez

Abstract

At the productive level, for more than 30 years, several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have developed business models related to different bioeconomy pathways. Today some of these countries are leaders in biotechnological applications for agriculture, bioenergies, use of biodiversity and low carbon agriculture. In the political-institutional sphere, the concept of bioeconomy was established in the region through projects assisted by the European cooperation, which promoted the awareness of this topic. In parallel, the countries have elaborated initiatives and regulations for those bioeconomy paths with the greatest potential. Just recently countries started to build policies and strategies specifically dedicated to the bioeconomy. In addition to national efforts, international cooperation has played an important role in promoting regional initiatives for the construction of public goods and the use of good practices and lessons learned. Although important progress has been made in the region, the exploitation of bioeconomy requires greater efforts focused on institution building, policies and market instruments that not only make profitable businesses viable but also ensure a framework of security and sustainability.
Key Words: Latin America