00938nam a2200121Ia 4500 20260716043342.0 ESCAITH, Hubert Countries of the Central American Common Market and the challenges of a hemispheric free trade area : the extent of macroeocnomic preparedness. 1997 Identifies four criteria of preparedness, viz. (1) the criteria for eligibility; (2) the preparedness of the economic policies; (3) structural preparedness; and (4) the feasibility of the hemispheric integration process. Applies these criteria to determine Central America's global level of preparedness, and compares the result with Panama, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Concludes that if the CACM countries are to join in a free trade area of the Americas in favourable conditions, they must make a spirited effort to improve their level of macroeconomic preparation. 3/7/00 M2LMGR A 45452 45452