Carrion Menendez, Alejandro (2016). Latin American and Caribbean Enterprise Survey: 2011. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/i8m4812v

1. English

What is the LACES dataset?

The Latin America and Caribbean Enterprise Survey (LACES) is a comprehensive, internationally comparable firm-level dataset covering 14 Caribbean territories.
Developed with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Compete Caribbean, it provides essential insights into the performance and challenges faced by businesses in the Caribbean and the broader LATAM market.

What information does the dataset include?

LACES collects firm-level data across key business areas, including:
- Sales, supplies, and trade relationships
- Competition, innovation, and technology adoption
- Conflict resolution and crime prevention
- Business environment and government interactions
- Labor, skills, and workforce development
- Access to finance and firm performance

This makes it one of the most detailed sources of small-business data in Latin America available for comparative research.

Which countries and territories are covered?

The dataset includes observations from 14 Caribbean economies, providing a regional view of businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Countries include:
Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

How was the data collected?

Data were gathered using the World Bank Enterprise Survey methodology, which enables cross-country comparability.
Until 2011, the Caribbean region lacked a firm-level, internationally standardized dataset that could identify factors influencing business productivity and competitiveness.

LACES fills this gap by applying a harmonized framework to measure firm behavior and economic performance.

What related datasets complement LACES?

LACES is part of a broader suite of business data products developed under Compete Caribbean, including:
- PROTEqIN Survey: Shares most of the LACES questionnaire, with over 4,000 combined firm observations.
- FINGEN Dataset: Adds firm-level data on finance and gender characteristics, deepening insights into small business dynamics in the region.

What are the dataset’s main uses?

Researchers, policymakers, and development organizations use LACES to:
- Analyze the business environment in the Caribbean and Latin America
- Compare firm productivity and innovation across countries
- Assess challenges facing small businesses in Jamaica and other territories
- Inform policies to improve competitiveness and private-sector growth

What are the dataset’s limitations?

• Coverage is limited to the 14 surveyed Caribbean economies.
• Data reflect self-reported information from firms.
• Comparability is strongest when used alongside PROTEqIN and FINGEN datasets.

What are the main challenges of doing business in Latin America?

Firms surveyed in LACES consistently identified electricity reliability, tax administration, corruption, and political instability as significant obstacles. In several Caribbean economies, crime and disorder were also reported as major constraints to operations.

How do the ease of doing business in Mexico, Brazil, and Chile compare?

Surveyed firms in Mexico cited tax administration and corruption as heavier burdens, while Brazilian firms reported more frequent power outages and regulatory inspections. Chilean firms, by contrast, reported fewer informal payments and higher rates of quality certification.

What is the difference between traditional manufacturing and digital services growth in Latin America?

Manufacturing firms in the survey reported greater exposure to obstacles in customs and trade regulation, while service firms more often highlighted telecommunications and internet connectivity issues. Both sectors showed evidence of innovation, but services leaned more on ICT adoption.

Which South American countries are major exporters of agricultural and commodity products?

The dataset captures export shares. Firms in Argentina and Chile reported higher direct export ratios, particularly in the agribusiness and mining sectors. Export losses due to theft or spoilage were modest but present, underscoring supply chain vulnerabilities.

What are the opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Latin America?

SMEs in the survey often lacked access to formal credit lines. Many relied on internal funds or supplier credit. However, SMEs that obtained loans or certifications reported improved quality and entry into foreign markets, highlighting the payoff of targeted support programs.

What are the primary industries driving GDP growth in Latin America currently?

The survey stratified firms by manufacturing, retail, and services. Manufacturing firms contributed significantly to export activity, while services dominated employment. Innovation indicators were present across both, suggesting dual engines of growth.

How do currency volatility and inflation impact business operations in Argentina and Brazil?

Although the dataset does not directly track macroeconomic variables, firms in Argentina and Brazil reported higher reliance on cash transactions and greater obstacles to accessing finance. This reflects the operational stress caused by inflation and currency swings.

What is the current landscape of venture capital investment in Latin American AgTech?

The dataset does not record venture capital flows. However, agribusiness firms reported innovation activity and adoption of new processes. This suggests fertile ground for AgTech investment, even if VC data must be sourced elsewhere.