November 21, 2025
“How can blockchain technology transform foreign trade processes and improve competitiveness in Latin America and the Caribbean?” This was the topic presented by Ana Basco, Director of Insight LAC, during the seminar Blockchain in International Trade held in Santiago, Chile, and organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Ibero-American Blockchain and Cybersecurity Network (RIBCI), and the Institute of International Studies (IEI) of the University of Chile.
The event provided an invaluable opportunity for regional dialogue, where Ana Basco participated in the opening session and shared key insights into the major pain points currently facing logistics chains and customs systems. These are characterized by fragmented processes, heavy reliance on paper-based documentation, limited interoperability, and risks of fraud—areas in which blockchain can make a significant contribution. This technology has the potential to enhance transparency, traceability, efficiency, and security.
👉 She also presented international case studies such as IBM’s Food Trust, Brazil’s livestock traceability initiatives, and Singapore’s National Trade Platform, while analyzing the factors that determine success or failure in their real-world implementation.
🔗 Finally, she highlighted the challenges that still lie ahead: adaptive regulatory frameworks, robust digital infrastructure, technical capacity building, and, above all, collaborative governance models capable of scaling these solutions across the region. Other topics covered during the event included smart contracts and operational efficiency, quantum computing applied to international trade, and blockchain use cases such as Peru’s cotton industry and the LACChain EOSIO ecosystem.
We would like to extend our special thanks to ECLAC, the event organizers, and all the colleagues who participated and enriched the discussion with their experiences and perspectives. Another step forward toward a more innovative, transparent, and sustainable trade environment in Latin America.