25/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - Ahead of the Guadalajara Summit of 27 and 28 May (see other article), EUROCHAMBERS and the Latin American organisations AICO (Ibero-American Association of Chambers of Commerce), AILA (Latin American Industrial Association), and CAIC (Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce) have appealed to countries of the region to move towards greater regional integration, which, according to a press release, is the key to the economic development and stability of the countries in question. In the press release, Dirk Vantyghem, Director of International Affairs for EUROCHAMBERS, stresses that inter-regional trade and investment "are far from reaching their full potential". He adds: "Latin America and the Caribbean are still seen by European SMEs as difficult markets in many respects, be it the political and financial instability, or the considerable tariff barriers". In order to remedy these failings, Mr Vantyghem feels that the EU should support administration re-organisation on the ground, and "improve customs procedures and transparent public procurement". (For information on EUROCHAMBERS, see http: //http://www.eurochambres.be/press ).