Introduction: A normative challenge

The 1998 edition of Foreign Investment in Latin American and the Caribbean began with a discussion of the very significant statistical challenge which faces anyone interested in making sense out of the large but heterogeneous pool of official information available on foreign direct investment (FDI). It was pointed out that the very significant differences that exist in terms of the methodology, definitions and coverage of the principal official sources of statistical information result in a less than full understanding of FDI as an economic phenomenon. Consequently, policy-making in this field becomes unnecessarily difficult. Efforts to promote methodological convergence have been applauded by ECLAC, yet a great deal more remains to be done.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth