Foreword

ECLAC has been publishing the Economic Survey for 59 years now. The first edition of this report was drawn up under the Executive Secretary’s supervision at the behest of the Commission, which requested that “an economic survey of Latin America” be prepared. That document was the new Economic Commission’s first contribution to an understanding of the region’s development process. The Survey thus embodies the Commission’s fulfilment of one of the specific purposes for which it was created by undertaking or sponsoring “the collection, evaluation and dissemination of … economic, technological and statistical information …” on the region. In fact, the former Director of the Central Bank of Argentina, Raúl Prebisch, arrived in Santiago as a consultant to work on the 1948 edition of the Economic Survey. Ever since then, the Survey has served as a witness and as a leading actor in the economic development of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions