The Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO) helps decision makers find solutions to reduce poverty and inequality while strengthening democracy and unleashing Latin America’s huge potential for growth. The first report ever published by the OECD on the region as a whole, LEO is designed to be an indispensable reference on Latin America’s economic trends.

LEO contains innovative indicators and rigorous comparative studies on structural themes that stimulate an informed policy debate on how to advance the region’s economic development. More than a publication, LEO is a project that serves as a catalyst for further OECD work on Latin America.

The first LEO report (LEO 2008) offers policy recommendations in four key areas for Latin America’s development: fiscal policy, pension fund reform, private investments in telecommunications, and the impact of Asia’s emerging economies. The forthcoming LEO 2009 (expected publication date in October 2008) will focus on Latin America’s fiscal performance and the impact of tax collection and the quality of public expenditure on the region’s development.

By serving as a bridge between OECD members and developing countries, the Development Centre is in a privileged position to promote high-quality policy dialogue on the relevant topics affecting Latin America’s development. Brazil, Chile and Mexico are already members of the Development Centre’s Governing Board. Thanks to this experience, the Centre and LEO provide a setting for mutual learning and constructive dialogue among OECD and Latin American economies, seeking creative policy solutions to emerging development challenges in the region.