This paper is a contribution of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the General Secretariat (SEGIB) the process of preparation of the XXII Latin American Summit of Heads of State and Government (Cádiz, Spain, 16 and November 17, 2012). The main objective of this paper is to give governments a broad and informed of some relevant dimensions of development of the countries of Ibero-America.

Investment is a key variable to generate a process of structural change-oriented development and reduce inequality. In particular, foreign direct investment (FDI) is an instrument in the development of many industries, as it contributes to export growth, the creation of quality jobs and the transfer of knowledge. FDI has significant potential to accompany the injection of capital transfers knowledge, market access and integration into global value chains. In the same manner FDI can be a critical tool for installing new sectors and industries in the host economy. In Latin America is what has happened in some sectors export-oriented manufacturing and more recently electricity generation from renewable sources.