LATAM

On September 24, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) published its report on “Latin America’s Economic Outlook 2020: Digital Transformation for Better Reconstruction“. This document explores how digital transformation can help address the socio-economic situation created by COVID-19, and recommends progress in regional cooperation when it comes to taxing the digital economy. It is hoped that the governments of the different countries in the region can use the recommendations provided as an input for the development of new policies in the medium term.

The 2020 report presents a series of public policy recommendations to coordinate the multiple digital agendas proliferating in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and highlights the importance of linking them to National Development Plans (NDPs). The document points out that by promoting international partnerships, countries could strengthen their national digital capacities and suggests taxing the digitized economy “effectively and fairly”, for which it calls for strong international cooperation.

The document also stipulates that new technologies can contribute to improving the quality of employment and skills, and to the creation of new jobs in the formal market. Also, new digital tools can contribute to improve the productivity and competitiveness of public institutions. Finally, it concludes that it will be essential to guarantee the existence of adequate conditions for Internet access and use, as well as basic and digital skills for the entire population.