Announcement of the Report "The Major Long-Term Trends in the Mexican Economy" has Been Presented to the Mexican Government and the International Bank

INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RlOOONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 19S2 A report entitled "The Major Long-Term Trends in the Mexican Economy," prepared by a group of economists from the Mexican Government ani the International Bank, has been presented to the Mexican Government and the International Bank. The re- port is to be published within the next few months in S~sh by the Mexican Government and in English by the !aternationa.1. Bank through its publisher, the Johns Hopkins Press of Baltimore. This study stems from a proposal made in February 19.Sl by the Nacional Fina.n- ciera, an official financing agency of the Mexican Govermnent., that the Mexican Gover?linent and the International Bank set up a combined working party to assess the major long-term trends in the Mexican economy with particular reference to Mexico• s capacity to absorb additional foreign investments. The Combined Mexican Working ~ Party held its first meeting in April 19Sl and work on the project continued for more than a year. The Combined Mexican Working Party was composed or Raul Ortiz Mena of the Nacional Financiera., Victor L. Urquidi of the Banco de Mexico., and Albert Waterston and Jonas H. Haralz or the International Bank. The data contained in the report and the conclusions drawn are the responsibility or the members of the Working Party as technical experts and are in no way binding on the Mexican Government and the Banlc. The report reviews the course and effects or investment in Mexico from 1939 to l9SO and makes an assessment of the prospects for changes in the national income and the balance of payments over the next ten years. The study covers every segment of the Mexican economy., including agriculture., mining., petroleum, electric power, industry and transportation and communications., as well as education, public health and welfare and public finance. Much of the data . o n public finance., external debt, the balance of payments and the estimates or national income., gross national product., consumption.and. public and private invest- ment is new and appears tor the first time in this report. '·.. ,