Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have undergone multiple cycles of economic development. While commodity exports primarily drove the region’s initial growth, it has progressively transitioned towards more advanced and complex models of economic expansion. Nevertheless, this evolution has consistently been hindered by persistent challenges, including stagnant macroeconomic performance and limited economic and trade openness. During the 1990s and 2000s, policy focus in the LAC region centred on achieving macroeconomic stability and promoting growth. These efforts have made the region increasingly attractive to foreign direct investment (FDI), primarily driven by multinational enterprises (MNEs).
Given the central and expected role of MNEs in shaping the international competitiveness of the LAC region, there is a pressing need for research examining the complex interrelations between MNE strategies and the region’s economic, social, and environmental development. The AIB Latin America and the Caribbean 2026 Chapter Conference aims to foster academic debate regarding the contributions of MNEs to regional development and the consequent implications for policy and practice.
