José Elías
Durán Lima
Chief, Regional Integration Unit · ECLAC, United Nations
Senior economist with over 25 years at ECLAC working on regional integration, trade policy and value chains. He is one of the architects of the South American Input-Output Matrix (ECLAC and IPEA, 2016), the first effort of its scale in Latin America, and of its global multi-regional extension launched in 2025. He leads technical teams, advises governments and development banks, and is part of the drafting team of the International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC's flagship annual report.
Santiago, Chile · PhD, University of Barcelona
Lines of work
From international trade theory to its application in public policy across Latin America.
Regional integration
Policy dialogue with CAF, IDB, ALADI, CAN, MERCOSUR, WTO and UNCTAD.
Value chains
Productive integration across countries and sectors; domestic value added in exports.
Input-output analysis
South American MIP and ALC-EU multi-regional matrix (FIGARO). Methodology manuals and applications.
Trade policy
Evaluation of trade agreements and FTA impact on trade, production and welfare.
Applied modeling
Computable general equilibrium (CGE/GTAP), partial equilibrium, input-output analysis.
Jobs and emissions
Employment and CO₂ embodied in trade: how trade affects people and planet.
Recommended reading
International Trade Outlook for LAC 2025
The 2025 edition analyses the new U.S. trade policy and "weaponised interdependence" in the global economy. Three pillars: the regional trade slowdown projected for 2026, the impact of new U.S. tariffs on Latin American exports, and the region's low participation in technologically advanced exports. It recommends diversifying markets and deepening intraregional integration.
