Lima, August 4 (Andina) -- The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) will update its growth estimates for the region's countries this year, as part of its Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2014.

The Economic Survey 2014, released on Monday, analyses the economic performance of Latin America and the Caribbean during the first half of the year, and provides forecasts for the next few months. This is one of the most important documents issued by this United Nations regional commission.

The report issued today also examines challenges for the region's economic and social sustainability and its public policies, in the light of the current external environment.

The Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) was founded with the purpose of contributing to the economic development of Latin America, coordinating actions directed towards this end, and reinforcing economic ties among countries and with other nations of the world.

The scope of the Commission's work was later broadened to include the countries of the Caribbean.