Industria manufacturera y sustitución de importaciones (Uruguay, 1911-1930)

The development of manufacturing industry in Uruguay began a long term before the thirties crisis. Since the last quarter of the nineteenth century there has been a process of industrial growth continued, with variations, over the first three decades of the twentieth century. This paper considers the question of whether industrial growth observed in the two decades between 1911 and 1930 can be considered as a process of economic structural change, on wich the industry serves as the dynamic sector of the economy. Therefore, we consider the pace and type of industrial growth and the degree of industrialization of the uruguayan economy during this period. It also discusses the importance and nature of import substitution in the period. In particular, it evaluates the importance of import substitution for industrialization process.