Minerals versus vaccines: the new dilemma for economies with abundant natural resources

This document evaluates the need to strengthen the strategic links of the health value chain (CVS) in economies with abundant natural resources, a condition that in some cases has meant more of a hindrance than a facilitator of industrial development. To do this, the degree of local autonomy of the sectors that make up the CVS is measured by comparing the national and imported value added that they contain; and using the Generalized Method of Moments, the effect exerted on this autonomy by variables of the world economy that normally favor the growth of countries with abundant natural resources is estimated. The rigidity of the productive structure of a country is also evaluated with the Economic Complexity Index and the Theil Index. Finally, indicators of the results of the fight against COVID-19 are used to check whether the aforementioned degree of autonomy would have any impact on the ability to control the pandemic.