A review of developments in economic performance and policy in 1969 can scarcely be considered without looking both backwards and forwards in time. As the penultimate year of the First Development Decade. 1969 provides a vantage point from which to make a preliminary appraisal of performance in that decade. Though any appraisal will be subject to some revision later, it is important to establish a reasonably accurate benchmark as an aid to the consideration of the problems of the Second Development Decade. Planning for the decade ahead will, of necessity, be based on the gains which have been achieved in the recent past. At the same time, the lessons of experience must also be learned from the shortcomings of policy and performance. Only on the basis of total experience will it be possible to achieve the set targets and create viable policies for the coming decade.