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  • Where are the Brazilian protests going?

    Nearly a quarter million people have taken to the streets in Brazil’s largest cities in the past week in the largest demonstrations the country has seen since the 1985 protests against the country’s then military government. What began as protest over a 20 cent increase in bus fare in the city of São Paulo has morphed into broader dissatisfaction with the “inefficiencies and deficiencies” of Brazil, says Professor Marcos Troyjo, director of Columbia University’s BRICLab. Troyjo says the protests reflect a sector of the population that is increasingly frustrated with Brazil’s state capitalist system that is “neither generating the necessary prosperity or efficiencies in education or health.” While the short-term effects of these protests is unlikely to be significant, Troyjo says the protests could have a major influence on the country’s October 2014 presidential elections, and could pose a challenge for President Dilma Rousseff in what has until now been considered her “guaranteed” reelection.


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  • Argentina. A Downward Spiral

    For both Argentine firms and foreign companies, Argentina has become one of the least attractive investment destinations on the globe. Moreover, the business environment is worsening: distortions in macroeconomic policies, a deterioration in the legal and regulatory framework due to government intervention, and policies that undermine trade and investment as well as contract and property rights, continue unabated. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has truly become private enterprise’s worst nightmare. Nationalizations, most notably the renationalization of Repsol-owned YPF oil company last year, followed by others, including the June 5 announcement that the Argentine government has revoked the concessions of two freight railways, a passenger train line and an amusement park, are harbingers of continued Peronista kleptocratic maneuvers. The renationalization of two rail concessions held by the Brazilian company ALL (América Latina Logística) adds fuel to the fire undermining Mercosur, a trade arrangement which the Federation of Industry of the State of São Paulo (FIESP) vilifies as a “straight jacket” for free enterprise and cross-border trade.


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  • Trade with Japan and Korea down in 2012

    Thought outpaced by China, trade with Asia’s other major economies offers very different dynamics says experts.


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The beginning of the end for Mercosur?

Argentina’s decision to renationalize a Brazilian held rail concession could have serious consequences for the trade bloc.

FDI reached 3 percent of GDP in Latin America

Peru and the Dominican Republic jumped on LBC’s FDI Index. Chile in the lead this year.

Colombia, Costa Rica flirt with OECD membership

The group extended invitations to both countries this week, but formal adhesion will require a large effort and will take many years.

Energy on the agenda in Chinese leader’s LatAm tour

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s stops show China’s desire to diversify its energy base, say experts.

Argentina pushes ahead controversial tax amnesty

The bill is aimed at bringing foreign currency to Argentina, but critics say it amounts to impunity

Marriott plans to double its LatAm presence in two years

Marriott President for Latin America Craig Smith predicts strong growth for Latin America in the coming years.

Taking reservations - 2013 Latin American Hotel Index

Latin America continued to be a center of growth for the hospitality industry, with better infrastructure and inter-regional tourism driving growth.

The Pacific Alliance: The start of something great

Enthusiasm surrounded the formation of the Cali summit, but short-term benefits may not be much.

Brazil creates special ministry for small business

Experts consider the changes more a short-term fix than a lasting solution.

China-Latin America Trade: Balancing out

Trade with China is reaching more normal rates of yearly growth; Colombia and Costa Rica are this year’s success stories.

Nicaragua announces plans for transoceanic canal

President says the country will move forward with $40 billion canal project, pending feasibility studies.

Full-steam ahead on Brazilian port reform

The president pushed a major overhaul of the country’s ports through Congress, which will increase investment by $27 billion.

Assessing one year of the U.S. –Colombia FTA

Bilateral trade grew by 5 percent. Total US and Colombian exports, excluding coffee and oil, grew 20 percent this year.

Is Mexico the new Detroit?

Recent investments in the country by Honda and Audi have led some to dub it the “new Detroit.”

Latin Business Index 2013: Bad News for Brazil and Uruguay

Brazil registered the largest decline in this year’s survey following a year of flat economic growth.

What effect will Argentina’s judicial reforms have for business?

Analysts view the reforms as negative for business, but do not believe they will lead to more expropriations.

Azevêdo becomes first Latin American head of WTO

The new chief says he will ease the blockages in global trade.

Latin America to grow 3.5 percent this year

IMF report predicts modest growth, and urges the region’s economies to lay the groundwork for long-term, sustainable development.

Spain drags down LatAm remittance growth in 2012

Remittances were largely flat year-over-year in 2012 due to a sluggish Spanish economy.

Cracks in the Pact?

What do tensions in the Pact for Mexico mean for EPN’s reform agenda?

The deal of the semester?

The deeper implications of the Brazil-China currency swap deal.

Caracas: the most murderous capital

Haiti, Venezuela, and Honduras top our index for the second year as the most dangerous countries in the Americas.

What the new President has in store for Paraguay

Analysts believe he will promote pragmatic policies and restore relations with neighbors.

Innovation, the Porsche way

How does the icon in sports car design and engineering manage its innovation process. Lessons to be learned from one of the world´s best. Interview with Matthias Brück, CEO for Porsche Latin America.

New vehicles for infrastructure investment

Seeking to close an infrastructure investment gap, several countries offer high-yield bonds and government backing to private investors.

Educating the Children to Succeed

Students with limited access to education in Latin America sometimes fail to develop cognitive skills needed for success. Latin Education Index shows how Guatemala and Haiti lag in this area.

“We will capitalize the Central Bank if necessary”

Peru will have a stronger stance against currency appreciation. FDI will increase by 25 percent this year to reach $14 billion. Exclusive interview with Peruvian Minister of Finance, Luis Fernando Castilla.

Latin Infrastructure Guide 2013

Latin Business Chronicle compiles information on almost two dozen projects open for bidding, that are worth more than $36 billion.

Latin America needs a shake-up in commercial law

George Mencio, associate of Holland & Knight, examines existing legal structures for creating companies, arbitration and bankruptcy laws throughout the region.

Latin Entrepreneur Index

Chile, Panama, Mexico and Colombia lead the table of best countries for entrepreneurs in Latin America. That is the result of the Latin Entrepreneur Index from Latin Business Chronicle.

Nobis to invest in Peru's sugar industry

Isabel Noboa, head of Consorcio Nobis, highlights the group's domestic and international expansion plans. Nobis is one of Ecuador's most important business conglomerates.

Where is Hyatt headed?

The chain plans to nearly double its hotel presence in Latin America, spearheaded by the Hyatt Place brand for business travelers. Where will the expansion take place

Consistent economic policies foster economic growth and stability: Larraín

The reasons behind the Chilean economic success. An exclusive interview with Minister of Finance, Felipe Larraín

LBC Multilatina Index for 3Q12

The index fell 2.1 percent from 3Q11. Nevertheless Bimbo increased its revenue by 40 percent, Cencosud by 30 percent and Femsa by 23 percent. The fastest growing companies relied on their domestic markets and not on international markets.

Top 50 Energy Companies

From Petrobras to Comgas, a who's who in the oil and gas industry and in the electricity business

Latin 500 Top 50 technology companies

Telefonica Brazil was the growth champion. America Movil had a lackluster year

Top 50 retailers in Latin America

The distance between retail giants Wal-Mart and CBD narrows

Casino, Electrolux and Volkswagen growth champions in Latin America

The 3Q12 results of the Latin MNC Index from Latin Business Chronicle

100 Most Powerful Businesspeople

The men and women that influence and lead the business scene in Latin America.

When Bad Weather Strikes

Minimize stress and disruption from bad weather and other hassles that can delay flights

Brazil, the least globalized economy in Latin America

Brazil ranked for the second consecutive year, as the least globalized country in the region. Venezuela and Colombia are also at the bottom of the list. Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras and Chile are the most connected to global trade flows.

The Interjet way

On November 15 the airline opened a route to Las Vegas and is going for Bogotá. It has the second biggest profit margin of all the region’s airlines. How it captured 25% of the Mexican market in just seven years. Interview with José Luis Garza, general director of Interjet.

The Top 100 Pension Funds 2012

Colombian pension funds gain speed. Eleven out of the top 15 funds decreased their assets under management. The number of affiliates to the pension system increased to 74.4 million. There are 60 Brazilian funds among the top 100. Mexican Principal, a growth champion.

Labor markets lose appeal

The results of the Latin Business Chronicle Labor Index show a reduction in labor market attractiveness. Guatemala and Honduras hit by wage increases. Brazil and Chile show noteworthy setbacks. Ecuador is the champion on this classification.

The top 30 women in business

Latin Business Chronicle ranks the most influential women in the Latin American business world of 2012. They include chief executives, board members, company advisers, and creators of some of the region’s most important economic trends.

The best 100 Companies of 2012

Mining and construction companies in Latin America have increased their sales, net revenues and profitability more than other firms in the last three years. See the complete list of best companies from Shougang to Corporacion San Luis.

Top 50 airports in Latin America

Air traffic is increasing fast in the region. Brazilian airports lead this growth trend. Campinas and Teresina at the top of the list.

South Korea gains ground in Latin markets

South Korea’s trade with Latin America roared ahead in 2011, up 22 percent to reach a record $53.9 billion, according to Korean government data analyzed by Latin Business Chronicle.

Latin tax heavens and tax hells

The best and worst ranked on the annual Latin Tax Index from Latin Business Chronicle. Brazil is last on the list.

Rough times for cellphone operators

The Latin Business Chronicle Latin Wireless Index for 2Q12

Multilatinas: A good year for transportation and retail

The Latin Business Chronicle Multilatinas Index for 2Q12

Is peace possible in Colombia?

What are the major stumbling blocks for peace talks in the South American country with the world's oldest guerrilla movement?

Interview: The world's baker

It all begins with understanding the consumer

Venezuela's poor little rich kid

State oil company PDVSA has access to the world's largest oil reserves, but it has been slow to develop its riches, and a slump in world prices could plunge it into problems

Costa Rica's bond with Beijing

The very special relationship with China could be a model for the rest of Latin America

Multilatinas push for better education

Despite economic expansion in Latin America, the productivity indexes that would make it sustainable in time, have not increased in the same proportion.

Puerto Rico heads upscale

The US territory is looking to build more high-end hotels and infrastructure to quell revenue shortages

Parents matter

Why don’t Ministers of Education listen to them?

Latin America's top trading partners

Analysis of the figures shows that Asia is the main growth region for Latin America's trade

Embraer leads pack in Multilatinas growth

Brazilian plane-maker is working jointly on a military transporter with Boeing, and has won permission to manufacture in China.