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.
Read moreTrade 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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Argentina’s decision to renationalize a Brazilian held rail concession could have serious consequences for the trade bloc.
Peru and the Dominican Republic jumped on LBC’s FDI Index. Chile in the lead this year.
The group extended invitations to both countries this week, but formal adhesion will require a large effort and will take many years.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s stops show China’s desire to diversify its energy base, say experts.
The bill is aimed at bringing foreign currency to Argentina, but critics say it amounts to impunity
Marriott President for Latin America Craig Smith predicts strong growth for Latin America in the coming years.
Latin America continued to be a center of growth for the hospitality industry, with better infrastructure and inter-regional tourism driving growth.
Enthusiasm surrounded the formation of the Cali summit, but short-term benefits may not be much.
Experts consider the changes more a short-term fix than a lasting solution.
Trade with China is reaching more normal rates of yearly growth; Colombia and Costa Rica are this year’s success stories.
President says the country will move forward with $40 billion canal project, pending feasibility studies.
The president pushed a major overhaul of the country’s ports through Congress, which will increase investment by $27 billion.
Bilateral trade grew by 5 percent. Total US and Colombian exports, excluding coffee and oil, grew 20 percent this year.
Recent investments in the country by Honda and Audi have led some to dub it the “new Detroit.”
Brazil registered the largest decline in this year’s survey following a year of flat economic growth.
Analysts view the reforms as negative for business, but do not believe they will lead to more expropriations.
The new chief says he will ease the blockages in global trade.
IMF report predicts modest growth, and urges the region’s economies to lay the groundwork for long-term, sustainable development.
Remittances were largely flat year-over-year in 2012 due to a sluggish Spanish economy.
Haiti, Venezuela, and Honduras top our index for the second year as the most dangerous countries in the Americas.
Analysts believe he will promote pragmatic policies and restore relations with neighbors.
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.
Seeking to close an infrastructure investment gap, several countries offer high-yield bonds and government backing to private investors.
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.
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 Business Chronicle compiles information on almost two dozen projects open for bidding, that are worth more than $36 billion.
George Mencio, associate of Holland & Knight, examines existing legal structures for creating companies, arbitration and bankruptcy laws throughout the region.
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.
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.
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
The reasons behind the Chilean economic success. An exclusive interview with Minister of Finance, Felipe Larraín
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.
From Petrobras to Comgas, a who's who in the oil and gas industry and in the electricity business
Telefonica Brazil was the growth champion. America Movil had a lackluster year
The 3Q12 results of the Latin MNC Index from Latin Business Chronicle
The men and women that influence and lead the business scene in Latin America.
Minimize stress and disruption from bad weather and other hassles that can delay flights
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’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.
The best and worst ranked on the annual Latin Tax Index from Latin Business Chronicle. Brazil is last on the list.
The Latin Business Chronicle Multilatinas Index for 2Q12
What are the major stumbling blocks for peace talks in the South American country with the world's oldest guerrilla movement?
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
Despite economic expansion in Latin America, the productivity indexes that would make it sustainable in time, have not increased in the same proportion.
The US territory is looking to build more high-end hotels and infrastructure to quell revenue shortages
Analysis of the figures shows that Asia is the main growth region for Latin America's trade
Brazilian plane-maker is working jointly on a military transporter with Boeing, and has won permission to manufacture in China.
