All Entries in the "Editorials" Category
20 Years of History
A good magazine will always strive to portray current issues accurately. Its pages should reflect the points of view and events of the region that matter most to its readers. These are all strong reasons why a good magazine should keep up with the times. We believe that Latin Trade, over the last 20 years, [...]
Calderon’s Mixed Legacy: Success or Failure?
When Felipe Calderon leaves Mexico’s presidency in December, he will leave behind a mixed legacy, as our special report shows. That might not seem impressive at first glance, but there’s a case to be made that it actually could represent a certain degree of accomplishment and success for Calderon. After all, he faced an unprecedented [...]
Latin America’s Competitive Advantage
While Latin America in general lags behind the United States in competitiveness, it can actually boast a competitive advantage in certain areas. One such area is airline service and comfort. While some U.S. airlines flying Latin American routes typically offer poor service aboard old and run-down planes, Latin American airlines like Avianca, LAN, TAM and [...]
Colombian Star
While Brazil will continue to garner most of the foreign direct investment going to Latin America the next few years, many companies are increasingly looking at another market for strong growth and relatively big numbers: Colombia, the largest Latin American market by population outside of Brazil and Mexico.
Thank You, China!
Jose Antonio Rios, chairman of Global Crossing Latin America, is right on in pointing out that China helps Latin America more than it hurts it.
Recharge Latin America
While Latin America has reason to be proud of its economic growth in recent years, the region needs to implement a series of reforms to make it much more competitive.
The Education Challenge
Companies in Latin America had a great year in 2010, as the Latin 500 shows. Revenues were up 22 percent, while profits jumped 37 percent. However, with expanding demand and sales comes a new challenge — finding the right talent. From Brazil to Panama, companies are increasingly complaining about a deficit of skilled employees.
The Case for Free Trade
While the United States has been dillydallying on free trade with Latin America, the rest of the world has not. The European Union has caught up with the United States when it comes to Colombia, Peru and Central America, undermining the U.S. advantage with those areas
The Chilean Model
Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa was right when he characterized Chile as a not-yet developed country, but one that is not a developing country either.
What will China bring to the Latin American decade?
As this edition of Latin Trade goes to press, Beijing authorities announced new rules allowing companies and financial institutions to move yuan offshore for investment. (The renminbi is the official name for China’s legal tender.) The easing of currency regulations, albeit on a trial basis, points to the expanding role of Chinese companies in mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures in Latin America. As a series of stories in this issue about the Chinese conquista shows, Chinese trade activity has turned into hyperactivity on the acquisition front as these companies, most of them state-run, seek operating control of projects that secure raw materials needed by a nation with a shortage of arable land, minerals and energy.
Challenges and successes in 2010
After the economies of most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean rapidly reignited in 2009—many within a year of the global financial meltdown—there is little surprise that 2010 has proven to be a solid year for many and a stellar one for a number of nations and several sectors in the region. Even Mexico, one of the countries hardest hit during 2009, has rebounded—although the recovery has yet to replace the jobs, output and advances lost during its recession.
In praise of our winners
Change sometimes comes slowly in Latin America and the Caribbean. But when it does come, the results are often dramatic. How else to explain the present state of Brazil, which shows every sign of sustaining its newfound global prominence; or Colombia, which emerged from drug and leftist guerrilla violence with a reenergized economy and culture?
Heavyweights endure
If there is a phrase to describe the evolution of our list of top companies from a decade ago, it would be mergers and acquisitions. Top corporations in Latin America have changed hands and changed names, but most of the biggest companies have withstood the trials and tribulations of local, regional and global economic dislocations.
Latin America and the Caribbean Skirt the Worst in this Crisis
The financial contagion flowing from Greece into the rest of the euro zone has a familiar ring in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mexico’s Tequila Crisis and Argentina’s foreign debt default have receded, but not disappeared, from memory.
A Tough Act To Follow
Brazil’s captivating president has nine months, as of this writing, before he departs the Planalto Palace. But historians in a hurry — journalists — have started to examine his legacy even though Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is not expected to ride off into obscurity. The extraordinarily charismatic politician is likely to have a second or [...]
Winds of Change
Around the hemisphere, one of the first reactions to the earthquake in Haiti was not just horror but concern about the safety of friends and family. Here at Latin Trade, we were no different. So amid the tragedy, learned that past Bravo Business Award winner Michel Chancy took on a new responsibility as secretary of state in charge of distribution of food aid. We wish him well in his efforts to help in the rebuilding of his country.
Workplace Issues Are Bottom Line Matters
As companies across the region knuckle down during the financial crisis, one survey shows that great places to work are still those that interject fun into the daily slog.
Editor’s Note: Into the Storm and Beyond
With this edition of Latin Trade, we bring you two issues in one: both the commemorative issue to showcase the 15th BRAVO Business Awards, including past winners and the honorees of 2009, and some of our regular features, including the economic outlook for 2010 in countries around the region.
Editor’s Note: All Over the Map
It is possible to examine an economy by looking at personal finances, the rate of economic growth or the levels of poverty and each vision will present a different reality.
Editor’s Note: Emerging Issues
Latin Trade’s main feature in this issue takes a look at a number of aspiring leaders, who may be ready to make a run for president, hoping to parlay a track record of practical solutions in local government or long sojourns in politics into national electoral appeal. The political profiles are not about making predictions [...]
Editor’s Note: Our Times
The Chinese curse – “may you live in interesting times” – has rarely had a truer ring than now. Plunging financial markets, skyrocketing government bailouts and falling international trade are offering that “never-livedbefore” experience for all of us, although most people might wish to be going through less exciting times.
