January 16, 2014

EXCLUSIVE The global competition among elites
Innovation is now more important than ever for economic success

The relative weight of any country in international relations can be measured at three levels: its dissuasive strength in terms of defense forces; the prosperity of its citizens and its companies; and its influence as projected through intangible values. As far as all of these are concerned, innovation is the key. And innovation is something that is produced by elites, Latin Business Chronicle reports.

EXCLUSIVE interview: Angélica Ocampo, Worldfund

LBC interviewed Angélica Ocampo, Executive Director at Worldfund, a non-profit organization which provides grants and technical help to Latin American schools to help improve English literacy and educational programs. Ocampo discusses the organization's mission, as well as the opportunities and challenges it faces.

Avianca's shares climb for fifth day
Colombian carrier is top performer in the Colcap index

Colombian airline Avianca's shares rose 4.1 percent, gaining for a fifth straight day as JPMorgan chose the stock as its top pick among Latin American carriers. The firm is currently the best performer in the Colcap index, and the five-day winning streak is its longest in more than a year.The company said passengers during the holiday period from December 13 to January 12 reached a record 1.5 million, Bloomberg reports.

Peru to boost foreign trade with new policy
Initiative seeks to take Peruvian exports to new markets

The Peruvian government is gathering suggestions and proposals from the private sector to design a new policy aimed at boosting foreign trade. The main goals of the initiative are to enter new markets and open up dialogue between the country's private and public sector with President Ollanta Humala's administration, Andina reports.

Big oil firms to wait two years as Mexico works on contract terms
Exxon, Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell and Repsol have expressed interest in Mexican oil fields

Large oil firms such as Exxon and Chevron will have to wait two years to invest and estimated $20 billion into Mexico's recently opened energy sector, as the government is working on contract terms. Foreign producers will be allowed to bid on projects by the end of next year, Deputy Energy Minister Enrique Ochoa said, the Washington Post reports.

MOREOVER

Chile's copper output to increase nearly 4 percent this year Fox News

Venezuela's economic woes BBC

Mexico's reforms: The devil in the details Forbes

Britain boosts cooperation with Cuba Global Times

Argentina's President goes off the grid CNN