MEGA TRENDS IN MEGA TRENDS IN LATIN AMERICALATIN AMERICA

Business Opportunities and Business Opportunities and Strategies for U.S. CompaniesStrategies for U.S. Companies

University of Tampa Board of Counselors

4th Annual International Symposium

Carmen Bracamonte

President, LargerNet L.L.C.

Central Questions about Latin America

Why are the factors associated with the economic growth in Latin America?

What are the most recent trade trends in Latin America?

Is the business environment the same across Latin America?

Reality vs Assumptions

Business Realities in Latin America the hard way… Significant differences by country and by region

More than economics, institutional capacity is critical

..and accountability and transparency

..and also, the Rule of Law

National cultures vs Corporate cultures

Is NAFTA-Mexico a good example?…well

The New Political Economy of North America

Post-industrial USA, from manufacturing based to technology-knowledge based.

U.S. vertical integration The roles of Canada

and Mexico NAFTA USFTA with Chile,

Panama, Peru, and Colombia

CAFTA (Central America and the DR)

FTAA

What variables have a critical role for the U.S. to induce FTAA?

Addition of Eastern European countries to EU

National security in the continent–a premium variable for the U.S.

Political stability in the continent

Sustainable economic growth

But, is the U.S. Congress ready?

What are the regional political variables that collide with U.S. interests?

Venezuela –the expansion of the Chavez model

Cuba -the transition to democracy

Is the political left expansion: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Nicaragua, a reality?

Lack of real economic improvement (per capita) due to trade

…and a key variable: the Socio-

economic conditions in Latin America

…and a key variable: the Socio-

economic conditions in Latin America

Yet, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce is seeking to reactivate negotiations by: sparking and sustaining innovation creating solutions in education and workforce

development designing successful global supply chain

strategies fostering small business development and

growth

What is the future Latin American economic scenario?

a. Speed of second generation reforms

b. From internal producing and consuming market to an international, regional and global economy

c. US is a regional leader in the marketplace and that is not going to change

d. Rule of law, accountability and transparency

e. Paradox of social inequality (human capital investments)

Working force development requires to add International Education and Skills (+)

Working Knowledge in: Language skills –

functional level Culture at the exchange

level Political, economic, and

social systems. National cultures Corporate cultures

abroad

Mega Trends- Business Intelligence in Latin America

TOP INDUSTRIES

Telecommunications Infrastructure Real Estate

Development Software Technologies Oil Technologies Finances Consumer Goods

HOT SPOTS

What This Means for Business?

Emerging Countries Entrepreneurs Small Business

Owners Success Stories Consortium of Public

and Private Sources

Success StoriesBusiness Model Business Intelligence Localized Networks Outsourcing: Qualify

Vendors and Suppliers Identify effective

Distribution Channels Leverage on non-traditional

marketing (WOW, Social Media, and Sustainability)

Extraordinary Customer Service

International Protocol

The Patience Factor in Negotiations

The Credibility Factor Communications Timelines Contracts Know the impact of

gender in trade