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MARKET AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE TRENDS IN LATIN AMERICA

Multinational growth strategies in Latin America have shifted recently after years of steady economic growth, a strengthening middle class, expansion of credit, and the growing strength of global players in the region. Now facing increasing competition in first tier markets, growth strategies focus on deepening one’s presence in existing markets and expanding into second tier markets. The following presentation explores these emerging trends in market and business intelligence for Latin America strategic planning..

FALLING WORKER REMITTANCES: A REALIGNMENT OF MONEY FLOWS

Worker remittances to Mexico from the United States are down 2.9%, totaling $5.4 billion, during the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. Mexico frequently serves as a barometer for the region because it accounts for nearly half of the region’s remittances. First quarter figures are not surprising in light of a softening of growth during 2007, but the ever increasing severity of deceleration in the US economy could actually make 2008 the first year on-record where remittances post negative growth.

THE WEAK LINK IN TRADE PROMOTION: SMES AND EXPORT-ORIENTED CLUSTERS

A recurring criticism of government-led trade promotion schemes is that they tend to be poorly targeted and, as a result, their real impact on export growth is negligible, particularly in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. Given the considerable amount of government resources invested into these activities, they have increasingly come under scrutiny and greater pressure to produce a return on the investment.