Growth forecasts are bullish for the Caribbean, where overspending on sports is countered by tourism and construction investment. However, crime is still an issue.
Category: Regions
Posted inMagazine
Challenges Accumulate
The next Jamaican prime minister faces significant challenges, including too much debt, rising unemployment and a crime wave.
Posted inMagazine
Future Hinges on Politics
Future Hinges on Uncertain Politics
Mexico’s President Calderón must defeat the very forces that swept him into office – the business community – to solidify his administration and spur an economy that struggles to grow by 3%.
Posted inMagazine
NGC Sees Downstream Opportunity
Trinidad and Tobago’s National Gas Company is developing new markets and predicts growth in pipeline projects. It is not planning to raise any new funds this year.
Posted inMagazine
Pension Fund Revolution
Decisions taken in 2007 will greatly alter Mexico’s pension funds industry, boosting private funds’ ability to take risk and creating a new state fund to compete with them.
Posted inMagazine
Striving for Critical Mass
As stock markets around the world consolidate, the relatively miniscule Caribbean bolsas are trying to link up. The three biggest hope to pave the way to full regional integration.
Posted inMagazine
Colombia Builds Road to the Sun
With the IFC’s help, Colombia is drawing up its own blueprint for infrastructure finance. Local investors are rubbing their hands as the government seeks a replicable model.
Posted inDaily Brief
BofA to Head Syndications from Mexico
In the wake of Warren Weissman’s departure, BofA is taking a step further into local markets by moving leadership of its loan syndications business to the Mexico office. Jaime Lopez, a BofA credit portfolio manager, replaces Weissman, who was based in New York, and will head syndications from Mexico City. BofA has been a selective player in LatAm capital markets, limiting its cross-border presence to loan syndications for Mexican credits. Other banks, such as Scotiabank have also moved to establish a stronger local presence in Mexico as the peso lending business picks up.
Posted inDaily Brief
Telefonica Says Committed to Ecuador
Spain’s Telefónica is going through some tough talks with Ecuador’s government to renew its concession, but it is hopeful of finding a solution. “We are committed to the future of the Ecuadorian telecoms sector,” a Telefónica spokesman tells LatinFinance. The telecom says it has spent about $1bn in Ecuador since setting up shop there in November 2004 and plans to spend more than €55m next year, up from an average annual €50m. However, president Rafael Correa claims that foreign firms are charging too much for poor service and he is pushing for a better deal. Telefónica claims to be improving its service and pricing and to be in better shape than other operators. “We feel we have a better position than our competitor América Móvil,” says the spokesman. He adds that Telefónica does not have the tax issues of its competitor. “We know it’s a difficult negotiation,” the spokesman adds of the talks with the government. He says that he does not know when negotiations will conclude.