Tag Archives: Latin America

"Latin America Sees $4.6 Billion In Clean Energy Last Year"

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A great article from theclimate-group on the advancement of clean energy investment in Latin America, and what countries in the region are doing to  add to the fabric of the global renewable energy process. Future investment will be key to keeping this going, and all signs point towards added investment at a major rate over the next few years.

To find out more about Latin America’s biggest investors and producers of clean energy, give Latin Target a test drive. We give you inside access and the most updated information about the top decision-makers and companies on the continent.  Give us a call today to find out more.

Clean energy investment is booming in Latin America with a huge US$4.6 billion recorded in 2012, signalling the region’s potential to lead the global clean revolution.

The investment is a 127% increase on 2011, according to data that has been released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) ahead of this week’s Renewable Energy Finance Forum – Latin America and Caribbean in Miami.

Latin America’s clean energy finance growth is led by the following countries:

  • Mexico topped clean energy investment, rocketing 595% on 2011 levels to hit US$1.9 billion
  • Chile saw the second biggest growth of 313% to US$1 billion
  • Uruguay increased 313% to reach US$105 million
  • Peru climbed 175% to a total of US$643 million
  • The total figures do not include Brazil, which alone boasted total financial investments in clean energy of US$5.2 billion.

Maria Gabriela da Rocha Oliveira, Head of Latin America Research and Analysis at BNEF said: “The increased investment in non-Brazil Latin America was driven by increased activity by the Inter-American Development Bank. Additionally, European players, both project developers and manufacturers, have become more active in the region given grim conditions at home.”

Carlos St. James, president of the Latin American and Caribbean Council on Renewable Energy (LAC-CORE) and CEO of VOLA Investments LLC said: “As investments in clean energy declined in 2012 due to the ongoing financial crisis, the sector was actually growing in most of Latin America. This is a huge boon for clean energy finance and the region, which we expect to continue to grow. The most exciting trend is that this has moved beyond Brazil, with other countries now seeing amazing growth and potential.”

Mark Kenber, CEO, The Climate Group, said: “Not only does this huge growth not count the region’s largest economy, Brazil, it is all the more impressive considering the 11% drop in clean energy financing that the rest of the world experienced in the same period, as reported by BNEF in January. While the overall decline helped drive international businesses towards the more promising markets in Latin America, these emerging economies are investing in clean energy because they see the opportunity of secure energy, lower technology costs, quick installation and sustainable growth. Clean energy investment has driven job creation and is seen by many as the key the long-term competitiveness.

“2012’s clean energy investment surge reflects Latin America’s potential to lead the global clean revolution, but national policies must continue to give green investors the incentives and stability they’re looking for to maintain a steady growth in 2013 and beyond.”

What is Latin Target? Find out at www.latintarget.com

 

Panama: A Model for Economic Growth and Sustainability

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Panama Panama is currently in the middle of an economic boom, and it’s easy to see. With a sustained average annual growth rate of nearly 9%, the country’s per capita GDP has doubled over the last ten years, catapulting them ahead of nearly every other economy in the region. In a nutshell, they have set the standard model for economic development in Central America, and look to sustain this growth long-term. But what’s driving the growth, and what plans do they have to sustain it?

 

This most recent growth performance has been driven by steady investment, both public and private, in a well-supported atmosphere of state-regulated economic stability, paired with wise financial policies. According to the IMF, in its latest economic assessment of the Central American nation, this has a lot to do with the Panama Canal expansion, as well as a massive construction boom, and large public infrastructure projects. In 2012, real GDP growth was estimated as high as 10.7%, according to the same IMF report.

 

Another reason for betting on sustained future growth has been strong macroeconomic stability, highlighted by full dollarization, as well as domestic services expansion around both the Canal Zone, and the Colon Free Zone. The Colon Free zone, which sits at the top of the Canal, has become a major area for trade, helping to boost international and domestic commerce by removing restrictions and excess taxes. According to the IMF, wise fiscal consolidation has also helped bring gross public debt to 39.2% of the nations GDP in 2012. This is a drastic drop compared to the 66.2% it was at a mere 8 years ago, in 2005.

 

Combined with strong growth and a sound financial sector, these number lead to Panama obtaining its positive investment grade in 2010. The country was also given a recent upgrade by Moody’s, making it one of the highest rated emerging markets, and putting it in the same class with countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Peru. And despite a global economic crisis and turbulent marketplace, Panama has remained resilient, with low reliance on wholesale funding, and high capital and liquidity ratios.

 

The year 2013 is shaping up to be hot one for investment on the isthmus, with many companies staking their claim in the burgeoning boom of Panama’s prosperity. The small country has a lot to offer, and if they stay on course, should have a great economic future based on stability, sound policies, and good investments.

 

To connect with the top companies, executives, and decision makers in Panama and throughout Latin America, contact us today, and find out how Latin Target can help you. What is Latin Target? Find out at www.latintarget.com

Latin America’s Business Travel Boom: Why doing on-site business is getting easier

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With rapid growth all across the region, it’s no surprise that business travel in Latin America is in the midst of a rapid change. Despite the advances in e-business and technology, many people still value face-to-face meetings over virtual ones, and as a result, the travel industry is listening. There are now more direct flights to more cities in Central and South America than ever before.  New hotels are being constructed, or remodeled. And the infrastructure in getting business travelers back and forth from destination is being updated, and made more efficient. In short, business travel in Latin America has never been easier.

 

Where’s the Growth?

 

According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), in their “Global Business Travel Spending Outlook 2011-2015” Brazil, Mexico and Argentina remain the key business travel hubs, generating around 75% of the region’s business travel volume. And while this statistic isn’t necessarily new, it’s the other, less traditional business hubs, such as Colombia, Chile, and Peru, which are really starting to impress the average business traveler. According the same study, Colombia now makes up 8.2% of total business travel spending in the region. To break that down another way, that’s USD $3.35 billion annually; a number unheard of not too many years back.

 

What’s Growing?

 

Despite industry-wide economic challenges, the Airline industry has a large part to do with the business travel growth in Latin America. Major Latin American carriers such as Copa, LATAM, and Tame have added new routes from more US and European cities, with plans for more on the way in the future. More direct flights to key business centers have also been added to save time, and to make short trips easier, something that was a big challenge in the past. They have also made tickets more affordable, giving big companies more incentive to send more than one associate at a time to do business.

 

And much like any other aspect of the travel industry, when one part grows, the other parts grow around it. In this case, the hotel industry is picking up the pace. As business travel increases, hotel groups are responding to the demand with significant investment taking place across the region to address capacity issues. New hotels are being built closer to airports, and developing, or constructing business centers and conference halls within those hotels has become a top priority for groups like Hilton, Marriott, and NH Hotels.

 

There is also significant airport expansion in places like Sao Paolo, Panama City, and Santiago, in order to help facilitate and ease new travel volume.

 

The bottom line in business travel is efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the overall value of doing business face-to-face. Companies know this. The travel industry knows this. And both are working feverishly to make sure they can meet each other’s expectations, and keep Latin American business travel alive and well for the long haul. While there are still many obstacles to overcome to fully streamline efficient business travel in the region, the work is being done, and the amount of travelers keep increasing. Only time will tell if it’s sustainable, but as of now, the outlook is pretty clear: doing face-to-face business in Latin America is getting easier, and the best has yet to come.

 

For more great info, updates, and business news throughout the region, check out Latin Target’s Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. What is Latin Target? Find out at www.latintarget.com

 

LatAm Market Will Help Telecoms Revenues to Hit $1.7 Trillion by 2017

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Tracking Global Telecom RevenuesAccording to a recent study from analysts at Analysys Mason, emerging markets and mobile data, specifically in Latin America will play a major role in driving global telecoms revenue up to USD $1.7 trillion by 2017. That’s an unprecedented number for the telecom industry, which has seen significant global growth in the past three years, especially in places like Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

 

This growth won’t come easy, however, and in order for revenues to meet their high expectations, many companies will have to learn how to adapt to economic challenges. While there are some bright spots in the emerging markets, especially in Latin America, there is still a global economic crisis to contend with. And even with emerging markets rising to the occasion, being adaptive to a changing economic mold is crucial. Traditional revenue streams may be tougher to drive than they once were, meaning that looking to new strategies and new business models will be critical to these telecoms’ survival and growth.

 

Telecoms continue to be one of the most stable growth industries in most of the world, and the mobile sector is leading the charge. Assessing this growth, as well as future growth potential, and analyzing potential market opportunities will be a big part of securing a piece of the industry’s predicted revenues over the next five years. In areas like Brazil and Mexico, growth is expected to be around 150% annually in this timespan, making good, early strategy, tantamount to staying ahead of the game in Latin America.

 

According to the Analysys Mason report, mobile handset data, along with fixed and mobile broadband will be the most important revenue growth areas in the region. This is especially the case with LTE technology, which has seen unprecedented deployment throughout the continent, with new networks being added quarterly, and even monthly in some cases. Mobile data’s potential in the region is growing so fast, that many telecoms, such as ENTEL and America Movil have had to expedite their deployment strategies just to keep up with demand. Though not as drastic as data, mobile voice revenue is also predicted to rise, leaving the mobile market wide open for new development.

 

In emerging markets such as Latin America, the revenue spike for telecoms operators has got a bright future. With the right tools, information, and strategy, carving out a share of these revenues is not only possible, but also probable. For more info on how to get connected with the top executives and decision makers in Latin American telecoms, contact us today, and find out how we can help.

What is Latin Target? Find out at www.latintarget.com

 

Latin American Data Center Expansion (Infographic)

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In Latin America, the data center services market is expanding at a break neck pace. In fact, it’s growing so fast, that analysts predict that in 2013 the value will climb as high as USD $3 billion. These are big numbers for the industry, and show immense future growth potential all over the region. Here’s a great infographic from DataCenterMap.com to give you a good visual idea of who’s expanding, and where:

America Movil Wins Olympic TV Rights for ’14, ‘16

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Olympics-Amerca MovilFurthering its ever-growing global presence, Mexican telecommunications giant America Movil has just been awarded exclusive broadcasting rights both the 2014 and 2016 Winter and Summer Olympic Games. The agreement was announced by both the IOC, as well as America Movil press releases, and close out intense competition for the much-coveted rights. While some details about the deal have been released, as of today, no financial terms have been made public.

 

This is the first time that America Movil has been granted exclusive rights of this magnitude, which include exclusivity to all regions of Latin America except Brazil, where the 2016 games will be held. The move is a historic one for the Mexican company, as the ’16 games will be the first Olympics held in South America, and look to bring massive economic and cultural recognition to the continent. The deal brokered by the IOC also includes the 2014 Winter Olympics to be held in Sochi, Russia.

 

Both sides are excited about this new partnership, and are confident that they made the right choice; one that will benefit both the public interest, and the respective organizations. According to IOC Finance Commission Chairman Richard Carrion, “They (America Movil) demonstrated a clear passion for the Olympic values and are excited about the Games coming to Latin America in 2016. We believe this is a great deal for our stakeholders.”

 

Excitement on America Movil’s behalf was just as visible, as the company released a statement via their spokesman stating, “We are extremely pleased to have reached this successful agreement. The Olympic Games will be broadcast across all media platforms in Latin America … helping millions of people in Latin America to have access to the largest international sporting event.”

 

America Movil is one of the leading providers of cable or satellite TV service in Latin America with 16 million subscribers in 18 countries, except Mexico, where Slim has been trying to get into Television.

Securing the Olympic Games’ rights allows Slim to expand its presence in Latin American’s TV industry but more importantly, it shows his business model’s aim is to offer convergence services, which integrate the dissemination of voice, data, sound or pictures through a single network. For more on America Movil, and other growing telecoms in Latin America, check out our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Infographic: Economic Competitiveness in Latin America

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Here’s a great infographic from Visual.ly on the different rates of economic competitiveness in Latin America. According to the publication, “The 2012-2013 Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) covers 144 major and emerging economies. The report assesses the ability of countries to provide high levels of prosperity to their citizens. Scoring a variety of indicators out of a possible 7 points, here is a sampling of where LatAm ranked globally.” Enjoy.

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