MALAYSIA LATIN AMERICAN BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY :Unleashing potential business and investment opportunities

26 June 2013, MATRADE Jalan Duta Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA LATIN AMERICAN BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Unleashing potential business and investment opportunities

By 2050 Brazil and Mexico will be among the world’s six leading economies, say analysts at the investment bank Goldman

Sachs. Latin America has a population of 550m,with average yearly per capita incomes of $4,000, immense natural resources and substantial human capital. It accounts for 8% of world production and grew by more than 5% in the past three years. Investors can take some comfort in the direction of the region’s two biggest economies; Brazil and Mexico, for both continue to follow moderate policies, as do Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Their promarket approach may help to explain why the elites of Latin America have rarely been more optimistic about its future. A recent survey by Zogby International found that 53 percent of the respondents say that the region is on the “right track,” and 81 percent expect that their national economies will improve in the next two years.

In 2011, Malaysia’s trade with the Latin American countries was RM22.7 billion. Exports were valued at RM11 billion whereas imports amounted to RM 11.6 billion. Among the Latin American countries, Brazil was Malaysia’s largest trading partner with estimated trade of RM8.8 billion in 2011, followed by Mexico (RM6.2 billion in 2011).

INTRODUCTION

Opening: Worldwide South-South investment trends

Recent economic and business developments in Latin America: the macro-view

In-depth profiles of economies and business environment in selected individual countries:-
- Mexico
- Colombia
- Chile
- Peru
- Argentina
- Central America (Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama)
- Brazil

Selected sector opportunities

- Oil & gas
- Energy and electricity inclusive renewable
- Urban transport
- Highways
- Hospitals
- IT
- Education and training

Business investment & management issues for potential investors -
Market entry strategies: joint ventures, greenfield, acquisitions, etc.(overview of laws and practices)
- Working with local governments and businesses: specific practices
- Cultural issues
- Financial issues inclusive repatriation of profits, Forex regulations, etc
- Workforce training