Econ Americas
By Econ Americas
Econ AmericasMar 08, 2022
What Ecuador Needs to Tap into Her Mining Potential | Gabriela Guerrero
New investment opportunities are opening up in Ecuador’s mining sector. The government and industry leaders agree the time is now to tap into the nation’s full potential for natural resources. Gabriella Guerrero, an associate attorney in corporate and energy law at the Robalino Law Firm, explains how policymakers can work toward a healthier business environment to attract foreign capital. Although mining is a strategic sector for economic development, Guerrero explains a great deal of uncertainty surrounds it due to environmental and community hurdles.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/04/what-ecuador-needs-to-tap-her-mining-potential/
What Works in Latin America's Emerging Carbon Markets I Justin Cochrane
Conservation efforts in Latin America still need a lot of support and incentives in the private sector, and carbon markets are touted as a way to provide much-needed incentives for conservation. Justin Cochrane, director and CEO of Carbon Streaming, explains what carbon credits are and how they offer value to landowners while protecting forests and reducing carbon emissions at the same time.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/03/what-works-in-latin-americas-emerging-carbon-markets/
How Miami Startups Offer Exposure to Latin America
Outside Silicon Valley, there are vibrant tech industries catering to overlooked niches. Alexis Alston, a senior associate at the early-stage VC fund Lightship Capital, explains how entrepreneurs in South Florida are tapping into migrant communities’ needs across countries.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/02/how-miami-startups-offer-exposure-to-latin-america
What Works Better than Checkbook Diplomacy in LatAm
Mining gets a bad rap in Latin America due to its environmental and social impact. Ivan Bebek, a veteran mining executive with extensive business experience in the region, explains how a new generation of firms have turned the page on checkbook diplomacy and instead work out tailored solutions with local communities.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/01/what-works-better-checkbook-diplomacy-in-latam
What Latin America Needs to Attract Mining Capital
Mining is a major source of foreign direct investment in Latin America. Mark Brennan, a Colombia-born mining executive with 30 years of financing and operating experience in the Americas and Europe, explains how countries with rich deposits can attract responsible investors.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/12/what-latin-america-mining-capital-attract
Brazil’s Rocky Road to Economic Reform
The Bolsonaro administration in Brazil had campaigned on major pension, tax, and privatization reforms. Maurício Bento, an economist with the São Paulo Court of Accounts and with the Property Rights Alliance, explains which ones have succeeded, which ones have not, and why.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/11/brazil-economic-reform-rocky-road/
Honduran Startup Cities Race to Prove Worth
The Honduran startup cities—autonomous jurisdictions known as Zones for Employment and Economic Development (ZEDEs)—have barely gotten off the ground and are already facing one of their largest hurdles: elections. Guillermo Peña, a political analyst, entrepreneur, and technical secretary for the Orquídea ZEDE, explains the opposition to ZEDEs and how they could boost investment in Honduras.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/10/honduran-startup-cities-zedes-race-prove-worth/
Ecuador Back on the Radar of Investors
The new Guillermo Lasso administration is injecting optimism into Ecuador. Juan Fernando Carpio, an economics instructor and business consultant, believes long-term investment is on the rise, although key reforms are required to unleash the dollarized economy’s full potential.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/09/ecuador-investors-back-on-the-radar
Why Mexico Leads FDI in Latin America
In 2020, Mexico surpassed Brazil as the largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Latin America. For Rafael Ramírez de Alba, an economics professor and experienced financial consultant, there are plenty of investment opportunities in the auto industry, agriculture, construction, and tech.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/08/why-mexico-fdi-leads-latin-america/
What Investors Want to See from Bolivia
Bolivia has vast untapped resources in oil, gas, and mining. However, for economist and wealth manager Mauricio Ríos García, investment has dried up after years of institutional degradation.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/07/what-investors-bolivia-want-to-see/
Latin American Tax Havens and Tax Hells
Governments across the world are reversing a decades-long trend of low corporate taxation. Martín Litwak, an expert in wealth and fund structuring, explains what this means for Latin American tax havens and tax hells.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/06/latin-american-tax-havens-tax-hells/
How Free Trade Zones Built Panama
Panama City’s impressive skyline has a little-known origin: spillover benefits from the country’s vibrant free trade zones. Surse Pierpoint, a Panamanian entrepreneur and the former manager of Colón’s Free Port, walks us through the transformative potential of trade in Central America and its opportunities for investors.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/05/how-panamas-free-trade-zones-built/
Latin America’s Thirst for Cryptoassets
In most developed countries, cryptoassets are mainly speculation assets. In Latin America, on the other hand, they function as money and cross-border payment vehicles. Cristóbal Pereira, a Chilean entrepreneur and financial educator, explains the crypto industry’s potential for the millions of unbanked and underbanked.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/04/cryptoassets-in-latin-america-thirst/
Cannabis and Real-Estate Investments in Colombia
Colombia is a success story in Latin America: a country that has left rampant violence behind and now attracts high levels of foreign investment. Jorge Castro, a Colombian businessman and financial consultant, describes opportunities in real estate and other promising industries such as fintech and cannabis.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/03/cannabis-real-estate-investments-in-colombia/
Why Invest in Latin America in 2021
Real negative interest rates in much of the developed world are pushing investors to look for yields in emerging markets. What does Latin America have to offer? Fergus Hodgson, the director of Econ Americas, joins us for our inaugural podcast episode.
Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/02/why-invest-in-latin-america-in-2021/