The Next China
FTI Journal
April 1, 2012
Lord Mark Malloch-Brown
Chairman of the Global Affairs Practice
Juan Pablo del Valle Perochena
Chairman of the Board of Mexichem
Frank Holder
Chairman of Latin America for FTI Consulting
Ron Denom
President of SNC-Lavalin International
Conor McEnroy
Chairman of Sudameris Bank and founder of the Abbyfield Group
Business leaders with deep experience in Latin America discuss how to overcome infrastructure and security pitfalls to seize opportunities in countries whose collective GDP is on par with China’s.
Throughout Latin America, a growing middle class is fueling a demand for cell phones, electronics and other modern amenities. The region’s rich land is a major supplier of food, oil and minerals to markets around the world, including China, Europe and the United States. Yet infrastructure, drug problems, disorganized political systems and resistance to democracy continue to present at least perceived challenges to those who seek to do business in Latin America.
FTI Journal recently convened a panel of business leaders with deep knowledge of Latin America to discuss the region’s untapped opportunities, its future in the world marketplace and the challenges that business leaders must overcome there.
South America is going through a renaissance. It’s a low-cost producer for hard commodities: metals, oil and gas.
The moderator was Mark Malloch-Brown, Chairman of Europe, Middle East and Africa for FTI Consulting. Panelists included Conor McEnroy, Chairman of Sudameris Bank and founder of the Abbyfield Group; Ron Denom, President of SNC-Lavalin International, Canada’s largest engineering and construction company and an investor in infrastructure concessions around the world; Frank Holder, Chairman of Latin America for FTI Consulting; and Juan Pablo del Valle Perochena, Chairman of the Board of Mexichem, the world leader in fluorspar production and the Latin American leader in plastic pipes and fittings.