President Lula to participate at the World Economic Forum on Latin America

Co-Chair Interviews

Andrónico Luksic Craig, Vice-Chairman, Banco de Chile, Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Latin America, answers questions on Chile's economy and his hopes for the summit.

Zhou Zhongshu, President, China Minmetals Corporation, People's Republic of China, Co-Chair, The World Economic Forum on Latin America, discusses the developing relationship between China and Latin America.

By the end of 2007 there will be twelve democratically elected heads of government engaged in bringing change to Latin America. The World Economic Forum for Latin America in Santiago de Chile will provide a unique setting for understanding recent power shifts in the region, identifying new business opportunities, and drawing up economic policies to shape regional development.

Despite many economic challenges, Latin America has been able to take advantage of positive international trends, such as lower interest rates and higher prices of commodities like oil, copper, and agricultural products. As a result, the region has had three years of strong economic growth: nearly 6% in 2004, an average of 4.5% in 2005/2006, and an expected 4.2% for 2007. An increase in international trade, renewed capital flows, greater fiscal responsibility, improved current account management as well as higher reserves have helped to reduce the spreads on the Latin American debt.

The World Economic Forum’s roundtable key purpose is to assist Latin America’s well-established and growing industries to compete globally. Risk analysis and scenarios will reveal the opportunities and identify the challenges to shape the business environment in the future. The program revolves around world trends and issues, Latin America’s changing perspectives, recently elected government priorities, China-Latin America economic relations, infrastructure investments and equitable income distribution. The roundtable’s ultimate objective is to promote regional sustained economic growth along with equitable income distribution.

While Latin America’s main concerns continue to focus on risks management, enhanced competitiveness, trade integration and new investments, the 2007 roundtable’s program is designed around five guiding tracks.

1) World trends and issues
An update on the most recent global economic trends, the global energy outlook and a Global Risk Briefing Report focusing on business-critical regional risks and actionable mitigation strategies.

2) Changing perspectives and priorities in Latin America
In-depth analysis of power shifts in the region and their implications for regional competitiveness enhancement.

3) China and Latin America interregional trade and investments trends
Investments in Latin American infrastructure and energy are to be addressed, bearing in mind China’s top priorities and Chinese business strategies.

4) Understanding the mindset of Latin American policy-makers and business leaders
Covers an understanding of Chile’s challenges regarding political stability, macroeconomics management and poverty reduction.

5) Achieving equitable distribution of income in Latin America
Some of the priorities for action to be addressed are quality education for all, digital ecosystems for societal needs and innovation capabilities to tackle socio-economic imbalances.

Interview
Emilio Lozoya, Head of Latin America, World Economic Forum, gives a preview of the upcoming regional meeting of the World Economic Forum in Santiago de Chile.
En Espanol

Source : www.weforum.org