The North American Free Trade Agreement is ripe for an update that benefits all parties. But if the US decides to pull out, Mexico is confident that its network of agreements and many enacted reforms will enable it to thrive, says the country’s secretary of foreign affairs, Luis Videgaray Caso.
Despite a wealth of natural resources, Venezuela has turned into an economic and humanitarian disaster zone. As it teeters on the edge of default, Silvia Pavoni examines what may become the most complex sovereign debt restructuring in modern times – and a test of how China handles troubled foreign investments.
Why are capital markets in developing countries so far behind those of their more developed neighbours? The Banker spoke to experts at an International Finance Corporation conference to discuss strategies for getting things moving. Edited by Silvia Pavoni.
Recent extreme weather has threatened the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector, the country’s single largest generator of foreign direct investment. But investors are confident about its sturdy infrastructure, and its ability to fight off the Caribbean competition. By Lucinda Elliott with additional reporting by Silvia Pavoni.
With an urgent need for better infrastructure, the Dominican Republic is keen to attract more private investment. It is introducing new laws to offer guarantees to investors, but insists deals must benefit the country too. Silvia Pavoni reports.
The Dominican Republic banking sector is solid, profitable and growing, thanks to the industry of the small local businesses that are driving the loans market. Meanwhile, banks have worked to diversify following the 2003 crisis, leading to greater stability, as Silvia Pavoni reports.
The Dominican Republic has weathered regional recession and extreme weather to emerge as a Caribbean leader for GDP growth, driven by tourism. Government measures to strengthen both the economy and physical infrastructure have been recognised with a rating upgrade, as Silvia Pavoni reports.
While Brazil's banks appear to have ridden out the country's recession, lenders from Chile and Argentina also make strong showings in the The Banker's Top 200 Latin American Banks ranking. However, uncertainty around Nafta continues to pose problems in Mexico. Silvia Pavoni reports.
The CEO of Brazil’s beleaguered state oil producer Petrobras, Pedro Parente, talks to Silvia Pavoni about the scandal-riven company's five-year plan to reduce its debts, how it is handling mounting environmental concerns, and what it is doing to cope in an era of low commodity prices.
Chile has suffered an economic slowdown in the past few years as the price of its main export, copper, tumbled. However, efforts to diversify investment and increase competition are paying off. Now the country must leverage its reputation for stability and hold a steady fiscal course amid political elections in order to continue its hard-won progress, writes the country's finance minister.