Because even if some countries are still trying to overcome some difficulties, the continent is growing at a fast pace. Growing means more business, and more business means wealth. I am reading a lot about new companies doing business in Latin America, increasing their local budgets, hiring new personnel in key Latino markets and pitching new business opportunities in the region. 2007 was the first year in which I got emails from my clients telling me to increase budgets in Latino key markets and help them identify business opportunities even in the smaller Latin American markets.
As of today, I will start a series of reports and interviews to business and government leaders involved in the promotion of business between the Americas. I thought it would be interesting to start with a list of websites, blogs and portals I consider to have valuable information in English about Latin America and help increase your knowledge about the region.
Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America -
Mission: The 23 AmChams in 21 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean provide a wide variety of services to their members and to the citizens of the countries in which they operate. The AmChams work diligently to contribute to the growth of trade and investment between their host countries and the United States. (AACCLA)
What to look for: Up-to-date information about policy making and mutual interests between Latin America and the USA.
What you cannot miss: Publications. The portal includes a list of the magazines that each AMCHAM publishes in Latin America. These magazines are a must-read source of information for any business focusing in Latin American markets. Amcham members are not only US companies doing business in these countries but local companies that have interests in reaching top US executives and officials. Amchams are also a great place for continuing your education and business knowledge as they facilitate information and present events and forums from the most varied topics.
Lanic - Latin American Network Information Resources
Mission: to facilitate access to Internet-based information to, from, or on Latin America.
What to look for: The information in Lanic is divided in sections, topics, interests and regions. It is easy to find specific reports and they have more than 12,000 links of useful information (not that I visited them all but they are well organized and respond to the needs of someone searching for specific data).
What you cannot miss: “Country’s Section”. In every link you’ll find a complete guide to each country’s institutions (private and public).
Latin Trade -
The magazine managed by Mike Zellner has contributed during 15 years to increase the knowledge of the Latino and Hispanic business leaders in the USA and in Latin America. The online version can be accessed in English, Spanish and Portuguese. It covers non-profit and multilateral organization’s affairs and is a good source of information about what Latin American companies are doing in the USA.
What you cannot miss: Forecast 2008.A must-read and easy to understand one page PDF format report with updated data of each Latin American country.
Top 500 companies in Latin America. A good sources of information and a list of top companies that you must read if you are looking to invest.
Business News Americas -
If you read in Spanish and need up-to-date and daily information of every industry and the most important companies in Latin America, this is a great guide.
What to look for: Updated information about American companies doing business in Latin America. New investments, people changing places, arrivals, product launches, strategies and market overview.
What you cannot miss: If you have a special interest in an industry or business in particular, you’ll find updated information using its industry tags.