The new new world

In the aftermath of the Latin American debt crises of the 1980s, six South American countries—Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile and Bolivia—joined economic forces in the 1990s to create Mercosur, the world's third largest trade bloc. With democratic governments and new economic controls in place, and monetary union a distinct possibility, South American economies once again seem attractive to industry and investors.

The New New World examines the politics, markets, infrastructure, commodities and demographics of the Mercosur and Andean Community nations. It evaluates the South American markets for both current and future investors and will aid your assessment of the viability and return on investments in this new world.

The South American countries have shown that they are indeed open to trade, most notably in the creation of Mercosur, the trade bloc of the Southern Cone of South America.

A devaluation in Brazil in 1999 and a liquidity crisis in Argentina in 2001 have forced the continent's two largest economies to adopt comprehensive legal and market reforms aimed at opening their economies to the outside world and offering a more efficient business model.

The South American cliches of dictatorial regimes, runaway inflation and arbitrary business rules are fading into the past, making way for new, improved markets within a more stable, sustainable and competitive business environment. It appears that investors' perceptions may have to change.

The New New World serves as a risk analysis tool for current and potential investors and businesses enticed by the trade talks to create the Free Trade Area of the Americas and theMercosur-European Union free trade negotiations. It is supported by case studies of major companies with interests in the South American market, and interviews with key players including Venezuela's enigmatic president, Hugo Chavez.

The New New World investigates whether confidence in the region is justified, growth is sustainable, and whether South America can finally live up to its economic potential.

"The bottom line is this: the developing countries that are catching up with the rich ones are those that are open to trade."

—Mike Moore, President of the World Trade Organisation

Introduction: Rediscovering a land of promise
1 A wild ride since the 1960s 1
2 Embracing neighbours and the world 24
3 Birth of a South American middle class? 54
4 Rules of the investment game 94
5 The Latin labour and business climate 119
6 A commodity cornucopia 142
7 The Latin Marshall Plan 170
8 The twilight of national currencies 224
9 Striking the Latin stance 242
10 'Ordem e Progresso' 263
Recommended reading and websites 276
Glossary of terms 278
Index 293