Has China has become Latin America’s lender of last resort ?
Has China has become Latin America’s lender of last resort ? As soon as Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner landed in Beijing this week she began lauding new deals with what she called the world’s “No. 1 economy,” ranging from two proposed nuclear power plants to joint space exploration. With her country’s economy contracting and its supply of dollars dwindling, Fernandez arrived Monday looking for help from China, which has already lent Argentina $14 billion since…
Chile’s Economy Rebounds as investor confidence returns
Chile’s Economy Rebounds as investor confidence returns The Imacec index, a proxy for gross domestic product, rose 2.9 percent from a year earlier, the central bank said, beating the 2 percent median forecast of 19 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Wages leaped 7.2 percent over the same period, the National Statistics Agency said in a separate report, the second-fastest pace since March 2009. Chile’s economy is showing the first signs of picking up following the slowest growth since the 2009 recession in…
KMPG’S Indirect Tax Guide to South America
KMPG’S Indirect Tax Guide to South America has been updated Here is a very informative indirect tax guide to doing Real Estate business in Latin America done by KMPG. Always seek to quantify and qualify if there have been any recent changes. ( believe me, there will have been ) About Gateway to South AmericaGateway to South America is an independent Brokerage and Advisory company committed to helping foreign investors to invest in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. ShareShareTweetWhatsAppEmail
Argentina outspends the rest of Latin America in education
Argentina outspends the rest of Latin America in education Argentina is one of the biggest investors in education throughout Latin America, according to an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development study, which noted that Argentina allocated 6.3 percent of its GDP to education in 2012, compared to the five-percent average for the region and 5.6 percent for the OECD as a whole. The OECD is made up by an estimated 80 countries. President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner praised the study yesterday,…
Why Potential Investors in Chile should not use the Investor Visa
The “Investor Visa” in Chile although easy to obtain in the first year is much more difficult to keep in the second year. With the investor visa you are essentially making the Chilean department of immigration your business partner in Chile. First, to apply for an investor visa in Chile you must submit a business plan along with documentation related to things such as financing, incorporation plans, possibly any partnerships, and so on. This normally increases dramatically upfront cost required and time…
Lapostolle Residence, Colchagua Valley, Chile
When Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle came to Chile’s Colchagua Valley two decades ago, the area was a viticultural backwater. But the Grand Marnier heiress, who cofounded the valley’s Lapostolle winery in 1994, was convinced she could coax first growth–quality vintages from the granitic soil. Her premier blend, Clos Apalta, attests her prescience, most convincingly with its selection as Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year in 2008. That same year, Lapostolle launched another Colchagua Valley first: a luxury…
A new study shows Argentina is a relatively safe country in which to live
WHO figures show Argentina is relatively safe country in world’s most violent region Homicide rates in Latin America are the highest in the world — clocking in at 28.5 per 100,000 inhabitants — but estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) place Argentina in line with the best in the region with about six homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. According to the WHO, in 2012 165,617 people were murdered in Latin America and the Caribbean, making up about 35 percent of the the 475,000 homicides committed…
Chilean agriculture is expected to become part of the 10 largest food exporters in the world by 2020
Agriculture in Chile is a strategically important sector. The objective is to make Chile part of the 10 largest food exporters in the world by 2020. At the moment Chile is round about No: 20. From the beginning of this century food export increased by an average of 12% annually. Further processing and surplus values are central in the policy. Primary production is only a small part of the gross national product. Because of the closed-in position of the country sanitary provisions are second to none and these…
Global Food Security Depends on Modern Agricultural Techniques
Studies released at a symposium in Washington, D.C. underscored the wide range of benefits modern agriculture has provided to society and emphasized the importance of continued innovation and new technologies to meeting growing global food, feed, fiber and industrial needs. Research presented by a diverse group of experts in agriculture, economics, conservation and food security detailed how technological advancements employed on farms and across the food chain have provided an abundant, safe, affordable food…
Is the International money transfer system about to change due to US Interference in the existing one ?
You probably know the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) system as that little jumble of letters and numbers you need every time you send money to a foreign bank account. It’s the global banking system’s address book and postal system. SWIFT has more than 10,000 members in more than 200 countries, and handles more than 15 million messages daily. But even though SWIFT is based in Belgium, and subject to EU law, the U.S. government claims legal authority over all SWIFT transactions…
How to choose an effective selling broker in South America
South America’s real estate market can be characterised by two important facts. Properties take longer to sell and have higher transaction costs than in most Western countries Why? Although it is slowly changing there is considerable informal selling both by vendors directly and speculative pricing. The end result is a confused market with little price transparency and few skilled brokers available. (Selling skills can be obtained two ways; by experience through selling large numbers of properties or by specialised…
Foreigners can retire Income Tax Free in Chile
Retire Income Tax Free in Chile! Chile does not impose income tax on foreign pensions or social security of foreigners with residency in Chile. This is in addition to other tax benefits for all new residents of Chile, such as the three year foreign income tax exemption or any dual tax treaties that may exist between Chile and other countries. No income tax on Foreign Pensions and Social Security in Chile! One of the greatest benefits of retiring in Chile even if you are not really near retirement age is the…
Southern Chile economy is booming
The Southern region of Chile has the most dynamic and fastest-growing economy in the country. Magallanes region in the extreme south of Chile, was the most dynamic of the country’s economy during the third quarter of the year according to the latest release from the local stats office, INE. This contrasts with the rest of the fourteen regions of the country of which six, reported negative growth. The Regional Economic Activity Indicator, Inacer, showed that in the third quarter, the regions of Magallanes,…
The new farming frontier in South America
The new farming frontier in South America Commodity prices may be weaker but South American food producers still enjoy formidable comparative advantages. Foreign investors seeking to benefit from the enormous pick up in Chinese demand for agricultural commodities grown in Latin America have however had a fairly complicated time. A 2010 law limits direct foreign ownership of land in Brazil. Tax and foreign constraints also limit the profitability of farming in Argentina and listed agribusiness stocks are few…
A Guide to Dairy Investment in Latin America
A Guide to Dairy Investment in Latin America With an average growth rate of 5% a year, South American dairy production appears to be a strong market for investment, despite a certain degree of price and political instability. According to a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report, rising incomes and firm regional and international demand have favored dairy production growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. South American milk production expanded by over 5% in 2011 and a similar rate of increase was…
