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World Economic Forum Roundtable on Latin America to build a stronger region in the global economy

4 April 2006 - Geneva, Switzerland

The World Economic Forum roundtable on Latin America will take place in São Paolo, Brazil from 5-6 April. Held under the theme of "Building a Stronger Latin America in the Global Economy", the World Economic Forum on Latin America will provide a unique platform to assess the current economic outlook and influence the policy and regulatory environment which will allow the region to become more competitive on a global scale.

The World Economic Forum on Latin America brings together a select group of over 280 leaders from 27 countries. 71% of participants are business chiefs; 29 participants represent civil society while 16 heads of state, ministers and central bank governors are also taking part.

"In view of the presidential elections in Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela this year, the World Economic Forum on Latin America will provide a timely opportunity to discuss the main regional challenges, business prospects and public policy priorities," said Peter Torreele, Managing Director, World Economic Forum (photo). "The challenge for Latin America is whether the region can take advantage of the marked economic recovery to strengthen its competitiveness on a global scale, reconcile social and environmental concerns, and ensure sustained growth in the long term."

The roundtable’s programme focuses on four core themes: Managing the Impact of Global and Regional Risks, Improving Competitiveness, Continuing the Integration Agenda, and Re-evaluating the Investment Framework. It is structured mainly around workshops and group discussions to reinforce interaction and ensure the emergence of concrete proposals.

The roundtable is Co-Chaired by Jorge Gerdau Johannpeter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gerdau, Brazil, and Luis A. Moreno, President, Inter-American Development Bank, Washington DC. Regional integration is crucial for a prosperous future, Mr Moreno told the World Economic Forum in an interview. "The dollar GDP of Latin America is about US$ 2.2 trillion — 20% more than China and nearly three times that of India, and our region includes countries with a great diversity and wealth of resources and capabilities. I believe that in order to compete globally we have to pool our strengths and our scale through better infrastructure, deeper regional agreements and stronger supra-national institutions," Moreno said.

Key participants include: David Abney, President, UPS International, UPS, USA; Patrus Ananias, Minister of Social Development of Brazil; Pamela Cox, Vice-President, Latin America and Caribbean, World Bank, Washington DC; Andrew Crockett, President, JPMorgan Chase International, USA; Noreen M. Culhane, Executive Vice-President, New York Stock Exchange, USA; Soumitra Dutta, Dean of Executive Education, European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD), France; Clarisa Estol, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer, Banco Hipotecario, Argentina; Luiz Fernando Furlan, Minister of Development, Industry and Trade of Brazil; José Miguel Insulza, Secretary-General, Organization of American States; Pedro P. Kuczynski, Prime Minister of Peru; Henrique de Campos Meirelles, Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil; Mandisi Mpahlwa, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa; Moisés Naím, Editor-in-Chief, Foreign Policy Magazine, USA; Guillermo Ortiz, Governor of the Central Bank of Mexico; Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego, Chairman, Grupo Salinas, Mexico Martín P. Redrado, President of the Central Bank of Argentina; Ricardo Young Silva, President, Ethos Institute, Brazil; Anoop Singh, Director, Western Hemisphere Department, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington DC; Anthony Wayne, Acting US Undersecretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs.

Notes to Editors:

• For more information, visit www.weforum.org/latinamerica
• To learn more about the programme, visit www.weforum.org/latinamerica/programme
• To learn more about Latin America’s competitiveness, visit www.weforum.org/latinamerica/competitiveness
• To read interviews with key participants, visit www.weforum.org/latinamerica/indepth
• Download print-quality high resolution photographs during the World Economic Forum on Latin America free of charge here: www.pbase.com/forumweb/latinamerica2006

Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. (http://www.weforum.org)

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