Latin America is in an excellent position to lead the global economic recovery. The expectations and opportunities for foreign investment are growing and turning this continent into an exciting place to start a business. Some of the best business opportunities are now in Latin America; with lots to offer, attractive incentives for new companies to invest, an abundance of natural resources and good human talent. For these reasons and more, LATAM is a good business option.

1. LatinAmerica - A Potential Market?
Why Latin America?
Latin America is in an excellent position to lead the global economic recovery. The expectations
and opportunities for foreign investment are growing and turning this continent into an exciting
place to start a business. Some of the best business opportunities are now in Latin America; with
lots to offer, attractive incentives for new companies to invest, an abundance of natural resources
and good human talent. For these reasons and more, LATAM is a good business option.
The Opportunity
According to the LATIA (Latin American Investment Association), over the next decade, Latin
America will be an important area of global influence, both economically, in terms of tourism,
and also in the expansion of the resources sectors, such as mining, oil and gas, forestry and
finance. Latin America has become attractive to new investors as a place to diversify
internationally and within various industries. The growth of businesses in the region, coupled
with good investment management, has allowed several Latin American companies to gain
international recognition.
Key Opportunities by Region
The following country analysis, given by our professional BLH Country Managers, explain why
you should consider investment within the regions of Latin America; particularly Peru,
Colombia, Chile and Mexico.
Peru

2. Peru is fast becoming a mining powerhouse, with the mining sector experiencing the fastest
growth in modern history; with the sector now accounting for over 50% of foreign currency,
20% of tax revenue and 11% of gross domestic product. The country is an attractive market for
establishing a legal entity, allowing 100% foreign ownership and minimal capital controls, and a
relatively attractive company tax rate.
“According to the data published by the agency of “Promoción de la Inversión Privada en el
Perú” (Pro Inversion), there are four (4) points to explain why it is a good decision to invest in
Peru:
(i) Macroeconomic Soundness; since in recent years GDP has grown rapidly (by 1.3%
from 2015 to date), 4.0% in June 2016 and with a total growth estimated at 4.3% to 2017.
(ii) Favorable Investment Climate; Peru is one of the Latin American countries with the
greater macroeconomic stability, registering one of the lowest inflation rates at regional level
(3%), compared to Chile (3.7%), Mexico (3.9%), Colombia (4.2%) and Brazil (5.9%). Also
during the past 10 years, Peru has maintained a stable exchange rate and a country risk level
below the regional average, consequently reducing the loss risk of the capital invested in the
country.
(iii) Policy Trade Integration; Peru offers a favorable legal framework for foreign
investment, in which the emphasis is on non-discriminatory treatment, free movement of capital,
free competition and freedom to access internal and external credit. Finally, Peru has
(iv) Potential Sectors for Good Investment; particularly the mining sector; ranking as the
third largest worldwide producer of copper, silver, tin and zinc, the largest producer in Latin
America of gold, zinc, tin and lead, and the second largest producer of copper, silver, mercury,
diatomite, rock phosphate and molybdenum. Moreover, Peru is one of the few countries in the

3. world with non-metallic minerals of diatomite, bentonite, limestone and phosphates, among
others.
Many consider that the election of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (PPK) as the new President of Peru,
will have a very positive effect on the Peruvian economy and foreign investment will be highly
supported. PPK was sworn in as President on 28 July, 2016, and with his background as a former
World Bank Official and Wall Street banker, he has lifted investor’s hopes with a plan for
infrastructure investment, small business assistance and job programs. PPK is said to be looking
to increase foreign investment and grow the country’s all important mining and banking sectors.
“This President is going to be very good for Peru,” said Epiphany’s Mr. Creixell, who holds
positions in Credicorp, Southern Copper, Buenaventura as well as Peru’s iShares ETF. “He’s
going to be good for the markets …and good for the international community.”
Finally, like other countries across Latin America, Peru is becoming more and more welcoming
to outside investors and this can be clearly seen from the country’s company incorporation
requirements. A Peruvian company can be 100% owned by foreign shareholders and there are
minimal (token) capital requirements for incorporation. The same goes for the opening of
standard company bank accounts with local Peruvian banking institutions; the opening deposit
requirements are minimal, i.e. USD$100 or PEN500 at present. All of which make business in
Peru for foreigners to be more accessible and attractive”. – Cheryl Harvey, PBS Country
Manager.
Colombia
“A strong democracy where it is worth investing. The slow-down of the global commerce and
the financial uncertainty following the UK ‘Brexit’, is prompting a wave of investment in Latin
America coming from different countries around the world.

4. Colombia is the largest economy within the Andean region, with a national GDP of USD$378Bn
(2013), and is the only country in South America with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and
the Caribbean Sea. The country is an attractive market for establishing a legal entity,
allowing 100% foreign ownership, limited capital controls, cheap operating costs and a relatively
attractive company tax rate.
Colombia is considered as one of the rising stars of Latin America in terms of growth. Expected
to grow its GDP by 2.7% in 2016, the country is consolidating its position as an obvious choice
when looking for a friendly country in which to do business within the LATAM region. The
United States with 32%, UK with 20%, Spain with 11% and Chile with 6%, represent nearly
70% of the current total foreign investment in Colombia.
Highly qualified workers and relatively low salaries compared to other Latin American
countries, are other key advantages of investing in Colombia.
The Colombian Government is preparing to invest USD 12.2 Billion in the country’s
infrastructure over the next 4 years. The main projects involve motorways, ports, airports and
social housing. This will have a positive repercussion, both for the country’s competitiveness and
the quality of life for its people.
A recent plebiscite in which Colombians rejected a draft peace agreement between the
Colombian Government and the oldest armed group in the American Continent – FARC – will
without doubt slow down the implementation of a final peace agreement. With this vote, the
current Government will need to renegotiate some of the draft agreements in order to gain a
wider buy in from voters and the main opposition party now has a seat at the table of
negotiations. While this is likely to slow down a final peace accord, we judge it will lead to a
better overall agreement.

5. Colombia has demonstrated that as a growing economy, it is willing to learn from the past and to
receive the future with open arms, offering friendly and secure business conditions for foreigners
willing to invest in the region.” – Fernando Merchán Ramos, CBS Country Manager &
General Counsel.
Chile
“Although international markets have slowed and the impacts of this recessionare still
being felt, Chile is still a very good option for investors.
Rating agencies have increased or maintained high growth rates for the country, due to its low
public debt, a healthy financial system and reliable institutions. According to the Business
Environment Ranking of the Economist Intelligence Units 2014-2016, Chile took 13th place out
of 82 economies.
In the latest report by the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development),
Chile was positioned at number 17 of the nations with the largest foreign direct investment in
2015, with an inflow of USD 20.2 billion. With this, Chile takes third place in Latin America
after Brazil and Mexico. Chile is also known for its transparency; according to the Transparency
International's 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index, Chile is ranked at number 23 out of 168
countries.
Chilean business links are well established with the international community and the country
remains an attractive market for foreign investment, due to its stable economy, good
infrastructure and large resources sector. As one of the most advanced economies within the
region, the country has few barriers for establishing and operating a business, however the
operating costs tend to be higher than other Latin American countries due to the higher input
costs such as salaries, fuel, transport and other consumables.

6. With that in mind, the resources sector, which the country remains very dependent upon is facing
a number of challenges associated with low commodity prices, elevated input costs and a
scarcity of water and energy. Nevertheless, these challenges also present an opportunity for
foreign companies and/or investors that can bring to market higher energy efficient
systems, water management systems, energy efficient desalination technology, low water-use
mineral processing technologies and training and practices linked to improved productivity and
systems that reduce operating costs.
Combining the opportunities above with the abundance of local human capital, Chile remains a
land of opportunity. Supporting this is the high level of education provided from local
institution’s, whereby Chile has two of the top ten universities in Latin America, according to the
Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Chile is also positioned in 25th place among
100 economies in the Global Talent Index 2015 of The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Finally, Chile has a variety of landscapes and a special Mediterranean climate for tourism.
Security, the political environment and its modernity, make Chile one of the countries with the
best quality of life in Latin America. Chile's capital, Santiago, is catalogued as one of the best
cities to live in Latin America. The country was evaluated in place 29 of 162 countries within the
Global Peace Index study of 2015”. – Ivette Avaria, CIB Country Manager.
Mexico
“Mexico is tipped to be one of the world’s top 5 economies by 2050. This can be explained in
part by the rapidly growing automotive and finance sectors, as well as the bold reforms pushed
through by President Peña Nieto’s administration in the energy sector.
Mexico’s is Latin Americas second largest economy, with a strong extractive sector and a
population of over one hundred and twenty million people. And recently rated by the World
Bank as the best jurisdiction in the Region to do business.

7. Mexico’s alignment with the Western culture and its proximity to the US has helped persuade
international companies to favour the country as a reliable location for production and
manufacturing activities. Companies and individuals looking at foreign direct investment in
Mexico are drawn by the fact that the nation has a large pool of human talent covering a wide
range of services and industries at all levels of skill set. Foreign investors are attracted by
reduced manufacturing costs, high quality work and a lower payroll burden relative to Europe or
even China.
Recent changes to the Mexican Foreign Investment Law mean that the process is very
transparent, and as a result, many foreign entrepreneurs have followed the lead of large multi-
nationals by identifying business opportunities and setting up innovative start-ups across the
country, and often thanks to the help of organizations such as the Mexican Association of
Venture Capital and Private Equity (MEXCAP) and the National Institute of Entrepreneurship
(INADEM).” – Alex Mahoney, MBS Country Manager.
Where can you go to learn more or for help?
Biz Latin Hub (BLH), provides a complete and comprehensive package of Back Office
Services to help foreign companies who are interested in investment within Latin America. With
offices in Peru, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Argentina and Panama, BLH are a leader in:
 Market Entry Evaluation and Studies.
 Accounting, Financial and Taxation Services.
 Immigration and Legal Services.
 Recruitment Services.
 Real Estate and Executive Relocation Services.

8. BIZ LATIN HUB is owned and managed by an experienced team of Local and Expatriate
professionals, dedicated to assisting our clients in navigating their way through the complexities
of the Latin American business environment.