Alberto Fernández & Cristina Kirchner sworn-in as Argentina's new Leaders

Reports Courtesy of:
15 December 2019

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​​Editor:
Thomas Manning

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​​Publisher:
Manning Group Limited​

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Vox
Trump just started a new trade war with … Brazil and Argentina?

President Donald Trump returned from the long Thanksgiving weekend ready to open up a new front in his trade war.

Trump announced on Twitter that the US would impose steel and aluminum tariffs on Brazil and Argentina in response to what the president described as the countries’ “massive devaluation of their currencies, which is not good for our farmers.”
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“Therefore, effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel & Aluminum that is shipped into the U.S. from those countries,” Trump said...
Government of Chile
Chile Reports: Official information about the process taking place in Chile

In a regional and international context marked by high levels of uncertainty, to which Chile has not been immune, we believe it is essential to provide accurate and timely information about the process taking place in our country in order to offer tools that can help different actors and sectors in their decision-making.

To the end, the Government of Chile has put at your disposal 'Chile Reports', a repository of official information (in English and Spanish) with data about the state of logistics services such as transport, roads, ports and airports as well as about tourism and hotel services. It also contains official press releases and information about the sector-specific measures on which we are working....
ENGLISH LANGUAGE BUSINESS NEWS BY COUNTRY
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LATIN AMERICAN COMMENTARY
​Media Columnist; ​Thomas Manning​
Buenos Aires Times
​New Zealand - The Loss of Innocence
EMA BusinessPlus Magazine
​Brazil's Messiah
'Neoliberal Denouement in Chile'
 Latin America Columnist: Thomas Manning
DIPLOMATIC NEWS
Chilean Ambassador to New Zealand HE Rodrigo Espinosa Marty received a courtesy call by Cuba's new Ambassador to New Zealand, H.E. Edgardo Valdés López at the Embassy of Chile in Wellington after Ambassador Valdés presented his credentials to the Governor General - Photo credit; @EmbChileNZ
Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon  Winston Peters received the Mexican Ambassador to New Zealand HE Alfredo Peréz Bravo at Parliament on 8 December.   The Ambassador presented Minister Peters with an outline of a work plan describing the measures to be taken to develop the bilateral relationship - Photo credit @PerezBravoA
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Staff of the New Zealand High Commission in Barbados and the High Commissioner HE Anton Ojala joined the Royal Commonwealth Society Barbados Branch and Bridgetown's Combermere School on December 9 to fluff and decorate Christmas trees including one decorated "Kiwi Style" !
Photo credit -  @NZinCaribbean
'Flight of the Phoenix'
Cristina Kirchner rising from the ashes of Macri's failed presidency 
Latin America Columnist: Thomas Manning
VIDEO - LATIN AMERICAN / NZ BUSINESS & ECONOMICS​​
Inclusive Growth and Expanding the Middle Class in Latin America

​The Dialogue is delighted to host this event marking the Washington launch of the McKinsey Global Institute’s latest report, “Latin America’s missing middle: Rebooting inclusive growth.” According to the report, Latin America used to be the world’s most prosperous emerging region, but it is on the verge of being overtaken by other regions that were considerably poorer. The bottom 90 percent in Latin American households consumes just 64 percent of the total, the lowest share in the world. Our discussion will focus on new data brought to light in the report and explore strategies for reversing these trends, including ways digital and technological advances in the region could help reboot inclusive growth and regain lost ground.
Mining in Latin America What trade and investment opportunities are available

​As the political landscape in many Latin American countries has stabilised in recent times and we see Governments become more pro-business, international companies, especially Australian ones, are increasingly looking to capitalise on the vast natural resources the continent has to offer; by means of investing in, exploring and/or operating within, or supplying products or services to. But to enter into business in the region, it is important that Australian companies partner with local companies. So how do they do that?
The importance of equality | John Banks, Politician, Entrepreneur & Businessman

The Honourable John Banks is the epitome of the rags-to-riches story, building a varied and successful career as a politician, entrepreneur, businessman, restaurateur, property developer and broadcaster from a very tough childhood. John's former political roles include Member of Parliament for the National Party, Minister of Police, Leader of Act New Zealand, and the 38th Mayor of Auckland City. He is also credited with playing a significant role in the development of the Auckland restaurant scene. 
'Simón Bolívar’s Legacy' 
Columnist: Thomas Manning
LATIN AMERICAN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS​
December 4, 2019

Next year’s growth prospects for Latin America were slashed for the fifth month running in December, with regional activity seen modestly picking up mainly on strengthening momentum in Brazil and Mexico. Argentina is poised to remain in recession for the third consecutive year. Heightened social tensions, policy uncertainty and tepid global demand cloud the outlook.

Regional inflation slipped to a 15-month low of 6.9% in October (September: 7.5%). Economic slack has kept inflation within the target range of most countries’ monetary authorities recently. The notable exceptions are Argentina and Venezuela, where FX weakness continued to stoke price pressures. Inflation is projected to subside further ahead, particularly in Argentina and Mexico.....
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Costa Rica Enacts Corporate Criminal Liability

Costa Rica is the latest country in Latin America to establish corporate criminal liability for acts of corruption, following the recent implementation of similar legislation in Argentina (2018) and Peru (2018), expanded criminal liability in Chile (2018), and enhanced administrative liability in Colombia (2016).

Despite Costa Rica’s relatively positive rankings on international corruption surveys compared to much of Latin America, corruption remains a significant issue in the country. This summer, Costa Rica’s legislature enacted Legislative Decree 9699 (the “New Law”) which imposes corporate criminal liability for corruption offenses already on the books—including both domestic and foreign bribery—and creates a new criminal offense of accounting fraud.... 
'Black Gold Bonanza for Guyana' 
Columnist: Thomas Manning
BUSINESS TRAVEL


​Newshub
Air New Zealand named best airline for 2020

Air New Zealand is flying high after being named the world's best airline for 2020 (Air NZ 777 at Buenos Aires' Ezeiza Airport pictured right).  The title is given out by Australian-based Airlinesratings.com, and sees the national carrier edge out last year's winner Singapore Airlines.  It's the sixth time Air New Zealand has won the award. Factors leading to the airline winning the award included its record-breaking performance, multi-award-winning in-flight innovations, operations safety, environmental leadership and motivation of its staff, Airlinesrating.com said.....

Travelocity
Five Star Hotels in Guyana

Looking for your own little slice of heaven during your next trip? Check out all the best 5 star hotels in Guyana to make sure your trip is as extravagantly comfortable as you expect.

Many of the five star hotels have award-winning restaurants you can dine at, as well as plush bedding and a concierge service to take care of your every need. Most also offer pools and modern fitness centers, not to mention high-speed Wi-Fi....


​Forbes Travel Guide
30 Caribbean Hotels You Have To Visit

When the Caribbean comes up in conversations, phrases like “white sands,” “azure waters” and “warm smiles” are often used as descriptors. But after witnessing the collective strength the region has demonstrated following a string of natural disasters over the past few years, “resilient souls” should probably be added to the narrative.

Forbes Travel Guide’s editors curated a list of properties that capture the spirit of the Caribbean with a strong sense of place, sterling facilities and warm, anticipatory service—from a romantic getaway in Bermuda to a minimalist gem in St. Bart’s.....
'Crouching Tiger' - Latin America in China's sights
Columnist: Thomas Manning

​CULTURAL NEWS​​
Stuff.co.nz
Hacienda Zuleta:
A gem in the highlands of Ecuador

​​Estefania was her name – a glossy, dark, South American beauty with a sweet nature.

I've never ridden a horse so well-mannered, obedient and eager-to-please. Unlike horses in New Zealand, she was trained to respond to the touch of the reins on her neck not the bit in her mouth so the gentlest of pressure had her turning left or right, and the slightest squeeze of my heels at her sides prompted her to trot or canter. And she slowed with the lightest pull on the reins. Estefania was a dream to ride.
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Her high-stepping gait was quite different from Kiwi horses too, characteristic of the Zuletenos, a cross between Andalusian, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse, bred at Hacienda Zuleta where we were staying.
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We were riding across the lush green pastures of Hacienda Zuleta, a 2000-hectare property in the northern highlands of Ecuador about an hour and a half from Quito Airport and just 30km south of the equator.

Since 1995, the historic homestead at Zuleta has been operating as a boutique lodge, welcoming guests from all round the world.....
Lonely Planet
From churros to crab enchiladas, eat your way through Puerto Vallarta

More than just a Mexican beach town for surfing and sunning, Puerto Vallarta’s cobblestone center and oceanfront promenade is an important culinary destination in itself.

Now, local food traditions, many centuries old, combined with fresh ingredients from land and sea, means an ever-expanding list of options – and many dirt cheap – to enjoy. 

Chop, chop, chop in nonstop succession, surrounded by locals, a plump man with a miniature mustache swiftly pulls meat from his street cart grill and pulverizes the cabeza (cow’s head) on a wooden block with his cleaver. 

​At El Chulo, beef cheek tacos are a must. No part of the cow’s head is wasted, including the eyeball and tongue.

​This 40-year-old taco stand at Aguacate 216 specializes in meat that is slow-cooked for 4-5 hours and has a loyal following....  
The Hollywood Reporter
​​From Brazil to Mexico: Shooting Stars South of the Border for Films

​Versatile locales, experienced crews and generous incentives in these five Latin American regions offer an irresistible lure to Hollywood tentpoles, international art house titles and high-concept Netflix projects.

Brazil cinema has had a great year, with high visibility at international festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, Toronto and Locarno. 

In addition to a thriving commercial industry with highly qualified technicians, Chile boasts diverse yet easily accessible geographic locations that have been a steady draw for international producers. 

Colombia’s generous tax incentives make it one of the most attractive countries in Latin America for international productions. 

Mexico’s generous tax incentives, plus its proximity to the U.S., have been a boon to its locations industry. 

Uruguay, one of the smallest countries in the region, is relatively new to the international co-production scene, having announced its ambitious incentive program only last year.
'New Zealand and the Loss of Innocence'
Columnist: Thomas Manning'

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'Brazil's Messiah' - A new President takes Charge
Columnist: Thomas Manning

PUBLISHER & EDITOR
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​'Latin American Business Digest' © is a free fortnightly E-digest aggregating New Zealand - Latin American Business News, Economic Analysis, Market Reports & Video published by Manning Group Limited and edited by Thomas Manning who has advised on and managed projects for New Zealand companies in Latin America for over 30 years,  Thomas is a former Vice President of the Latin America New Zealand Business Council and is a Buenos Aires Times Columnist who also writes regularly for EMA's BusinessPLus Magazine. Thomas' Linkedin Profile & Media Archive

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'Quid Pro Quo for Venezuela'
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With 40 years’ marketplace experience and exports to more than twenty countries from its plant in Rosario, Argentina, Condor Group SRL is a world-class manufacturer with divisions dedicated to industrial power generation, industrial air compressors and pneumatic equipment, and specialized tyre reconstruction for commercial fleet operators.
Richardson & Associates is the Southern Cone's leading Law Firm & Patent Attorneys specalising in New Zealand Trade
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Transpacific Business Tours’ directors have a successful track-record of over 30 years in tour management in New Zealand and throughout Latin America with a focus on Delegations & Trade Missions as well as personally guided tours tailored for investors & business people.
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Transpolar flight grows NZ trade opportunities in Latin America
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