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World Economic Forum on Latin America
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 14-16 April 2009
"Implications of the Global Economic Crisis for Latin America"
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The 2009 World Economic Forum on Latin
America allowed the over 550
government, business and civil society
leaders who gathered in Rio to consider the
international community’s approach to the
unfolding global economic crisis and assess
how the Latin America and the Caribbean
region is addressing the multiple challenges
posed by the turmoil...
Download the Report
Thursday 16 April
 Policies for Productive development in Brazil
Brazil is implementing comprehensive policies to promote competitiveness and sustainability. Nevertheless, various challenges remain ahead. One of the most important ones is the reform of the tax system which, according to Aloizio Mercadante, Federal Senator of Brazil, “needs to be be urgently simplified”. Indeed, Professor Ricardo Hausmann, Director of the Center for International Development, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA, confirmed that Brazil has the highest tax intake of the developing world. Other important reforms, such as in the sector of clean energies, and democracy were also discussed during this session.
Summaries I Photos
 Latin America seeks new investment frontiers
To ensure economic growth and improve distribution of wealth, Latin American countries need to attract outside investment. Their sights are set on Asia and the Middle East, but those regions are dealing with their own issues in this newly shaken global economy. How can these vast and geographically distant regions find mutually beneficial solutions? “The era of OECD countries being the centre of the universe is over,” said Kellie Meiman, Managing Director, McLarty Associates, USA, at the World Economic Forum on Latin America in Rio de Janeiro.
Summaries | Photos
 How to unleash Brazil's full competitiveness potential
The Brazil Competitiveness Report 2009—a comprehensive overview of the country’s current competitiveness landscape, highlighting its strengths as well as its problematic areas—made its debut today at the World Economic Forum on Latin America in Rio de Janeiro. The Forum’s Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab says the report “is being published at an important moment for Brazil’s national competitiveness agenda, given the challenges brought about by the current global economic downturn.”
Press release | Global Competitiveness Network | Download the report (PDF)
Wednesday 15 April
Brazil to emerge from economic crisis sooner than most
 “Brazil is expected to emerge from the current global crisis before the average of the world economy,” said Henrique de Campos Meirelles, Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil, during a session on responses to global economic uncertainties at the World Economic Forum on Latin America in Rio de Janeiro. He said that the future was still uncertain, but recent indicators point to a recovery in several sectors, including the automotive industry and retailing.
Press release I Photos | Summary
Latin American Social Entrepreneurs of the Year awarded
 Four social entrepreneurs have been recognized as Latin American Regional Social Entrepreneurs 2009 during the opening plenary session of the World Economic Forum on Latin America, held in Rio de Janeiro on 15 April. Andre Cavalcanti de Albuquerque, Founder of Terra Nova, had previously been recognized as Social Entrepreneur of the Year Brazil. The other three winners are Veronica Abud from Chile, and Marta Arango and Martin von Hildebrand from Colombia. They received their awards in the presence of President Lula of Brazil and President Uribe of Colombia.
Press release | Webcast I Photos | Summary
President Lula calls for globalization with ethics
 President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil has opened the World Economic Forum on Latin America in Rio de Janeiro with a call for “globalization with ethics where people are at the core.” He stressed the need for new regulation of the global financial system, protection of jobs and reactivating global trade negotiations. President Alvaro Uribe Velez of Colombia echoed Lula, saying that “we need a new concept of capital for the construction of social wealth, and not for speculation or undue gain.” Press release I Webcast I Photos | Summary
Tuesday 13 April
Leaders in Rio de Janeiro for World Economic Forum on Latin America 2009
 Over 500 leaders from business, government and civil society are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to take part in one of the most important meetings on Latin America convened by the World Economic Forum. The meeting, which runs from 14-16 April, is being held under the theme “Implications of the Global Economic Crisis for Latin America” and will address regional economic recovery linked with sustainable development.
Co-Chairs
Timothy P. Flynn, Chairman, KPMG International, USA
Jim Goodnight, Chief Executive Officer, SAS Institute, USA
Lord Levene, Chairman, Lloyd's, United Kingdom
Ricardo Villela Marino, Chief Executive Officer, Latin America, Banco Itaú Unibanco, Brazil; Young Global Leader
Marcelo Bahia Odebrecht, Chief Executive Officer, Engineering and Construction, Odebrecht Brazil, and President, Odebrecht Group, Brazil; Young Global Leader
Contact
For more information about the World Economic Forum on Latin America 2009, please contact:
LatinAmerica@weforum.org
Quotes
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"Brazil is expected to emerge from the current global crisis before the average of the world economy."
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Henrique de Campos Meirelles, Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil |
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“I truly believe we were on the right path. Brazil is a great example of how socialist views on restoring values are not a contradiction with capitalism.”
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Lorenzo A. Mendoza, Chief Executive Officer, Empresas Polar, Venezuela; Young Global Leader
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“Every day you have to understand the vast responsibility with someone putting trust in you and as a leader you have a responsibility to earn that trust every single day.”
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Timothy P. Flynn, Chairman, KPMG International, USA; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Latin America |
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“The most pertinent question is what do we want to save capitalism or humanity. Who says that the future of humanity is in capitalism? Capitalism was a huge success for 20% of the world but it failed, according to the UN, those 4 billion people who live below the poverty line.”
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Frei Betto, Religious Leader, Brazil
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“I spent 20 years of my life carrying a banner and shouting ‘Down with the IMF’ on streets, at factory gates, in front of crowds ...but a few days ago, I called my finance minister and said: ‘We are going to lend money to the IMF. We are no longer debtors, we want to be creditors’. We want to lend the IMF money with a condition that the money can help the economies of poorer countries and developing countries”
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Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil |
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“When the crisis is over, investment will be made in those countries where there is deeper trust”
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Alvaro Uribe Velez, President of Colombia
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Crime levels in Latin America and the Caribbean are the world’s highest, with dire social and economic consequences. Countries of the Americas should cooperate on the expansion of state-strengthening efforts that improve the governance of security issues as well as safety on streets.
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Mauricio Cárdenas, Senior Fellow and Director Latin American Initiative at Brookings Institution |
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Now more than ever it is critical to increase our understanding of the determinants of economic growth in the Latin American region.
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Javier Santiso, Director and Chief Development Economist, OECD, Paris
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Brazil and Latin America are not a problem, but a solution for the challenges of the world. Considering the natural resources, mature institutions and qualified human resources, we are ready to receive investments and answer to the needs of the market.
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Luiz Fernando Furlan,
President, Foundation for a Sustainable Amazon, Brazil
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