Latin America

Latin America, with a GDP of U$ 5.9 BB, and a population of 560 MM, has proven to be a very attractive region for multinational consolidators, with interesting economic growth rates and stability for the past years.

Lat Am countries, including Mexico, have rapidly liberalized and are now well positioned towards a continuing growth.

Although the region does not have unified customs treaties, it is integrated amongst them and with the US, through numerous Free trade agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA, Mercosur, Caricom amongst others.

Foreign Direct Investment for the region during 2004 – 2007 was over U$ 318 billion.

M&A transactions have gained importance given Lat Am’s  business structure, as many leading players still consist of family owned companies with strong SOM and non-institutional management.

In 2008, there were 1,110 M&A deals executed in the region, representing ≈ U$ 120 billion, being Brazil and Mexico the main targets.