Speaking at AS/COA's annual Latin American Cities Conference in Santiago, Chilean Minister of Finance Andrés Velasco presented a strong outlook of Chile's economy despite a global economic slowdown. Velasco also recommended fiscal prudence to fight inflation.

At a time of global economic challenges such as rising energy prices and inflation growth, AS/COA brought together public and private sector leaders for its annual conference in Santiago de Chile on August 6. Speakers emphasized Chile's ability to attract foreign investment but warned of inflation risks.

WTO trade talks froze in Geneva, where booming Brazil played a central role, further strengthening its position as global player and setting the stage for a battle over U.S. ethanol tariffs. As Doha flounders, countries such as Chile and Peru step up bilateral agreements to boost international trade ties. 

Several economies in Latin America have thus far shown signs of being able to weather the U.S. credit crunch. Peru serves as a prime example, posting impressive growth results. 

Brazil’s Helio Mattar, who serves as the president of the Akatu Institute for Conscious Consumption and founded the Ethos Institute for Social Responsibility talks about the corporate social responsibility movement in Brazil and across the Americas.

Held in São Paulo, this roundtable discussion brought together leading corporate and non-profit representatives as well as academics to discuss the evolution of CSR and best practices, with a focus on Brazil. The program coincided with the AS/COA Latin American Cities Conference.

AS/COA's annual Latin American Cities Conference in São Paulo brought together high-level officials and leading experts to discuss Brazil’s growing economic and political heft as well as the challenges posed by the recent global economic slowdown.