Consolidation of recent economic growth, innovation and development are some of the key issues for Argentina in the next few years. Bringing together over 400 senior-level attendees, the AS/COA annual Cities Conference in Argentina focused on recent economic successes and future challenges for sustaining competitiveness.

Over 300 private sector representatives and government officials gathered in El Salvador to analyze growth prospects and the new opportunities created by DR-CAFTA at the first AS/COA Latin American Cities Conference in Central America.

The Colombian economy is strong and its capital market is reasonably well-valued, according to speakers at the AS/COA 2007 Latin American Cities Conference in Bogota. Our 11th Colombian conference convened over 900 private sector representatives and decision makers.

The success of microfinance has prompted commercial banks to view low-income client loans as smart business. Speakers at our roundtable discussion outlined potential challenges and possible solutions to ensuring the sustainability of Latin America’s microfinance boom.

Topics in this issue
   • Porteños go to the polls
   • Economy keeps growing

Alberto Saracho Martinez, executive director of Fundación IDEA, uses the new Institutional Quality Index to show that economic growth and citizen well-being hinge on respect for basic freedoms. IDEA is one of 18 Latin American think tanks that came together to develop and recently launch the index.

In testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth calls on Congress to pass the pending bilateral trade agreement and re-authorize Plan Colombia. “The time to act is now” to support one of the strongest U.S. allies in the region.