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An American entrepreneur specialising in Latin America once likened doing business
in the region to getting married in a formal, old-fashioned way, writes Colin Ellson.
“First there’s a period of courtship,” he said. “If the two of you can manage to fall in love, negotiations will then take on a momentum
of their own. If you don’t take the time and effort for romance, the wedding will probably be called off and the business will go to a more patient competitor.”
In the same way as couples are advised to take a close look at prospective in-laws as a guide to how their partners will develop, so, perhaps, should companies considering the Latin American markets take time to consider what exactly they are taking on.
Formerly part of the Spanish and Portuguese empires, the region comprises more than 20 nations, and has a combined population of over 565million. That might seem daunting, but the good news is that the Latin American countries have become far more welcoming to foreign business of late, liberalising their economies and offering juicy tax incentives to overseas investors.
As examples of the diverse opportunities
up for grabs, earlier this year, the Argentine government was looking for help to upgrade its national broadband internet; Chile was seeking a leading British shoe company to participate in an exhibition; and Colombia needed technical assistance to upgrade its criminal justice system.
With direct flights from the UK to a range
of destinations, plus a variety of viable connections, it could be time for UK plc to tie the knot down Latin America way.
Argentina,
Buenos Aires
The capital of Argentina is the country’s political, financial, industrial and commercial hub, and its port one of the busiest on South America’s long coastline.
British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires seven times a week, with Air Europa from London Gatwick, via Madrid, flying daily. From Madrid, Iberia offers 14 flights a week, Aerolineas Argentinas seven, plus four a week ex-Rome. Other direct services from continental Europe include seven flights a week from Paris Charles de Gaulle with Air France, while Lufthansa has six departures a week out of Frankfurt. Air Canada flies from Toronto, Delta from Atlanta, American Airlines out of Dallas/Fort Worth, New York JFK and Miami, and United/Continental from Houston and Washington.
Cordoba
Cordoba is Argentina’s second city and is located in the centre of the country. It has a versatile industrial base which includes the manufacturing of motor vehicles, textiles, chemicals, software and electronics.
With no direct flights from the UK to Cordoba, the best alternative is to fly from Madrid, with Iberia operating three times a week between the destinations.
Brazil,
Brasilia
A prototype for urban planning, Brasilia has been the national capital since 1960. The emphasis in the economy is on government, communications, banking and legal services.
There are no services from the UK or continental Europe to the Brazilian capital, which means flying via Lisbon with TAP, or a US gateway: among the choices, Delta departs from Atlanta; American from Miami.
Rio de Janeiro
Tourism plays a major role in the economy
of a city noted for its scenic setting. Also important to the thriving economy are financial services and oil. Rio is the host city
of the 2016 Olympic Games.
From Heathrow, BA serves Rio daily, and TAM Airlines three times a week, the service due to increase to six a week from August 2. From Madrid, Iberia flies daily, while Air France has 14 flights a week out of Paris CDG, and TAP operates daily from Lisbon. Lufthansa is due to launch its Rio operation from Frankfurt on October 30, flying five times a week. American, Delta and United/Continental serve Rio from their US hubs.
Sao Paulo
The largest city in the Southern Hemisphere, Sao Paulo has the second biggest economy in Latin America. This is based mainly on financial services.
Both BA and TAM depart Heathrow for Sao Paulo daily. Iberia flies 14 times a week from Madrid, TAP daily out of Lisbon, Swiss has the same frequency from Zurich, and Air France offers 14 flights a week from Paris CDG. KLM operates daily out of Amsterdam Schiphol, and Lufthansa flies once a day from Frankfurt and Munich. Services from their North American hubs are with Air Canada, American, Delta and United/Continental.
Chile, Santiago
The Chilean capital is the engine powering the best-managed economy in the region. The country’s industrial and financial hub, it is home to many multinational companies.
With no direct services from the UK to Santiago, the most convenient routing is via continental Europe. LAN, the national airline, operates from Madrid, alongside a daily Iberia service, while Air France flies non-stop six times a week from Paris CDG. Or travel via North America, from where flights include Air Canada from Toronto, Delta from Atlanta, and American from Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami.
Colombia, Bogota
The third-highest capital city in the world, at 2,500 metres above sea level, Bogota is one of the most influential financial centres in Latin America, and Colombia’s industrial hub.
Air France flies daily from Paris CDG to Bogota. Otherwise, flights from Europe include Iberia flying 12 times a week, Avianca nine times weekly, both from Madrid, or Lufthansa’s five weekly departures out of Frankfurt. Air Canada, American, Delta and United/Continental fly to the city from their North American hubs.
Costa Rica,
San Jose
Tourism has replaced coffee as capital city
San Jose’s major foreign exchange earner, while foreign investors can enjoy tax breaks.
There are no direct flights from the UK to San Jose which means travelling via Madrid on one of Iberia’s daily services or via Santiago with LAN. From North America, departures include Air Canada out of Toronto, Delta from Atlanta, AA ex-Dallas/Fort Worth or Miami, and United/Continental from Houston or New York Newark.
Cuba, Havana
The Cuban capital is enjoying a boom across the tourism sector, but the economy is still largely based on the sugar industry.
From Gatwick, Virgin Atlantic serves Havana non-stop twice a week, and Air Europa six times weekly via Madrid, from where Iberia offers the same frequency. Air France flies daily from Paris CDG.
Mexico, Mexico City
One of the most important economic hubs in Latin America, the Mexican capital is also the richest city in the region. Main industries in town include financial services and telecoms.
BA flies from Heathrow to Mexico City daily. From Madrid, Aeromexico departs daily, Iberia 14 times a week, and Aerolineas Argentinas thrice weekly. Air France offers a double-daily service out of Paris CDG, with Aeromexico flying daily. In addition, KLM operates from Schiphol seven times a week, and Lufthansa daily from Frankfurt. Or travel to North America, interlining at one of their hubs with carriers including Air Canada, Delta, American or United/Continental.
Panama, Panama City
At the Pacific entrance to the eponymous canal, Panama City is an important hub for international finance and commerce, its economy largely dependent on trade and shipping. With no direct flights from the UK, Panama City can be reached from Schiphol with KLM, flying seven times a week, or on Iberia’s four times a week service from Madrid. North American routes include Delta from Atlanta, American ex-Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami, and United/Continental from Houston, New York Newark and Washington Dulles.
Peru, Lima
Located on the Pacific coast, with a thriving seaport, the capital of Peru is a major player in trade with the Asian markets, and is the country’s financial and industrial centre.
There are no direct flights from the UK to Lima. From Europe, KLM flies daily from Schiphol, Air France five times a week out of Paris CDG, with Iberia offering ten services weekly and Air Europa four, both from Madrid. Flights from their respective North American hubs are with Air Canada, Delta, American and United/Continental.
Uruguay, Montevideo
The southernmost capital city in the Americas, Montevideo is the economic hub of Uruguay, its port playing an increasing role in foreign trade. Banking is also important.
There are no direct flights from the UK to Montevideo. Instead, Iberia flies five times a week from Madrid, along with LAN, which offers a frequent service via Santiago. Or fly with American Airlines from Miami.
Venezuela, Caracas
The oil and gas industries dominate the economy of the Venezuelan capital. Also important is the services sector, together with the manufacture of chemicals, textiles, iron and rubber.
Air Europa serves Caracas four times a week from Gatwick via Madrid. Air France flies from Paris CDG, Iberia from Madrid, TAP from Lisbon, and Lufthansa out of Frankfurt, all with a daily frequency. From North America, Air Canada flies from Toronto, Delta from Atlanta, and American ex Dallas/Fort Worth, New York JFK and Miami.
THE CARBON COST
The table below shows the distance covered by a return flight between London and the destination, along with the approximate carbon emissions and the cost of offsetting it with The Carbon Neutral Company.
See www.carbonneutral.com for more information.
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