South America
 US President Barack Obama with the Colombian Ambassador to the US Carlos Urrutia Colombia maintains a close relationship with the United States, not only culturally and economically, but also with regard to regional security and the fight against terrorism and drugs. It is also a proponent of reduced barriers to labor, finance and trade flows in the Pacific region to raise it appeal to European and Asian investors |
 Subhas Chandra Mungra, Ambassador of Suriname Suriname benefitted from the strong tailwinds of increased revenues from commodity prices during the last decade. In fact, projected economic growth for the medium term is 4.5%, which is one of the highest rates in the Caribbean region. H.E. Subhas Chandra Mungra believes that Suriname’s economic strength in the region will bolster CARICOM’s economic integration in a globalized world. |
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Finance
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The most populous city in Ecuador, with a boundless dynamism and a promising future, continues to transform its appearance to offer many opportunities for companies, entrepreneurs, traders and investors in general, who have turned Guayaquil into the region’s most influential trade center and become known as the economic capital of the country. Its successful urban regeneration is another characteristic of a city that reinvents itself every day to modernize and position itself as one of the top tourist destinations in Ecuador
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In the last five years, the engineer Nicolás Romero Sangster, General Director of the Guayaquil Airport Authority, has collaborated with the Dante Alighieri Foundation and the Guayaquil Symphonic Foundation
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Guayaquil’s location is perfect at the “heart of the world”, and enjoys a privileged climate
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Interagua and Emapag have made clean water available throughout Guayaquil
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Free trade agreements, controlled inflation, healthy economic growth and an improved reputation abroad are combining to thrust Colombia into the international limelight as a favourable investment destination
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Colombia’s large banking sector is enjoying success throughout the region
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Key trading partners, the two countries share important cultural connections and work together through FDI
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Infrastructure
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Built more than 50 years ago, Guayaquil’s maritime gateway accounts for 70% of all foreign commerce in the country and is key for the tourism industry
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Guayaquil authorities are searching for foreign investors to help construct the new international deepwater port, the containers exchange and the new Guayaquil ecological industrial zone that it is planned for Posorja
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The José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport has been recognized as the best in its category of terminals that receive between 2 and 5 million passengers per year
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Guayaquil is one of the cities with the most growth in the use and access to telecommunication, information and communication tools in Ecuador. The aim is to turn Guayaquil into a digital city
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Mucho Lote 2 is the third phase of a program for 140,000 local people that does not affect public spending programs. It is financed through the private sector that, together with the Municipality of Guayaquil, uses its skills and creativity to unite in the service of the people
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Industry and Trade
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The city officially known as Santiago de Guayaquil was founded in 1534, but for the past 20 years it has been striving to become a world-renowned destination for tourism and investment
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Thanks to the information, services, training and advice that it offers, the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce has become a strategic ally of its members: the large, medium and small companies that are looking to sell more with lower costs
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The Chamber of Industry supports the development of Guayaquil with effective and well thought out services that respond to the needs of the members and the sector
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Pascual del Cioppo, President of Ecuador’s Social Christian Party (Partido Social Cristiano, PSC) discusses the party’s beliefs and achievements, the potential for Guayaquil to serve as a development model for the whole country, and the best road ahead to sustain the city’s economic and social wellbeing.
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The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Ecuador has been creating links between local and Spanish companies for more than 90 years, encouraging investment and good relations between businesses in the two countries
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 Guayaquil-based Balsasud uses the latest technology to reduce waste and environmental impact. The family-owned company works closely wi Pascual del Cioppo, President of the Board of Balsasud Balsera Sudamericana in Guayaquil, discusses the emergence of the Ecuadorian city as a future regional investment hub, the importance of balanced economic development, and how his company has grown rapidly from modest beginnings to become one of the largest balsa wood companies in South America
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The Spanish company Salica is a world leader in the production and export of tinned tuna and frozen fish
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Dole Ecuador is part of Dole Food Company, the biggest producer of fresh fruit and vegetables in the world. The fruit produced in Ecuador is then sold in Europe, the United States, the Middle East and Asia
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Education
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Guayaquil’s authorities are encouraging education through the More Books and More Technology programs and through the rehabilitation of school buildings and English language labs, with a prize for excellence in the “Example Youngsters” program
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A Masters in Petroleum Geology is available from Faculty of Technological Sciences
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A unique institution with a global vision
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New research programs at CES are a priority
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Higher education at the Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Goiás (PUC Goiás ) combines a strong regional identity with enhanced international connections
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A highly qualified workforce for the future is being trained in Goiás – for free
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The SIP network of primary schools reaches out to Chile’s underprivileged children
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In order to increase competitiveness and continue its socio-economic progress, Chile must create more equitable access to quality education
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Government
 Juan Federico Jiménez Mayor, Prime Minister of Peru Juan Federico Jiménez Mayor, Prime Minister of Peru, speaks to Business and Investment about the country’s National Agreement that is helping foster inclusive socioeconomic growth by unifying the efforts of the government and society aimed at reducing poverty and increasing investment in the nation’s future. Mr Mayor also discusses record investment levels in Peru’s science and technology sector, as well as continuing the push for transparency, decentralisation and closer commercial links with the world’s main trade blocs.
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Energy
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Oil, natural gas and coal are the three legs of Colombia’s energy sector, composing a significant portion of the country’s exports
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In Peru, Grupo Graña y Montero (GyM) needs no introduction
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Buenaventura (Compañía de Minas Buenaventura, S.A), the largest publicly traded mining company in Peru, is one of the world's major gold and silver producers. Last year, its equity gold production was 1.04 million ounces and total revenues rose 41% to $1.5 billion
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Minister of Natural Resources Jim Hok speaks about the significance of Suriname's minerals
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After the Spanish discovery of America, many Europeans were attracted to Suriname, the land where, according to legend, the city of gold known as 'El Dorado' was situated. Currently, Suriname is in the process of putting together a geophysical map that would contain the different indications of minerals in the soil
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Hedi Infra Inc., a 100% Surinamese company, has emerged as the partner of choice for Latin American and North American companies interested in horizontal drilling and infrastructure in the Caribbean
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Suriname's state oil company aims to beat its 2011 record profit
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Offshore Suriname is unexploited, with only 25 wells drilled in an area of 150,000 km2
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Telecoms & ICT
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Suriname is encouraging Caribbean governments to adopt further development of ICT as a priority and achieve regional and global connectivity by 2015
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Creative industries are taking a main role in the reduction of Colombia’s unemployment rate
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Suriname is strategically located, and therefore, provides a lot of opportunities. Suriname is part of the regional integration process in the Caribbean. It is a member of CARICOM, CARIFORUM and the Association of Caribbean States, and maintains close relations with South America.
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The telecommunications company, 80% owned by Liberty Global, continues growing as it readies to enter new segments
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 PEDRO ATRIA ALONSO, Chile Country Head of Principal Financial Group With a wealth of experience, the Chilean division of Principal Financial Group has risen to the top of the industry, offering its clients savvy savings instruments and trust
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The travel industry pioneer opened its global support center in Montevideo
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Carolina Cosse, president of the National Telecommunications Administration (ANTEL) talks about the company’s projects, goals, and the famous Plan Ceibal
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ANTEL, the state-owned telecommunications company, aims to connect the majority of Uruguay to the information age
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Agriculture
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High quality fruit and vegetables from Peru are becoming more commonplace in kitchens around the world, as exports continue to rise
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With over 90% of its landmass covered by forests and benefiting from negligible deforestation, Suriname is creating solutions for sustainable timber harvesting with environmental protection
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New species of flora and fauna are still being discovered in Suriname
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With a vast endowment in rich soil, optimal climate and privileged geographical position, agriculture remains vital to Suriname's national socioeconomic development.
A five-year medium-term plan targets the agricultural sector as one of prime importance, as reflected in the Agricultural Support Program (ASP)
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The abundance of nature, growth and possibilities merge together in the projected investment opportunities in the agriculture sector
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Augusto Grob, President of Colun, a cooperative of farmers who believe strongly in the concept of cooperation and maintaining the high quality of its products, discusses what has made it the country’s premier dairy company for more than six decades
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High levels of production have Goiás poised to break records with 14% y-o-y growth in 2011
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In terms of farming, Valle del Cauca is the most important and productive region in Colombia, producing sugar cane, cotton, soy and coffee.
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Tourism & Culture
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Guayaquil is the largest city in the Republic of Ecuador, the capital of Guayas province and home to 39% of the 1,000 most important companies in the country. These businesses annually provide more than $12.7 billion to the Ecuadorian GDP. In the main, Guayaquil’s economy is centered on its commercial, industrial, agricultural and aqua cultural sectors. Mayor Jaime Nebot Saadi’s team has continuously strived to help the growth of small and medium-sized companies to help these sectors become the main sources of income for ‘Guayaquileños’
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Guayaquil authorities have regenerated the seafront area at Puerto El Morro
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H.E. DARWISH BIN ISMAIL AL BALUSHI
Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, Oman |
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H.E. DR. AHMED MOHAMMED SALEM AL-FUTAISI
Minister of Transport & Communications, Oman |
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H.E. YAHIA BIN SAID BIN ABDULLAH AL-JABRI
Chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) |
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Al Jazeera talks to Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the OIC