Within the framework of the Latin America and Caribbean Economic Forum organized by CAF, Development Bank, various entrepreneurs analyzed the situation in the region in light of the challenges that Latin economies will face in the coming months. One of the main points of concern is the influence of Donald Trump from the White House, along with other long-term problems such as population aging and threats from artificial intelligence.
The expert panel featured prominent figures, such as María Lorena Gutiérrez, President of Grupo Aval; Olga Cantillo, Executive President of Latinex, the Latin American Stock Exchange; Fabián Castillo, President of the Federation of Commerce and Industry of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires; and Francisco González Díaz, President of the Mexico-Panama Business Committee. Each shared their perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by Latin entrepreneurs in the region.
Castillo emphasized the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Argentina, while González pointed out the growth of the auto parts sector in Mexico. Cantillo mentioned the need to discuss security models and pension funds in various Latin American countries, including Panama. González added that U.S. protectionism has generated uncertainty in the region and advocated for greater regional unity in this context.
Additionally, the experts addressed topics such as tourism in Mexico, the populist rhetoric present in the region, and the importance of transparency and predictability to attract investments. Cantillo highlighted the global visibility that the region has gained, although she acknowledged the need to improve aspects such as the sanitization of public finances and the fiscal deficit. Castillo emphasized that economic growth is the main goal in an environment marked by challenges such as artificial intelligence.
