Latin Business Chronicles carries an article about a recent poll by the American Association of the American Chamber of Commerce in Latin America with over 900 business executives. The survey results do not surprise those of us who live and work in Latin America as these same themes are the ones I post most about in my blog each week. Here are some excerpts of that poll.
“Despite
a forecast of negative growth for the region in 2009, survey
respondents overwhelmingly indicated that they expect 2010 to be a
recovery year,” commented Adrean Rothkopf, the outgoing executive vice
president of AACCLA.
However,
nearly half – 47 percent – believe populism and authoritarianism will
rise over the next four years and 29 percent say it will stay the same.
Only 14 percent believe it will decline.
“Respondents predict no quick end to the worrisome trend of populism and authoritarianism in the region,” Rothkopf says.
Most
of the respondents had a clear preference for democratic countries
versus authoritarian ones. Two-thirds said they were not likely to
invest or expand business in countries that have had democratic
setbacks.
“The judgment has been firm both in survey responses and foreign direct investment statistics - foreign investors are steering clear of countries where democracy and its attendant freedoms are under attack,” Rothkopf says.
“By
and large, rule of law and investor protections remain a serious
concern for countries throughout the region, but especially in
Spanish-speaking
