8/6/2019 Chile Invest or Not Revised http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/chile-invest-or-not-revised 1/23 CHILE, ATTRACTIVE BUT LIMITED FOR INVESTMENT By Beth Hall April 13, 2011 Chile can be considered for foreign investment for many reasons. Chile has established a solid democracy and sound financial system, successful in its economic reforms. Chile is ranked eighth among the worlds top offshore locations in globalization scores, in terms of cost attractiveness, business environment and availability of skills and labor, while Mexico and Brazil ranked next 11 th and 12 th among the world by A.T. Kearney. Chile is considered a pioneer in the field of competition law and policy among Latin America. Chiles other favorable qualities include the quality and reliability of institutions and political stability; robust macroeconomic performance, stable inflation, balanced fiscal accounts, open trade regime, and favorable legislation for foreign direct investment. Still, while Chile is constantly on an active path to gaining leadership in Latin America on many levels, for foreign investment purposes I believe it needs improvement on others. Chile had a somewhat rocky path to get its trade system more attractive, but has obviously made gains for it has coped with current economic meltdowns well. Between 1950 and 1970, Chile made three different attempts at trade liberalization which resulted in setbacks to exchange controls, the use of multiple exchange rates, and massive quantitative restrictions. In 1973 import tariffs varied, averaging at 105%, some 700%, and others exempt. Quantitative restrictions were also applied, including import prohibitions and import deposits of up to 10,000%. Protective measures were compounded by a multiple exchange-rate system consisting of 15 different nominal exchange rates. By August 1975, all quantitative restrictions had been eliminated, and the average tariff had been reduced to 44%. Starting in 1979, Chile's trade policy became highly liberalized having no quantitative restrictions, licenses, or prohibitions and a uniform import tax between 10-15% took effect. The real exchange rate overvaluation in general was then avoided until 1980. In the mid-1980s, in the midst of the debt crisis, temporary tariff hikes were implemented. In 1984-85 a policy of a highly competitive real exchange rate was implemented. President Patricio Aylwin Azócar (1990-94), elected in December 1989, reduced import tariffs to a uniform 11%. (Hudson, Chile: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress 1994). The combination of these two policies--low tariffs and a competitive real exchange rate are attractive traits for investment. According to the World Bank, by 1990 Chile was the only country whose liberalization index reached 20, the maximum possible level, indicating absence of external-sector distortions. It ranked first in Latin America for economic freedom in 2009
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underdeveloped supporting financial market mechanisms and a very narrow market for knowledge
with barriers to entrepreneurship. Insufficient networking and cooperation in innovation, and
shortage of human resources necessary for vibrant industry-related relationships are also barriers to
innovation. Institutional frameworks to promote industry-related relationships are also considered
underdeveloped by the OECD (OECD 2007). In all, however, Chile appears to have a resilient economy
with an open trade environment friendly to international business.
Chiles economy and trade has been evolving as its government has been evolving, a bit
choppily. In the past, nitrate exports made a strong economy, spurring industrialism and massive
urbanization. In 1915-1925, World War I deeply affected the economy creating a decline in
international commerce. Germany developed artificial nitrates. Copper then became Chiles leading
export. Like Europe, inflation spiraled. There was a labor party movement which demanded better
treatment for laborers, from which a Democratic Party emerged. From the two choices, a radical party
gained support, and reformist Arturo Alessandri was elected president. In 1926-1932 Colonel Ibáñez
became president through military intervention. With the money this government borrowed from
private foreign lenders and increased revenues from copper exports, they financed import
substitution, attempting to reduce foreign dependency through the local production of industrialized
products. The depression era reinforced protectionist policies which along with oppressive rule,
sparked popular protests. Ibáñez resigned in 1932 and reformist Arturo Alessandri was reelected. In1933-1938, Alessandri enacted a new labor code and the 1925 constitution. There was then
separation of church and state, but constitution also increased the direct powers of the elected
president, who did succeed in cutting unemployment through the promotion of industry and public
works. However, opposition denounced Alessandri for limited economic nationalism and attention to
workers' needs. Pedro Aguirre Cerda, part of a democratic-leftist coalition called the Popular Front,
won the election in 1938. In 1939-1942, President Pedro Aguirre Cerda worked with the private sector
to build a mixed economy, but political infighting then eroded the Popular front and right wing partiesgrew stronger, not being happy with limited national industrial development. Conservative Radical
Juan Antonio Ríos Morales was then president 1942 to 1946, who died in office.
The Pinochet regime had established a military government in 1974, removed opponents,
stopped political activity, controlled the media, and launched a strongly guided neo-liberal trade
Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria, a moderate socialist, became the first woman to be the
President of Chile, winning in a runoff, beating center-right businessman and former senator Sebastián
Piñera in 2006. She is said to have campaigned on a platform of continuing Chile's free market policies,
while increasing social benefits to help reduce the country's gap between rich and poor, one of the
largest in the world. However, Chilean women are described as not having the same ranking as in
other Latin American countries. A smaller proportion of them work and fewer achieve political power.
The wage gap with men is relatively large. Women earned 19% less than men in 2003, according to a
government survey; the gap was nearly 40% in jobs requiring high levels of education. Chile may also
be more socially conservative than other South American countries. This female president was
criticized for handling situations weakly, such as being accused of taking a soft line in a dispute with
Argentina over the price of gas, which some thought unfair since Chile is dependent on this Argentine
export. Her presidency ended on March 11, 2010, when Sebastián Piñera replaced her (The Economist
2006).
When Sebastián Piñera was elected in January 2010, it was the first time in 50 years since the
rule of Pinochet that Chile elected a right-wing president. This billionaire businessman narrowly
defeated Eduardo Frei of the Concertacion, the center-left alliance that has been in power for 20 years.
Piñera said he would use his business acumen to create jobs give private industry a more prominent
role in the economy. Chile was hit by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in February 2010 where as manyas 1.5 million people were displaced. Buildings and homes in poor areas did not fare well. Sebastián
Piñera was sworn in as President of Chile in March 2010, immediately following three major
aftershocks from the recent massive earthquake. One of his first acts as the new president was to form
an emergency response team to deal with the country's reconstruction in the aftermath of the disaster
(Infoplease 2011).
Chile certainly seems to have run a gamut of different types of governments getting their
independence from Spain, patterning their constitution on ours, but with military dictatorships,socialistic leaders, women, billionaires. In the view of many Chileans, groups at all point on this
political spectrum helped destroy the democratic order by being too ideological and too intransigent
(Hudson, Chile Introduction 1994). It hard to understand Chiles business culture as it deals with
democracy and the free market in our dictionary of terms still, and really be sure of what direction will
be next. They do seem to run a danger in what Carter indicates the danger of the gap between poor
and the rich which could lead to deep discontent. Their market sometimes looks like a better bet than
their government but perhaps first must come prosperity and then a truer so called democracy, with
more equally distributed wealth.
Chile now has a good number of trade agreements between many countries, helping to create
a healthy global climate for foreign investment. According to an article called Investment
Opportunities in Chile's Commodity-Based Economy I found on the web, Chile has weathered the
current global economic meltdown better than most countries and offers good wealth creation
opportunities for the global investor. Chile essentially has a commodity-based economy whose
primary exports are minerals, food, and timber as well as a world-class wine production sector. Most
of these important exports have kept Chile in a strong economic position worldwide, as there is an
ever-increasing demand for commodities especially from the developing nations in Asia and other
parts of the world. Chile also leads all Latin American countries with the lowest corporate tax rate.
The Chamber of Commerce in Santiago after the world report on the influx of FID by the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development has projected that Chile's foreign investment is likely
to overtake Brazil and Mexico and would achieve record figures in 2010. Projections for this year are
pointing a range between US $15,000 and US $20,000 million. According to the Banco Central, the
Chilean Central Bank, the Chilean economy's GDP has had an increase of 6.5% in the second quarterachieving its highest advance in 5 years. Chile is ranked as one of the safest offshore locations in the
world, with a world-class telecommunications infrastructure and higher-level education (World
Market Pulse 2010). Chiles openness to foreign investors appears to be the best attraction for the
foreign investor for Chile.
Regarding Chiles financial health, in the 1960s and 1970s many Latin American countries,
notably Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, borrowed enormous amounts of money from international
creditors for industrialization; especially infrastructure programs. Latin America had elevatedeconomies at the time so the creditors were happy to provide loans. Between 1975 and 1982, Latin
American debt to commercial banks increased at an annual rate of 20.4 percent and Latin America
quadrupled its external debt from $75 billion in 1975 to more than $315 billion in 1983, or 50% of the
region's GDP. Chile did okay in the Latin debt crisis, showing signs of stable financial health.
Regarding the Great Recession crisis, most of Latin Americas local markets were less affected
because they allow their currencies to fluctuate relatively freely. However, the global financial crisis
still affected the Chilean economy strongly in the second half of 2008, and the economy slowed down
as global demand for Chilean exports declined and terms of trade deteriorated. Their economy did
demonstrate resilience with the vigorous rebound that took place in 2010. The February 2010
earthquake caused some disruptions that led to a decline in growth by 1.5 percent in the first quarter
of 2010. Economic recovery recommenced vigorously in the second quarter of 2010, when GDP
registered a 6.5% quarterly expansion. Chile reported a balance of trade surplus equivalent to 2,393
million dollars in December, 2010. (Trading Economics n.d.) However, problems of poverty and
distorted income remain despite Chiles achievements in economic growth and stability. Chile's
business environment is among the friendliest in Latin America, consistently ranking as among the top
countries regularly in Doing Business indicators as well as in several other business environment and
competitiveness rankings.
Chilean governments have looked out for their financial health. The Chilean government
accumulates surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic
growth, and allows deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. Those
sovereign wealth funds amounted to more than $20 billion in September 2008. From this fund, Chile
used $4 billion to finance an economic stimulus package to deflect recession. In December 2009, theOrganization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) invited Chile to become a full
member, feeling Chile has potential for future development. While Chile has run a gamut of different
types of government from military authoritarian to socialists, and liberals, each government has tried
to improve Chile economically through trade. For instance, the democratic government of Patricio
Aylwin won election over from the military regime and intensified the economic reform already started
by the prior government. During 1991-97, growth in real GDP averaged 8% and fell to 4% in 1998
because of rigid monetary policies applied in an effort to keep the current deficits in check andbecause of lower export earnings (the latter a product of the global financial crisis). In 1999, a severe
drought made Chiles economy worse, reducing crop yields and held responsible for electricity
rationing. Chile then experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years.
Since then, growth has averaged 4% per year. Chile has intensified its longstanding pledge to free
trade, signing free trade agreement with the United States, taking effect on January 1, 2004. Chile
claims to have more bilateral or regional trade agreements than any other country. It has 57 trade
agreements, including with the European Union, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico.
Chilean economy started to show signs of a rebound in the fourth quarter of 2009, and GDP grew more
than 5% in 2010. Over the past seven years, foreign direct investment inflows have quadrupled to
some $15 billion in 2010. Since returning to democracy in 1990, the government has a transparent
policy.
Chile has resiliency to recover from the recent earthquake. The 8.8 magnitude earthquake
caused considerable damage near the epicenter, located about 70 miles from Concepcion - and about
200 miles southwest of Santiago in February 2010 and was considered one of the top ten strongest
earthquakes on record. An example of Chiles resiliency can be seen in the 1990s. Chiles growth in
real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-1997, rivaled that of the Asian Tigers. Chile has a history of
recovering and rebounding from financial events like the Asian financial crisis in 1998. They boast
growth rates of 5-7% for most of the past decade, beating Brazil. By 2006, Chile had the highest
nominal GDP per capita in Latin America. It was the first Latin American country to join
the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and organization dedicated to
global development and that only has 28 members, described as an exclusive club of developed
nations. Mexico is the only other Latin American member. Chile is described as being a topperformer in Latin America in the financial area.
Regarding Chilean credit, strong financial institutions and a sound policy have lent Chile to have
strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Chile paid the lowest bond yield or spread in Latin
America when they sold their first international bond in 6 years on July 29, 2010. Investors demanded
even less than half the premium on comparable debt than they did from the higher rated Italy. Chile
sold $1 billion in 10 year notes 90 basis points above U.S. Treasuries which I perceive as a good rate for
Chile. Chile also sold $520 million bonds in pesos at 5.5%, cutting 60 basis points or $24 million fromcost by borrowing in its own currency. Chile has good credit, not that far behind United States. The
yield that Chile paid was even 60 basis points less than Brazil paid to borrow for 11 years in April so it
sounds like their credit is better than Brazil. Chile is selling international bonds to raise money to
rebuild from the earthquake in February 2010 that caused $30 billion in damage, and killed about 500
people, but luckily Santiago escaped the worst of the earthquake. The rate of the foreign bonds was
said to be the lowest rate on foreign bond sales by Chile since 1822. It means lower interest rates and
that companies will be able to borrow at lower rates, stimulating investment and employment.
It appears that Chiles credit standing is about the best in Latin America. They paid a low yield,
even and their bond has been graded differently by different companies though basically in the A
range, from the fourth highest down (Aa3) to two grades below (A3) using Moodys scales for different
companys ratings. The yield on Chilean bonds was described by Piñera as the lowest in Latin
America, very much below the rates achieved by great powers like Brazil and this figure even puts us at
a European level for borrowing. Chile has made big achievements, rather quietly, starting in 1970s
under August Pinochets military government, introducing its free market-oriented reforms with the
help of the Chicago Boys a group of University of Chicago-trained economists and have stuck to
pretty close to these reforms through leadership change. On January 4, 2011, however, Chile joined
the global currency wars and the central bank will spend up to $12 billion dollars this year to help
exporters to help the dollar against the strengthening peso. Chile is described as one of Latin
Americas most open and best managed economies. However, usually Chiles central bank is known
has having a hands-off approach to exchange rates.
Regarding demographics, facts state that the population of Chile has been decreasing since
1990. In the 2010 population pyramid, females start gaining in population compared to males, afterthe age of approximately 54. Chiles population pyramid appears to be in the beginning of
metamorphoses from a developing country into a developed country. By looking at Chiles present and
forecasted population pyramids, it appears that Chile is beginning to join the ranks of developed
countries. If the projections are true, in 2050 there will be an increased need to care of a population
over 80, particularly women. Growing older is described as an expensive enterprise for a nation.
Chiles population is 85% distributed in urban areas, and urbanization is an attractive quality for foreign
investment, with higher concentrations of people in smaller spaces. On the negative side, incomedistribution is one of the most unequal in the world and there are few opportunities for upward social
mobility (The World Bank 2010). That is a bleak picture for investment purposes, as it could lead to
Looking further into demographic Chiles status, it appears that Chile is quite aware of that their
population distribution is going to age, and is preparing for this future, evidenced by the fact that the
government first created the National Policy for Senior Citizens in 1996. Then the National Service for
Senior Citizens 2003 had the following objectives for dealing with their changing demographics,
specifically the increase of their older population: integration into society, protection from
abandonment and poverty and proposing policies to resolve issues for the elderly. As part of Chiles
Strategic Orientation 2006-2010 efforts, the government joined forces with Japan to get human
resource training and to develop policies to improve the social welfare of senior citizens. Contribution
from Japans cooperation with the government of Chile led to improved planning abilities of social
welfare services at the local level, elaboration of an information manual on social welfare services for
senior citizens, and development of health-promoting programs at the local level for senior citizens.
Another achievement described was the dissemination of Kaigo Hoken social security system to local
governing bodies (Coronil 2006). The median age of Chile is increasing and the work force may be
slowly diminishing, having less time to build wealth. Taking care of the elderly may free up some of the
work force, such as females caring for their older relatives, as Chile makes the shift from a developing
country to rank among developed countries, with a stabilization in population growth, but slightly
fluctuating population distribution among age groups, the population becoming almost equally
distributed throughout the age groups, with the exception of the increase of the population over 80,particularly women.
Chile is also making gains to improve the skills of its workforce. In 2004, the Chilean Economic
Development Agency launched a plan to increase the number of English speakers to create a growing
workforce skilled in English. In five years, the number of the registered speakers increased from
14,000 to nearly 40,000, and this appears to be just a minimal estimate as some have not registered
due to serving a large domestic Portuguese speaking market.
Chile is thought of being the most economically successful country by many, but still hasreturned to socialism off and on. Some say that after gaining independence from Spain the Latin
America countries needed a strong hand, because their people were like children and were used to an
authoritarian hand or military regime as Spain was a strong hand. Perhaps this goes hand in hand with
DeSotos description that not all cultures have the same makeup in competition. In Latin America,
there was described disenchantment with civilian governments, such as the fall of Salvador Allendes
government which is said to be the most notable example in Latin America of a democratic
government falling to an authoritarian regime, since Chile is described as having the longest
democratic traditions in Latin America. The authoritarian regime, Allende, had promised to
redistribute wealth, end extreme economic and social inequalities, but when he nationalized U.S.
owned copper mines and other industries, the CIA assisted a military coup September 11, 1973 to
overthrow his regime. The takeover regime, the Pinochet dictatorship, embraced capitalism while
outlawing political opposition and restricting individual freedoms, an odd combination to me.
Relations with the Pinochet dictatorship shows that the United States government supported
authoritarian regimes that promised stability, anticommunism, and economic trade and investment
opportunities," according to David F. Schmitz, author of The United States and Right-Wing
Dictatorships, 1965-1989. He further states that "Equating dictators with freedom blinded American
leaders to the contradictions and failures of their policy." While authoritarian regimes eventually lost
legitimacy internationally with human rights violations and poor economic development, to this day
authoritarianism is still considered a force to be reckoned with in Latin America (science.jrank.org
2011).
In the conquest to explore serious problems emerging in the effort to convert the worlds
economies to capitalism and governments to democracy, the first obvious situation that comes tomind is that a stable market is what foreign investors want to see, and democracy does not always
serve this purpose. Trying to put aside my own biased belief that democracy is the best way in all
cases, perhaps the country in question is simply not ready for democracy to have capitalism work at
the same time. It may be important for the country to achieve capitalism and well being for its
population before striving towards democracy. For instance, the country may have too much of a
discrepancy between rich and poor, not enough higher education among the masses, and lack of
confidence in the market under democracy. According to the popular social open source network,Wikipedia, the relationship between democracy and capitalism is a contentious area in theory and
popular political movements. (Wikipedia 2011) An author further states that democratic capitalist
states may fight infrequently and or never with other democratic capitalist states because of political
similarity or stability rather than because they are democratic or capitalist. Chile is also given as an
example where capitalism has operated quite well under authoritarian rule for Augusto Pinochets
rule in Chile led to economic growth by using authoritarian means to create a safe environment for
investment and capitalism (Wikipedia 2011).
Chile appears to have weathered many changes in government styles because its economy
appears rather healthy, perhaps in contrast to the moral of the people when it comes to human rights.
An example of its success in the capitalistic market is that Chile is in good standing at the present time
in terms of property rights when compared to the rest of Latin America. Hernando DeSoto expressed
concern regarding particularly the status of property rights in his native Peru and how the free
economic freedom could be deterred by lack of proof of property rights for much of its population and
congruent with his philosophy, the property rights index is described as a evenly spread
subcomponent of the Index of Economic Freedom, (Global Property Rights 2004-2011) that
measures the degree to which a countrys laws protect private property rights, and the degree to
which its government enforces those laws. Chile scores the highest in the Latin American continent,
scoring 85, Brazil and Mexico scoring 50 (Global Property Rights 2004-2011). This makes Chile
attractive to investment compared to the rest of Latin America.
Chile is also given as an example that has made strides in democracy, according to James
Ferguson, Chair and Professor of the Anthropology Department at Stanford University, who states,
The good news is that over the last fifteen years democratic systems has made serious progress inmany Latin American countries, e.g. Mexico, Chile and Argentina. The bad news is that the full package
needed to support deeply democratic societies that are also stable has not yet been forged across the
hemisphere (J. Ferguson 2002). He goes onto to say that in regards to Chile, improvements in copper
mining, the strong reliance on copper exports through the 20 th century, the issue of foreign control
(largely U.S. ownership) of copper companies, and the development of unionized workers, first in the
nitrate mining of the north, then in other mining areas, helped create a volatile mix of economic
dependence and political grievance (J. Ferguson 2002). Chile does appear to have had a volatile mixbut with leaders that are currently searching for quelling solutions in their own unique way. One
seemingly unique historic characteristic of Chile is left extremists. Looking back into history at the time
of the Cold War, many Chileans appear to have been against communism as indicated by formation of
the Chilean Anti-Communist Action (ACHA), left-wing terrorists, and exemplified by the detention of
hundreds of communist leaders in the Pisagua prison camp. This is another illustration that Chile has
had many violent and opposite political forces, which have made it one of the protagonists of
ideological conflict and focusing the eyes of the great world powers in their internal politics through
the era of the Cold War (Memoria Chilena 2004).
Chile is said to be an actor and not a puppet of external forces (Fermandois 1998). While
Chileans patterned their constitution after the United States constitution, it appears that they have
followed their own unique path. United States has tried to protect their investment in Chile but
Chileans are proud of their uniqueness and that the U.S. was unable to interfere too successfully in
their small country (Memoria Chilena 2004). So it appears that Chile is moving towards democracy at
their own pace, with a capitalistic market in place, also offering stability in their economy to foreign
investors, working hard to make themselves attractive to foreign investors, and providing a stable
environment for their own population, also slowly healing from past issues of violated human rights.
The last election was rather close but Chile has a stable economy and the president seems to have
good plans to decrease unemployment, increase aid to those who are unemployed. They also are on a
mission for the green revolution.
In regards to the green evolution, Chiles southern tip appears to be on the front in the battle of
global warming and carbon dioxide pollution, as the signs of global warming are very evident in Chile.
A reporter for McClatchy Newspaper declares, With a population of 16 million people, Chile doesn'tproduce much of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. But it's paying the price (Chang
2007). He further reports that giant glaciers are disappearing; mudslides are becoming more
common; snow no longer falls in the spring, replaced instead by tepid rains. Being long and skinny,
almost all of Chiles borders are the mountains, the ocean, and then it is situated north of Antarctica.
Scientists are scrambling to record the changes happening up and down the country's mountainous
spine. Chilean researchers monitor 120 glaciers and have found that more than half are shrinking,
many disappearing at twice the rate recorded a decade ago, including glaciers near Santiago thatprovide water to six million residents. In central Chile, where most of the population lives, the altitude
that snow falls rose by 400 feet in the winters and more than 650 feet in the summers between 1975
and 2001. Since rain now falls at higher altitudes, it causes snow packs to shrink and erosion on
mountains. While rising temperatures have produced a rise in water levels in the short term, they will
likely result in long-term water shortages at the disappearance of the glaciers. Rain levels are also
dropping in the Patagonian south, where many of the country's hydroelectric dams are. "It's like we're
killing the goose that lays the golden egg," said a Chilean veteran alpinist who researches snow and
water levels for Chile's government. "Rivers are growing like they never did, and they'll continue
growing for a few years, but when the glaciers are gone, then what?" Another Chilean who helps
manage a ski resort warns that the ski season has been cut from three months to one month due to
declining snowfall and that the resort must now rely on new snow-making machines to draw
customers. For some Chileans who have spent decades roaming Chile's wilds, an era has already come
to an end. They say that the mountains have changed for good, once covered with snow year-round
and now they are bare for most of the year; the legendary glaciers in south Chile are visibly in retreat.
An example of glaciers visibly in retreat, O'Higgins Glacier is one of Chiles famous glaciers,
located in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, Chile. The bulk of the glacier is part of the ice field
plateau. It flows eastward into O'Higgins Lake (Wikipedia 2009). From Patagonian in southern Chile,
one can see the OHiggins glacier morphing into a lake, presenting a clear picture that the world is
getting warming; the glacier has thinned 92 feet in 2 years, not unique from more than 90% of world's
glaciers in retreat. This could be seen as a sign of early trouble from global warming a sign that cities
around the world may be starving for water as glacier runoffs decline. Runoffs from glaciers are said to
provide water for 1-1/5 billion, people mostly in South America, China and India. While there used tobe six foot penguins as evidenced by fossils found in Argentina, penguin chicks are declining; whole
colonies are disappearing. Their main staple, the quill, are disappearing along with the ice. Ice cores
show evidence the excessive carbon dioxide slipping into the atmosphere started with the industrial
revolution 50 years ago. With global warming, as sea level rises, there are predicted to be tremendous
changes. To play this out over decades, green house gases last a long time in atmosphere and there is
a lot up there already. It is said that the world is going to continue to warm not matter what, we can
only try to slow it down (CBS Interactive Inc 2007). I am not sure I would like the country that I want toinvest in be on the front of global warming.
Water shortages could also affect the country's mining industry and put it in jeopardy, which
produces about two-thirds of Chilean exports, and research for new ways of doing business could be
necessary. Miners use vast amounts of water to crush, screen, wash and extract minerals, and
disputes over water in the country's dry north, where many of Chile's mines are, already have sparked
demonstrations and violence. "The availability of water is definitely a concern," declared the mining
minister in 2007, Karen Poniachik (Chang 2007). In regards to Chiles water supply, in Santiago, Chile,
the water company, EMOS, found it cheaper to rehabilitate its aging pipe system and thus reduce leaks
than to pay the market price for water rights. Chile ranks 14th
renewable water sources, but Brazil
ranks very high in renewable water sources (CIA n.d.). So they are doing some renovation to keep their
renewable water sources intact.
When it comes to energy sources, many Chileans are against nuclear power, and environmental
groups wanted to protest Obama's visit this March. President Piñera said that "we have many accords
that are important for Chile to sign." In addition to energy, he said they include efforts to bring more
U.S. English teachers to Chile, and "matters of democracy and human rights, not just in Chile but in the
rest of Latin America." Other topics included education, emergencies, culture and the environment.
Chile's booming growth is being held back by limits on its imported energy supply and outdated
power grid. Both Piñera and Obama have said the solution is new technologies and clean energy, which
they define as including nuclear as well as more sustainable renewable sources such as solar, wind and
geothermal power (Quilodran 2011). Thus Chile has trouble keeping up with energy demand,
another negative factor for investment consideration.
This year Chile was faced with a drought. Measures recently implemented will hopefully allowChile to avoid power cuts. Faced with the threat of power outages, the government in early February
moved to reduce voltage on the country's main SIC power grid by 5% to 10%, accumulate more water
in the nation's reservoirs, and asked consumers to use energy more efficiently (Esposito 2011).
"Nearly half of installed capacity on the central SIC power grid, which supplies energy to over 90% of
Chile's population and runs from the northern city of Tal Tal to the southern island of Chiloe, is in
hydroelectric generation (Esposito 2011). Chile's government is working to avoid energy rationing
amid an energy squeeze, and 2011 should be calm in energy supply terms, declared the currentMining and Energy Minister, Laurence Golborne. The government has reduced voltages to save
reservoir waters as a long-lasting drought hits hydroelectric generation, seeking to fend off blackouts.
However, a mining sector in Chile's far north is powered by thermal plants, and has not been suffering
from the drought (XE News 2011). Again, Chile does not seem to have enough alternative energy
resources for their main source of income sectors to operate without disruption.
Chile is not alone. Its neighbor Argentina also faces droughts near its side of the Andes due to
dropping rain levels. Shrinking glaciers in Bolivia are threatening water supplies in some towns.
What's happening in Argentina is very similar to what's happening in Chile," said Mario Nunez,
director of the Argentine Sea and Atmosphere Investigations Center. "We're all trying to prepare for an
uncertain future (Chang 2007)." Thus, when it comes to environment and energy, it appears that Chile
is on the front of the worlds battle in global warming and energy needs, with a lot at stake, a risk for
investment.
In regards to the green evolution, Chile might be making some headway in leadership. An
example of this may be King George Island which is off the coast of Antarctica. The island has been
claimed by Chile, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, and Russia and the U.S. have also expressed
interest in the island. Chilean scientists from Universidad Austral have devised a geotagging system
with a satellite-equipped buoy and a Global Positioning system. This helps them study and organize all
of their findings on the immense biodiversity in the waters around the island. The lead investigator of
the study told La Tercera, a newspaper in Chile the following: The data will be important for climate
change research because the poles are experiencing the biggest temperature increases on the globe. If
theres a 4ºC rise globally, we could experience a 16º rise in the North Pole and up to an 8ºC rise inAntarctica. Its massive. The article also informs us of the following: Antarctica is home to a large
range of biodiversity and, unlike the Arctic Circle, possesses a continental shelf that hosts a variety of
life forms. Antarctica contains a relatively untouched preserve of biodiversity because, although there
are climate change effects, there is little direct impact from humans. According to scientists, this is
important for understanding the consequences of man-made climate change (Seitz 2011). Santiago,
Chile, however, is a major source of pollution, although not ranked among the top ten cities in
countries like China, India, Peru, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Zambia. Thus while Chile has thepotential to be a leader in the green revolution, without being overpowering, Santiago is still rather
polluted. This leadership seems to be mostly rather academic and not integrated into solving the
Chile has tremendous beauty, diverse landscape, climate and culture. Its vibrant culture is a
fusion of European influences and indigenous heritage. After several years of tumultuous political
conditions, Chile has established a solid democracy and sound financial system that makes it an
attractive place for foreign investment. An awareness of its unique business and social culture is also
paramount for anyone doing business in Chile. Chilean culture values personal relationships, sincere
interest in others and socializing with each other. The right contacts are used to get information and
conduct business. Third party introductions are common and often necessary. Punctuality is
appreciated and expected, but flexibility to time is also important. Chilean humor can be perceived as
offensive if not completely understand and is frequently used in Chilean conversations. Economic and
political conditions in Chile stabilized after the end of the tumultuous period of the junta rule. Chile has
since gained a reputation as a role model for successful economic and political reforms within South
America. The countrys sound economic policies extensive trade agreements and reputation for strong
financial institutions have made Chile one of the most attractive locations in South America for foreign
investment. Chilean culture is very group-oriented and building deep and lasting relationships is
important. Personal contacts and networks are prerequisites for successful deals where the
establishment of trust, loyalty and strong bonds facilitates business operations in Chile. Chileans are
usually friendly and warm but tend to be very proud and easily offended. Saving face and respecting
each others honor is therefore essential (Langhans 2010). These are helpful points to know if doingbusiness in Chile, and would have to be taken into account, if one wanted to be successful in business
relationships.
Should we choose to invest in Chile among Latin America? Well, I voted for Brazil, its closest
rival in my opinion. Chile and Brazil are the two are the top contenders for foreign investment in Latin
America. While Chile has had tremendous economic growth over the last 20 years, Brazil still attracts
more foreign capital and currently I am going to follow the crowd. For instance, global stock market
indices for non-U.S. markets by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) show the followinginformation: In the last 10 years, the MSCI Brazil Index has grown by 470% while the MSCI Chile Index
has increased by only 270%. Both the countries performed very well when compared to the MSCI
World Index, which fell by about 5% during the same period. Despite the strong performance of the
Brazilian market, some investors prefer Chile over Brazil. In 2008, during the global financial crisis, the
MSCI Brazil Index crashed over 60% whereas the MSCI Chile Index fell only 20%. In addition, the
annualized volatility rates for the past 10 years for Chile and Brazil are 16.3% and 25.4% respectively
(Hunkar 2010).
Differentiating itself from Brazil, as I mentioned before, Chile is heavily dependent on
commodity exports, particularly copper. Brazils economy is more diversified. With a larger population
and rising income levels among the middle class, Brazil offers a wider range of opportunities for
investors. Brazil is, however, more prone to higher volatility since the foreign investment dollars is so
large that is flowing into the country. Here is an illustration of this fact: iShares MSCI Brazil exchange
trade fund (EWZ) offers exposure to the Brazilian market. The fund has an asset base of $10.4B and 76
holdings in the portfolio. Investors can access Chilean equities via the iShares MSCI Chile Investable
Market exchange trade fund (ECH). This exchange trade fund (ETF) has an asset base of $365.0M and
32 holdings in the portfolio. The difference in net assets between the two ETFs is huge since more
investors choose Brazil over Chile (Hunkar 2010). (A graph comparing the above growth rates of Chile
and Brazil Morgan Stanley Capital International Investable Markets is below.)
Thus, I while I respect Chile with all of its gains and believe it is a great place to visit, I stand by
my decision to choose Brazil out of Latin America. Brazil may have somewhat bigger risks, but at this
time I think it has more potential, because it is larger and more diversified, with more choices, with less
susceptible than Chile from environmental catastrophes such as earthquakes and droughts, which cangreatly affect Chile as its economy is dependent on exporting commodities.
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Bibliography. 2011. http://science.jrank.org/pages/7515/Authoritarianism-Latin-America.html (accessed March
25, 2011).
Seitz, Jackie. Chilean Scientists Invent Technology To Map Biodiversity In Antarctica, The Santiago Times .
February 3, 2011. http://www.santiagotimes.cl/news/environmental/20666-chilean-scientists-invent-
technology-to-map-biodiversity-in-antarctica (accessed February 3, 2011).
The Economist. Women in Chile Left Behind - Will Michelle Bachelet help women or hinder them? August 10,2006. http://www.economist.com/node/7281220 (accessed March 26, 2011).
The Heritage Foundation & The Wall Street Journal. 2011 Index of Economic Freedom. 2011.
http://www.heritage.org/Index/Country/Chile (accessed February 14, 2011).
The World Bank. Chile - Country Brief. April 23, 2010.