David P. Michaels – STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS

Investment in Latin America: History repeating itself?

By

David P. Michaels

Initially, I was delighted to receive the invitation to chair the plenary morning session of the Hedge Funds World LatAm 2008, however, I immediately questioned why I had received the invitation rather than someone from the hedge funds world. Perhaps it was because of my many decades of experience in the Latin American region, and in particular, my knowledge of the many differing business cultures. Perhaps it was also because I advised on a number of problem investments on behalf of limited partners, and do not want a repeat of previous Latin American investment (so called) “strategies” promoted by a number of fund managers that concluded in many write-offs for investors, and negative consequences for portfolio companies.

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“FORTRESS U.N: THE NEW WORLD ORDER AND THE FIEFDOMS OF THE UNITED NATIONS”

Provides insight into the U.N.’s ‘organizational gridlock’ and offers practical proposals to produce positive modification of the U.N. ‘system’ in support of the Secretary-General’s desire for productive change.

(Introduction by Sir Alan Walters)

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ECONOMIC SOLUTION TO THE FALKLANDS/MALVINAS DILEMMA

A principal step towards a ‘diplomatic’ solution to the dilemma is to invite the Islands to become a member of Mercosur, the South American common market. Since sovereignty is becoming less important in a global economy, the differences over the Falkland’s/Malvinas sovereignty can be mitigated by including the islands into a regional trading block. In time the Falklands/Malvinas will be considered politically aligned with the Mercosur countries, while maintaining its traditional ties with Britain. With its rich natural resources, it will be a boon for the entire region and the friction over their sovereignty will be reduced.

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