In the panel Entrepreneurs in Dialogue, four business leaders were united in their view that the key to successful ventures in Latin America lies in trust-based partnerships and long-term collaboration. Cooperation in Latin America is expected to take place on the basis of partnerships between equals – a dynamic that goes far beyond transactional exchanges. At the heart of such partnerships lie personal connections, a continuous presence on the ground, and the cultivation of mutual trust, all of which are essential for long-term success. In this context, the traditional German business mindset can only truly flourish when it is coupled with openness, an understanding of local cultures, and a commitment to building and maintaining relationships – across business, government, and personal spheres alike.
This is precisely where the Partnering in Business with Germany programme comes into play. Built on personal relationships, it fosters encounters between companies on an equal footing. Through close contact with Latin American business partners, German companies gain valuable insights into local customs – and vice versa. The Partnering in Business with Germany programme has been bringing Mexican managers to Germany since 2013 and Chilean managers since 2017. This has given rise to a network of nearly 1,000 Latin American alumni – a rich source of contacts for Bavarian SMEs at the Latin America Forum. The soon-to-be new participating countries Colombia and Brazil offer exciting opportunities – for instance, Bavarian SMEs are already proposing collaborative ventures in Brazil’s medical technology sector.
The Latin American market holds immense business potential for German companies – from renewable energy and hydrogen projects, to critical raw materials, industrial cooperation, aerospace, automotive, and agritech sectors.
