In this episode, we explore India’s Semiconductor Surge: Driving Force of “Make in India”, highlighting the country’s ambition to become a global manufacturing leader through semiconductor growth and the strategic U.S.-India Semiconductor Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership.

We also revisit India’s Golden Decade Has Already Begun, an interview with Ian Herbison, CEO of Speyside group discussing India’s evolving role in the global supply chain and the shift away from China.

Why hasn’t IKEA entered Brazil yet? In this episode, we explore the reasons behind IKEA’s absence in Brazil’s market, including tough competition from local brands and logistical challenges. Tune in for insights!

This episode was made with NotebookLM.

Read more: No IKEA in Brazil: Local Furniture Brands Pose Fierce Competition

In this episode, powered by Google’s NotebookLM AI Tool, we dive into how Showmax has overtaken Netflix in Africa by focusing on local content, language diversity, and flexible payment options. We also explore Africa's booming music streaming industry, where platforms like Boomplay and Spotify are reshaping the music scene despite challenges like piracy and data costs.

Want to learn more? Check out the full articles:

Walmart's "Everyday Low Prices" strategy may have succeeded in the US, but it faced a surprising defeat in Brazil.

Despite a super fast expansion through acquisitions in the early 2000s, Walmart failed to connect with Brazilian shoppers who preferred promotional deals and local stores over the giant’s hypermarkets.

The company struggled against strong competitors like Carrefour and GPA, and its poor brand positioning left it unable to capture both low-income and middle-class consumers.

By 2021, Walmart exited Brazil entirely, selling its stake to Carrefour Brasil.

Tune in to learn what went wrong, or read more here.

In this episode, I’m doing something completely different.

I invited two AI voices from Google’s new NotebookLM tool to join me for a conversation about one of my latest articles—how Chinese automaker BYD is investing in Brazil’s electric vehicle market!

We dive into why a country famous for its ethanol cars is now a battleground for the EV revolution, and how BYD’s strategy to build local (instead of importing pricey models like Tesla) could be a game-changer.

You can read the full article here.

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This is the last encore episode of 2023!

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

Guyana's Transformation: Since the discovery of oil in 2015, Guyana has been on a remarkable journey of growth. It's projected to have a real GDP growth rate of 4346%.

The Qatar of South America: Steven believes that Guyana has the potential to become the "Qatar of South America" and the world's fastest-growing economy. This bold claim is backed by the country's massive oil reserves and its strategic location.

Investment Opportunities: Guyana's growth isn't just about oil. There are significant opportunities in infrastructure development, eco-tourism, and real estate. Plans are underway for a massive deepwater harbor and a road or rail network connecting Guyana to Brazil.

The Future of Guyana: Despite its small population, Steven predicts an influx of people due to its status as the fastest-growing economy.

For more on Smart City Clearing Company Ltd.(Sc3) click here

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Another encore from one of my favorite episodes!

We talked about the little known country of Suriname. Our guest, Monique Pool, founder and director of the Green Heritage Fund Suriname, shares her insights and experiences with her journey into the wildlife conservation.

Here are my three biggest takeaways from the episode:

Learn more about Monique and the Green Heritage Fund Suriname here

You can contact them here

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This is an encore episode!

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This episode is an encore!

The year was 2021, in the middle of the Covid pandemic and I interviewed Carlos Kazuo Missao, and he was the director of the GFT Group in Brazil. This episode captured all the changes the fintech sector was going through (and still is).

Here's a sneak peek of what we discussed:

The Brazilian Fintech Landscape: Brazil is a hotbed for entrepreneurs and interconnected individuals, making it an exciting environment for fintech. The pandemic has even accelerated digital transformation in the financial market, leading to the success of challenger banks and digital wallets.

The Power of PIX: We discussed the new instant payment solution, PIX, launched by the Brazilian central bank. It's revolutionizing payments in Brazil, with over 2 billion reais transferred in the first month alone!

The Rise of Digital Wallets: Digital wallets have thrived in Brazil as a cheaper way to handle digital money. They've become marketplaces where users can transact money between companies and access consumer financial services.

Banking the Unbanked: We touched on the issue of unbanked individuals in Brazil, and how digital wallets and light apps with financial services are reaching this population. The pandemic has even led to a surge in the number of people becoming banked overnight.

Open Banking Revolution: Carlos shared his insights on the importance of open banking regulation in Brazil, aiming to democratize access to financial services and create a more competitive environment.

Carlos believes that this is just the beginning for the fintech sector in Brazil. With the country's entrepreneurial spirit, the availability of technology, and supportive regulations, the future looks promising.

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