Venture Equity Latin America's 2008 Year-End Report Announced

CONCORD, Mass., March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the global financial crisis,
fundraising for Latin America private equity hit a new record in 2008.
However, there was a sharp drop in private equity investments, according to
the just released Venture Equity Latin America's 2008 Year-End Report,
published by WorldTrade Executive, Inc.

Fundraising in Latin America reached $5.781 billion in 2008 and surpassed the
$4.654 billion seen previously in 2007. However, investment levels went from
$7.545 billion in 2007 to $3.086 billion by the end of 2008.

Despite lower investment levels in 2008, there are positive indications that
the next couple of years could see stronger levels. As Ulises Flores, who
helps oversee Latin American activity for C.P. Eaton Partners, noted in an
interview with Venture Equity Latin America (VELA), "Most of the countries
have announced fiscal stimulus and plans to invest in infrastructure and
energy. We have seen fantastic signs." Flores added, "What we've seen is a
pause by limited partners. There's been a re-pricing of risk, a reassessment
of portfolios."

As VELA noted, most fund managers have been in Latin America for a long
time-generally about 10 years. Meanwhile, Latin American fund managers have
dealt with the currency crises of the 1990s and recession early this decade.
As Flores observed, "Fund managers have seen the downside and correction. They
are probably better positioned to take care of business in a crisis than their
counterparts in other markets.

Overall, investment levels were down for most countries in Latin America in
2008 compared to 2007, but the Andean Region saw a significant rise in the
level of investment from $377 million in 2007 to $973.6 million in 2008.
Investments in Brazil, where much of the private equity activity in the region
was centered, came to $1.983 billion compared to $5.285 billion during 2007
and $1.3 billion in 2006. Mexico also disclosed far fewer deal activity, with
2008 investments totaling only $129.5 million as compared to $717 million the
year earlier.

Venture Equity Latin America's 2008 Year-End Report provides detailed analysis
of deals, fund raising and exits so that the user can track industry trends
with year to year comparison data.

Venture Equity Latin America is a twice monthly publication that delivers
comprehensive information on the Latin American private equity and venture
capital industry. The focus of the publication is on venture capital and
private equity deal flow; new fund raising endeavors; exit activity;
restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings impacting existing investments; and
regulatory developments.

The publisher, WorldTrade Executive, Inc. also publishes Latin American Law
and Business Report and Practical Latin American Tax Strategies, as well as
other periodicals and reports, such as Mexico Tax Law & Business Briefing,
covering international transactions.

For more information visit http://www.wtexecutive.com or contact Jay Stanley
at 978-287-0301. Free content is available at
http://www.latinexecutive.blogspot.com/
Contact Information:
Jay Stanley
WorldTrade Executive, Inc.
2250 Main St.
Concord, MA 01742 USA
978-287-0301
email: Jay@wtexec.com
Website: www.wtexecutive.com

SOURCE Venture Equity Latin America

Jay Stanley of WorldTrade Executive, Inc., +1-978-287-0301, Jay@wtexec.com