The year 2013 ends and it is time for companies to start making their own balance sheets. In general, and compiling the reactions of some industry experts, both in air conditioning and refrigeration, the results have a tendency towards stability.
But more than thinking about what 2013 left behind, it is time to be clear about the behavior of the Latin American market for 2014. Specialists are clear in establishing that our region will grow by approximately 3%, according to data from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), while for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (Bbva) the positive market movement for next year will depend largely on what emerging economies can do. In global terms, Bbva estimates that the economy will grow by 2.9% in 2013 and in 2014 the figure would increase to 3.6%.
According to ECLAC, the prices of raw materials play a fundamental role in the behavior of the market in our region and considers that by 2014 these values will stabilize, which will allow to reach better percentages. In addition, the fact that Latin America continues to depend in part on the stability of the United States and Europe compromises growth, although these regions are also expected to improve for the coming year.
In Bbva's considerations, the market will grow in 2013 by approximately 2.4%, however, it is expected that the percentages for 2014 will be much more positive, supported by developing countries: the growth forecast of the Peruvian economy is 5.6%, the Colombian 4.7% and the Chilean 4% and it seems that these will be the pillars of the economy for the near future. Paraguay, on the other hand, also seems to have a positive 2014 with a growth of 5.3%. Obviously, what Brazil and Mexico do will also continue to influence the overall economy.
In HVAC/R, the figures are closely linked to construction and industrial projects. However, the estimates made by both economic entities are a basis for both manufacturers and distributors to take into account what will be the strategic places where efforts should be invested.
