BUS613: Advanced International Business

North America

References to emerging markets in North America essentially mean Mexico, a nation with 126 million people that borders the United States and is a member of trade agreements with the U.S. and Canada. Mexico, with its lower labor costs, has benefitted from access to these markets. Companies have set up production facilities in Mexico to ship products throughout North America. 

Mexico

• Population – 126.19 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 2.1% 
• GDP Size - $1.2 trillion 
• Foreign Direct Investment (2018) $38.6 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 65.8% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 21% 
• Time required to start a business – 8 days
  
  

South America 

South America has several developing countries that provide many opportunities for outside companies seeking new markets and investors looking to benefit from development returns. There are two very important emerging markets in South America: Brazil and Colombia. 

Brazil 

• Population – 209.4 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 1.3% 
• GDP Size - $1.885 trillion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - $78.1 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 70.4% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 13% 
• Time required to start a business – 20 days 

Colombia 

• Population – 49.65 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 2.5% 
• GDP Size - $333 billion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - $11.5 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 64.1% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 7% 
• Time required to start a business – 11 days
  
  

Europe

Europe has several developing countries, primarily in Eastern Europe, that were former members of the Soviet bloc that became independent in the early 1990s. These economies have benefited from economic integration within Europe in recent decades. 

Poland 

• Population – 37.7 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 5.3% 
• GDP Size - $587 billion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - $16.69 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 77.5% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 11% 
• Time required to start a business – 37 days 

Czech Republic 

• Population – 10.63 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 2.8% 
• GDP Size - $244.99 billion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - $8.3 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 80.7% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 20% 
• Time required to start a business – 25 days
  
  

Middle East 

The Middle East has benefitted from the accumulation of vast wealth due to the large oil reserves in several countries. The region has also experienced political turmoil and war, which has created elevated risk in certain areas. However, several emerging markets in the region are noteworthy investments for the future. 

United Arab Emirates 

• Population – 9.6 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 1.2% 
• GDP Size - $422 billion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - S10.3 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 98.5% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 11% 
• Time required to start a business – 4 days 

Saudi Arabia

• Population – 33.7 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 2.4% 
• GDP Size - $786 billion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - $4.2 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 93.3% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 1% 
• Time required to start a business – 18 days
  
  

Africa 

The African continent has experienced massive economic expansion and growth in opportunities. Although the continent has suffered from poverty, disease, and political corruption in the past, there is great optimism that it can look to a more hopeful future. Several countries are opening up and reforming their economic policies to attract foreign investment and create educational opportunities for their populations. Expect to see tremendous growth in Africa in the next 50 years, particularly in these countries. 

South Africa 

• Population – 57.68 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 0.8% 
• GDP Size - $368.29 billion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - $5.56 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 56.2% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 5% 
• Time required to start a business – 40 days 

Nigeria 

• Population – 195.87 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 1.9% 
• GDP Size - $398.16 billion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - 81.997 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 42% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 2% 
• Time required to start a business – 11 days
  
  

Asia

Asia has rapidly developed since the end of the Second World War. and the pace of development has increased further since the 1980s. Many Asian countries implemented critical economic reforms and now produce many of the products commonly used worldwide. Asia has many emerging markets: below are three that are the most influential and developing rapidly. 

China 

• Population – 1.3 billion 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 6.8% 
• GDP Size - 513.894 trillion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - 5235 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 54.3% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 80% 
• Time required to start a business – 9 days 

India 

• Population – 1.352 billion 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 6.1% 
• GDP Size - 52.713 trillion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - 542.117 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 34.5% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 78% 
• Time required to start a business – 17 days 

Vietnam 

• Population – 95.54 million 
• GDP Growth (2018) – 7.1% 
• GDP Size - $245.21 billion 
• Foreign Direct Investment - 515.5 billion 
• Percent of population using the internet – 70.3% 
• High technology exports (% of manufacturing exports) – 40% 
• Time required to start a business – 17 days
  For More country data, review the World Bank's database at https://data.worldbank.org/country.
  

Source: Saylor Academy
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