DealMaker Q&A

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Alberto Rebaza

TTR DealMaker Q&A with Rebaza, Alcazar & De Las Casas Partner Alberto Rebaza

Alberto Rebaza
Alberto Rebaza

Alberto Rebaza is founding partner and managing partner of Rebaza, Alcazar & De Las Casas law firm. Partner leads to mergers and acquisitions and corporate areas. In addition to his masters, he has studies at Georgetown University and England. He has also been director in several companies and organizations such as Edegel (Energy), Rigel Peru (Insurance), Liderman (Services), Amrop (Services), IPAE, Pesquera Alexandra (Fishing), YPO, among others.

TTR: Mr. Rebaza, firstly we would like to get your expert opinion, in a brief analysis, on the progress of the Peruvian M&A market in the first four months of the year.

AR: The Peruvian legal market has experienced an unusual volume of M&A closings in 1Q19 for all type and sizes of transactions. From the small/medium size deals with a strong strategic focus, to the multimillion dollar/cross-border deals that cover most of our newspapers. Our team has participated in 7 closings in 2019 so far (including strategic deals such as the sale of Papelsa to Grupo Gloria, the sale of Holding Plaza to Parque Arauco or the purchase of Duraplast and Novatec by Wenco). We are thrilled and have high expectations with our pipeline of transactions for 2Q19.


TTR: According to our data, Peru allocated a significant part of its investments to other Latin American countries, mainly Colombia and Chile. What attracts the interest of Peruvian investors? 


AR: There are several factors that may explain this phenomenon. First, Colombia and Chile are two countries with lots of social, historic, cultural and legal similarities with Peru. A regional expansion within those countries is normally catalogued as a soft landing for foreign investors.

Second, since the launching of the Pacific Alliance (Latin American trade bloc, formed by Peru, Chile, Colombia and Mexico) in 2011, Peruvian investors are taking a close look to the participant countries of the Pacific Alliance to diversify or expand their businesses. It is worth noting that, despite certain tax benefits (agreements to avoid double taxation or tax reductions, among others), the founding members of the Pacific Alliance executed an agreement to abolish all tariffs of merchandise trade by January 2020, making this integration a unique Latin American marketplace for producers.


TTR: Similarly, Colombia appears so far in 2019 as one of the main investors in the country. How do you think this reciprocal business relationship between the two countries will evolve? How does it benefit their economies?


AR: Colombian investors have been major players in the M&A industry in the recent years and I wouldn’t expect that to change in the near future. They are the third major foreign investors in Peru, after Spain and Chile.

Back in 2018, the Colombian Business Council in Peru announced fresh investments for over US$ 2B in Peru for the years 2018 and 2019. Their main focus is on projects related to the infrastructure, electricity, hospitality, transport and in the cosmetic industry.

In addition to the investment projections of Colombian players, I think the real deal will come once the corruption crisis in Peru is overcome. The Colombians experience in public-private partnerships and Public Works Tax Deduction projects will for sure contribute our economy in a positive way. Their input and investment will boost public projects (and therefore our economy) and increase our employment rate considerably.


TTR: Meanwhile, transactions in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Farming and Fishing have increased in Peru, compared with previous years when that subsector wasn’t as prominent. What could you tell us about that? Do you think the tendency will remain?


AR: The fishing industry in Peru is now consolidated, however, the government has been debating the last months certain legislative modifications that may heavily impact the industry, such as the increase of the fishing rights.

On the other hand, we have viewed a transactional boom related to shrimp-based business like the purchase of La Fragata by Marinazul (affiliated to Grupo Camposol).

Furthermore, the agricultural-related industries are facing an unusual increase in their sectors due to the international demand for agricultural products. We have notice the peculiar interest of foreign investments funds and, particularly, private investors from Chile in the purchase of estates in the north of Peru to develop agribusiness and farming companies. Peru is a privileged country for the agribusiness, making it one of the most suitable natural producers. The progressive increase of the worldwide demand, followed by a friendly legal framework that includes income tax reductions and special depreciation conditions are the perfect match for this boost.


TTR: Lastly, Peru has recently suffered and been involved in certain corruption scandals. How do you think those scandals affect the country’s economy today? What is your outlook on the matter?


AR: Thankfully, the political crisis experienced in Peru last year and the current corruption cases have not prevented the unstoppable growth of our economy and, specifically, of the M&A players’ appetite.

However, it is important to note that all major infrastructure projects have been stopped and their continuity is under analysis. This has deeply affected our economy and the governmental stability, lowering the Peruvian employment rate. I believe this corruption turmoil may only be disregarded by a strong political force that needs to convey economic trust and decision-making features. Furthermore, we are now facing an exchange in the players or the main public projects. The typical powerful Brazilian and local companies are been replaced by international actors of various backgrounds.

Should the current government be unable to revert this situation, I believe the presidential elections in 2021 will be the right moment to overcome this scenario.

DealMaker Q&A

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Luiz Nicolau

TTR DealMaker Q&A with Ritch Mueller Partner Luis Nicolau

Luiz Nicolau
Luis Nicolau

Luis A. Nicolau has been a partner at Ritch Mueller since 1990. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity capital markets transactions and banking and finance. He is a leading expert in assisting underwriters and issuers in debt and equity offerings in Mexico and abroad. He has participated in many of the largest public Mexican M&A transactions and advises foreign and domestic private equity funds on a regular basis. He has assisted numerous international financial entities in setting up their Mexican operations, including Scotiabank, JPMorgan, Credit Suisse, Santander and Morgan Stanley.

He currently maintains several board memberships, including at Grupo Posadas, Coca-Cola FEMSA, the public equity fund IGNIA, Morgan Stanley Mexico, UBS Asesores, KIO Networks,  Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua, Gentera, and of the investment committee of Promotora Social México; former President of Fullbright Mexico’s Governing Body, former member of the board of directors of Papalote Museo del Niño, former member of the board of directors of the Indian Mountain School and former member of the Supervisory Board of the Mexican Stock Exchange.

Mr. Nicolau graduated from the Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City in 1986. He obtained a Master in Laws from Columbia University in 1988, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. Before joining Ritch Mueller, he was a foreign associate at Johnson & Gibbs, Dallas, and at Shearman & Sterling in New York. He joined Ritch Mueller in 1990 and has been a partner since then, except for the years 2001 and 2002, when he was the Chief Financial Officer of Vitro.

TTR: To begin, we would like you to give us a brief overview of the course of the first four months of the year in the Mexican M&A market. 

LN: The Mexican market for M&A transactions has been particularly slow for two (2) specific reasons. The first relates to political uncertainty and the lack of visibility in respect of prospects of the Mexican economy. The second, because the aforementioned factors have affected multiples applicable to M&A transactions involving Mexican companies. The good news is that the Fintech market is showing a significant level of activity, given the approval of the new Fintech Law and the fact that the period to obtain licenses under the Fintech Law has commenced. In addition, many Mexican families are showing interest in diversifying holdings and selling stakes, coupled with a different perception of political risk by foreign investors.


TTR:  Year-to-date, the number of transactions in the Internet subsector has increased, compared to last year; what can you tell us in relation to this data? What other sectors do you think will emerge during 2019?


LN: The reality is that generally the technology sectors have shown a substantial level of activity, fueled primarily by dedicated funds with excess liquidity, multiples used in other jurisdictions and the generalized underservice of the Mexican market.

¿Qué otros sectores, cree que, despuntarán a lo largo de 2019? As indicated, the Fintech sector has continued to show dynamism. In addition, the financial services industry has shown signs of further consolidation and there is continued interest in the pharma industry.


TTR:  In relation to the previous question, the majority of investments in the technology sector were from Venture Capital. What place do entrepreneurs and new companies occupy in the country?

LN: Although specific market data is not generally available, this is a sector of special interest, as a result of the new Fintech Law that has provided certainty to the industry, together with the fact that Mexico continues to be underserved from a technology perspective.


TTR:  Meanwhile, according to our records, although Mexico usually allocates a large part of its investments to Latin American countries, it does focus them in the country itself. Why does this unilateral relationship occur? 

LN: Again, this question is difficult to answer without the aid of economic data. However, there has been renewed and ongoing interest by Latin American investors in Mexico, in the Mexican oil and electricity sectors. Real estate and Fintech have shown some dynamism (see the examples of Mercado Libre and Rappi). It seems, however, that the Mexican market is larger, slightly more complex and subject to more competition, and that interesting opportunities remain in existence in several markets in Latin America.


TTR:  Continuing with the same topic, in the medium term, what Latin American countries do you think have the greatest potential to establish new trade links with Mexico and why?

LN: Difficult question to answer and will be dependent upon the desire to diversify, the availability of accretive multiples, competitive financing and the existence of liquidity. Larger Central American groups are likely to continue to look at Mexico as a stable hub, together with Colombia and Peru that are going through stable processes, and of course Brazil with its economic might and better skills to adapt to a large market as Mexico.


TTR:  Apparently, the beginning of the year has not been as economically positive as expected. However, you can see many local businesses in expansion and with the intention of entering new markets. Do you think that this situation could be improved?


LN: It is hard to see significant economic improvement this year, notwithstanding the efforts of private sector groups, because of remaining uncertainties in respect of economic conduction. The end of the year may bring a surprise or two, if the economy remains stable.

DealMaker Q&A

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TTR DealMaker Q&A with Rivero & Gustafson Abogados Partner Eliecer Pérez

Eliecer Pérez

TTR: As the responsible of Corporate /M&A area, how you Will describe the beginning of the year in Spain in mergers and acquisitions?

EP: Generally, the beginning of the new year, has started with the positive trend of 2018, we have seen a significant growth in the operations of M&A, specially from foreign investors that hope in Rivero&Gustafson to go on with its operations in Spain.


TTR: How attractive is the Spanish market against other international economies?

EP: Actually, Spain has a big attractive market for international investors. In 2018, our country finished in an historical position with the M&A operations.
In this sector, the trends are playing a very important paper because they are a sign of confidence for the investors. In this way, the fact that Spain is over other economies, even more solid, confirm that our market will continue to consolidate as one of the best options for M&A operations.


TTR: How can Brexit affect to our market?

EP: Great Britain is still being a high activity market in financial terms. In fact, is expected a period of retaining from investors, waiting for the new political situation to guarantee the same conditions to go on working.
Precisaly, during this expectation period, the Spanish market is a fine opportunity to those investors that, for the first time, are thinking to carry out transactions in our country.
So Brexit, can be an opportunity for uncommon investors in our country that start to make financial projections in Spain.


TTR: In which sector can we see a big interest for the national and international investors?

EP: No doubt, the real estate sector is growing and is a big attractive for the investors we are working with.
In other way, the technological sector is in a very interesting rapid growth phase. The investors are very interested in startups. In that way, in Spain we´ve got an important leader ambition in the young people, which is an important economic incentive for the area professionals.


TTR: Historically, the real estate sector is the most transactions sector in Spain, and 2019 is not an exception, what´s the reason for this?


EP: The real estate sector in Spain count with several factors that explain the wide business volume. The price of property in Prime locations in Madrid and Barcelona is still being very attractive. In comparison with other big European capitals. In addition, the profitability of that real estate inversions, in residential and commercial, are high due to the good functioning of renting market. Is convenience to considerer that our climatic conditions and quality of life, invite to particulars for inversions.


TTR: Into the real estate sector, which locations, besides Madrid and Barcelona, offer a big attractive for investors? Why?

EP: Everything relationed with seasonal tourism offers a big economic attractive. Actually, Costa del Sol and Islas Baleares, are two of the best options to every investors interested in a big profit margins. In other way, Islas Canarias, due to their magnifique climatic conditions, are being a great option for investors against other crowed locations.


Entrevista con Eliecer Pérez Socio Coordinador del Área Mercantil
en Rivero & Gustafson Abogados.

Eliecer Perez es licenciado en Derecho por la Universidad Autónoma (1994) y tiene un Máster en Asesoría Jurídica de Empresa por el Instituto de Empresa (1995). Se incorporó a Rivero & Gustafson Abogados en julio de 2009, pero ya estuvo trabajando 8 años (1997-2005) en el despacho con anterioridad. Fue director de la asesoría jurídica del grupo Cosmani y después director de la asesoría jurídica del RACE (Real Automóvil Club de España).


TTR: Como responsable del Área Mercantil de Rivero & Gustafson, ¿cómo definiría el comienzo de año en materia de fusiones y adquisiciones en España?


EP: En términos generales, podemos decir que el comienzo de año ha venido muy marcado por la tendencia positiva de 2018, hemos comprobado un aumento significativo de las operaciones de M&A, especialmente de inversores extranjeros que confían en Rivero & Gustafson para llevar a cabo sus operaciones en España.


TTR: ¿Cómo de atractivo resulta el mercado español respecto a otras economías internacionales?


EP: A día de hoy, España es un mercado de gran atractivo para inversores internacionales. En 2018, nuestro país acabó en una posición histórica en lo que respecta a operaciones de M&A. En este sector, las tendencias juegan un papel fundamental en tanto que son signo de confianza para los inversores. En este sentido, el hecho de que España esté por encima de otras economías, a priori, más sólidas no hace sino confirmar que
nuestro mercado seguirá consolidándose como una de las mejores opciones para realizar operaciones de M&A.


TTR: ¿De qué manera puede afectar el Brexit a nuestro mercado?


EP: Reino Unido sigue siendo un mercado con una tremenda actividad en términos financieros. Lo cierto es que se prevé un periodo temporal de contención por parte de los inversores, a la espera de que la nueva situación política pueda seguir garantizando las mismas condiciones con las que venían operando.

Precisamente, durante este periodo de expectación, el mercado español es una estupenda oportunidad para aquellos inversores que, por primera vez, se planteen realizar operaciones en nuestro país. De modo que, en definitiva, el Brexit puede suponer una oportunidad para que inversores no habituales en nuestro país comiencen a realizar proyecciones sobre futuros proyectos en España.

TTR: ¿En qué sectores se percibe un mayor interés por parte de inversores nacionales e internacionales?


EP: Sin duda alguna, el sector inmobiliario está en clara tendencia alcista, y constituye un gran atractivo para los inversores con los que trabajamos en Rivero & Gustafson. Por otro lado, el sector tecnológico está igualmente en una fase muy interesante de expansión. Las Startups copan gran parte del interés de los inversores. En este sentido, creo que en España hay un importante espíritu emprendedor por parte de muchos jóvenes, lo cual supone un importante estímulo económico para los profesionales del área.


TTR: Históricamente el sector inmobiliario es el que más operaciones contabiliza en España, y 2019 no es una excepción, ¿a qué se debe esta circunstancia?


EP: El sector inmobiliario en España cuenta con varios factores que explican su
amplio volumen de negocio. El precio de los inmuebles en las zonas Prime de Madrid y Barcelona sigue siendo muy atractivo en comparación con otras grandes capitales europeas.

Además, la rentabilidad de dichas inversiones mobiliarias, tanto en residencial como en comercial, es alta debido al buen funcionamiento del mercado de alquiler. Por último, conviene tener en cuenta que las condiciones de climáticas y de calidad de vida en España, invitan a la inversión de particulares en este sector.


TTR: Dentro del sector inmobiliario, ¿qué localizaciones diría usted, además de Madrid y Barcelona, que ofrecen un mayor atractivo para los inversores? ¿Por qué?


EP: Toda el área vinculada al turismo estacional ofrece siempre un gran atractivo económico. En la actualidad, la Costa del Sol e Islas Baleares son dos de las mejores opciones para cualquier inversor interesado en amplios márgenes de rentabilidad.

Por otro lado, las Islas Canarias, debido a sus magníficas condiciones climatológicas, se están presentando igualmente como una muy buena opción para cualquier inversor frente a otras zonas de España más masificadas.

DealMaker Q&A

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TTR DealMaker Q&A with Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados Partner Moacir Zilbovicius

Moacir Zilbovicius

Moacir’s practice focuses on M&A transactions and general corporate matters with emphasis on publicly-held companies. He represents business conglomerates, domestic and foreign, from different economic sectors. Moacir served as the head of the Legal Department of the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM). He worked as a foreign associate in the New York office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Fundação Antonio e Helena Zerrener (co-controlling shareholders of Ambev).

TTR: How would you assess the performance of the M&A market in Brazil in the first quarter of 2019?

The results of the presidential and congress elections last October gave the market a more optimistic scenario for M&A activities in the first quarter of 2019. In my view, although the expectations were not fully met (and in fact there was a decrease in transactions volume and aggregate value this first quarter with respect to 2018), the market was and it is still very active, especially considering the number of ongoing discussions and movements we have seen taking place.

TTR: What are your expectations for the Brazilian M&A market for the remaining of the year? Which scenarios or trends can already be identified?

The expectations for the remaining of the year are mostly positive  – the outlook for M&A transactions will certainly be enhanced by the approval and implementation of reforms proposed by the new President elected, especially the pension system reform, which is currently under discussion in the Congress and is our biggest domestic headwind.

With respect to scenarios or trends that can already be identified, it is possible to say that an important driver for M&A activity in Brazil will be the announced infrastructure agenda, which is one of the main priorities for the Brazilian Government for this and the following years and aims to attract the private sector to fill infrastructure gaps.  The main sectors announced to be privatized/awarded to the private sector include airports, ports, energy, railroads and roads, mining, as well as banking and related services.

TTR: The Real Estate sector has been among the most actives in Brazil since last year, and has remained stable in 2019, whereas Technology and Financial and Insurance have dropped 15% and 25%, respectively, on the 1Q19. What do you make of these trends and how do you expect these sectors to perform in the coming months and why?

The real estate sector followed the lead of Brazil’s economy (and its modest GDP growth in the prior two years) and experienced a small improvement recently. I believe though that this is still not the ideal scenario for the sector considering all of its potential and opportunities. It is common knowledge that the cost of credit in Brazil is expensive but in my opinion the real estate sector (and this is true for virtually all others) will benefit from the implementation of the proposed reforms and when that occur I have great expectations for the sector given the prospect of the combination of attractive real property prices, less expensive credit and banks willing to approve financing. Furthermore, key strategic real estate players already established in Brazil as well as private equity firms are expected to keep investing in infrastructure projects that, in general, will also demand real estate investments.  

Also driven by the implementation of the pension reform and the consequent strengthening of Brazil’s fundamentals, Technology and Financial and Insurance (and I would also add Retail to the list) sectors are expected to increase their activities, as the M&A market in general.

TTR: Which transactions would you highlight in terms of importance and complexity this year, whether you have acted directly or with the participation of Mattos Filho?

Fortunately, our M&A practice remain busy and growing. For this year’s transactions, we would highlight the sale of Nextel Brasil’s equity interest to América Móvil (Claro). Mattos Filho (together with Jones Day) assisted NII Holdings with the structuring and implementation of the transaction, as well as advice on tax and regulatory matters (CADE and Anatel). From Claro’s perspective, the closing of this transaction will increase its market share, mainly in the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, which will certainly add some complexity for the deal to be approved by regulatory agencies in Brazil (CADE and Anatel). This deal is true a cross-border transaction and will result in the departure of the former giant telecom titan NII from Brazil, which is ending its global activities. Nextel Brazil was NII’s last operational subsidiary, being a complex and high-profile target.

We also advised Raia Drogasil S.A., Brazil’s largest pharmacy retail chain, in connection with the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of Drogaria Onofre Ltda., one of the most recognized companies in the Brazilian retail pharmacy segment and a national leader in e-commerce, owned by subsidiaries of CVS Health Corporation.           

Finally, I should also mention that we have been actively involved in most of the auctions for the concession projects that took place this year. In that regard, we advised Raízen, part of “Nordeste Consortium”, which has won the auction held by the Brazilian Federal Government for the Port Terminal AI-01, located in the Port of Cabedelo, in the state of Paraíba. We also advised two of the bidders for the Northeast Block (Recife (PE), Maceió (AL), Aracaju (SE), Juazeiro do Norte (CE), João Pessoa (PB), and Campina Grande (PB)) at the airports auction carried out by the Brazilian government, and one of the bidders for the auction of railroad “Trecho ferroviário Porto Nacional/TO a Estrela D’Oeste/SP”, which Rumo has won.

DealMaker Q&A

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TTR Dealmaker Q&A with Hernández & Cía. Partner
Juan Luis Hernández

Juan Luis Hernández

Juan Luis Hernández Gazzo studied in the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, (1994) and in the Harvard Law School – Master of Law (LL.M), (1998). He begin his career as speaker at different national and international forums in the matter of Banking and Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets. Later he worked in the legal area of the Peruvian Securities and Exchange Commission – CONASEV (Current Capital Markets superintendent) (1994). Since 1998 til 1999 was in New York as International Associate at Shearman & Sterling. Currenty he is partner in Hernández & Cía firm where he started his career in 1992.

TTR: What your perception of the economic performance in Latin America, and particularly, in Peru this year?

The first quarter of the year is usually a bit slow in terms of legal activity across all economic sectors. However, 2019 has begun quite strong for us, which suggests our workload will be even greater for the rest of the year.

There is an interesting dynamic in Peru, not only because our firm has had sustained growth in recent years (48% in 2018), but also because the market itself has grown significantly. In terms of M&A, for example, we are seeing a greater volume of transactions, due to a combination of several factors.

In general terms, we see more activity in 1Q19 compared to previous years, both for our firm and countrywide. At the regional level, it is a bit more complicated; Based on my discussions with other attorneys in Latin America, countries like Chile and Colombia, which have strong connections to Peru, are experiencing similar scenarios. 


TTR: Why is there so much M&A in the extractives sector and in financial services?  

In the case of Peru, the mining sector had a strong start this year. Peru is fundamentally a mining country and, together with Chile, is one of the leaders in the mining industry regionally. Peru has a wide variety of minerals, which is a plus, and the rise in prices of various metals has driven a revival in the industry. This revival has spurred new projects and led to M&A targeting companies in the sector, even those in the exploration stage.  The mining industry and natural resources generally in Peru constitute an essential driver of the country’s economic future.

We have not witnessed a particular surge of activity in financial services as this sector consolidated a long time ago. It is unusual to see significant M&A activity in financial services because the country’s financial institutions have been quite structured for time ago. This does not mean that we are only going to see transactional activity in mining, but in other sectors as well.


TTR: In which other sectors do you expect to see M&A deals this year?

The Peruvian market will undergo consolidation in retail – in the broadest sense – and among companies providing services of different to SMEs. We believe the explanation is due to the current situation in the country. Paradoxically, we usually complain about how we are doing as a country, but if we compare ourselves to other markets regionally, we continue to be one of the main focuses of investment in Latin America. From the outside, they see us as attractive because we have been doing things well for 25 years in macroeconomics, besides offering investors a secure legal framework. We believe that infrastructure activity will soon rebound again. This sector has been stuck over the past few years,but once reactivated, it will generate a significant number of deals.


TTR: Colombia has been an important commercial partner to Peru, both as a destination and origin for invesment. What explains this and with which other regional markets do you expect Peru to strengthen its ties?

It has to do with a virtuous circle that has been generated between Peru, Colombia and Chile for some time now. We have many clients, that is, many multinational companies, that manage their regional operations from Lima, Bogotá or Santiago. In addition, there are many cross-border businesses with Colombian investors investing in Peru, and vice versa.

Also, the relationship with Chile is quite solid, it’s a phenomenon that has been going on for many years in Peru and is on the rise, not only fomented from Chile to Peru, but also from Peru to Chile. That is why we are confident that it will continue to develop as it has done to date.

It would be very positive for the country to have more trade and investment with Mexico. Let’s hope that soon the rapprochement will materialize. Everything suggests there will be stronger economic ties to Brazil as well. Because Brazil is so big, many companies there concentrate on satisfying domestic demands, but ultimately the larger companies can be expected to outgrow the country’s borders and invest abroad.


TTR: What’s your outlook for the remainder of 2019?

The expectation is very positive regarding the development of our country. We have had an atypical beginning this year due to its dynamism and, if the normal trend of increasing M&A activity throughout the year persists, we will have a very active 2019. The large Peruvian business groups are very active, eager to expand, trying to find synergies. We have many transactions of this type in Hernández Cía. Abogados, in addition to the mining projects that are expected to be reactivated promptly. In conclusion, the outlook is very positive.

Entrevista con Juan Luis Hernández, socio de Hernández Cía. Abogados.

TTR: En primer lugar, ¿podría brindarnos una visión general de cómo se está dando comienzo el año en Latinoamérica y en Perú en particular? ¿Cree que está transcurriendo tal y cómo se esperaba?

Según nuestra experiencia a nivel local, siempre el primer trimestre del año es más ‘lento’ en cuanto a la actividad legal y en todos los sectores económicos. Sin embargo, este 2019 ha comenzado bastante fuerte para nosotros como Firma, lo cual -afortunadamente- nos hace pensar que la carga de trabajo será aún más elevada para todo lo que resta del año.

Existe una dinámica interesante en el Perú. No solamente porque nuestro estudio haya tenido un crecimiento sostenido en los últimos años (48% solamente en el año 2018), sino también porque el mercado en sí mismo ha tenido un incremento sostenido importante. Por dar un ejemplo, en materia de M&A -que es uno de los aspectos en los cuales TTR se focaliza- estamos viendo un mayor volumen de transacciones, debido a una combinación de varios factores.

En términos generales, vemos más actividad en este primer trimestre del 2019, a comparación con años anteriores, tanto a nivel estudio como a nivel país. A nivel región, es un poco más complicado de opinar; por lo que he podido compartir con diferentes abogados de Latinoamérica, la percepción que tengo es que países como Chile y Colombia tienen relaciones consolidadas con nuestro país; por tal motivo, los 3 tenemos escenarios similares.

TTR: En cuanto a los sectores que están teniendo un inicio de año más positivo, destacan el de recursos naturales, el financiero y de seguros ¿a qué cree que puede deberse?

En el caso peruano, el sector minero ha tenido un fuerte inicio de año. No nos olvidemos que el Perú es un país fundamentalmente minero y que marca una diferencia muy importante en toda la región junto con Chile, países líderes en la industria minera. Asimismo, nuestro país cuenta con un “plus” adicional, pues cuenta con una amplia variedad de minerales. La subida de precios de diversos metales ha generado que la industria se reactive.

Por ello, existen nuevos proyectos y más posibilidades de compras de empresas del sector, incluso en etapa de exploración.  La industria minera y los recursos naturales en el Perú constituyen un driver esencial en el devenir económico.

Por otro lado, no vemos un movimiento particular en el sector financiero ni en el de seguros; están consolidados desde hace mucho tiempo. Es muy raro ver una actividad transaccional de M&A muy fuerte allí porque son sectores más o menos estructurados desde hace tiempo. Esto no quiere decir que únicamente vayamos a ver intercambios transaccionales de materia minera, sino en otros campos también.

TTR: Además de los sectores que se mencionan en la pregunta anterior, ¿qué otros sectores, y por qué, piensa que tienen más potencial de crecimiento durante este ejercicio?

El mercado peruano tendrá varias operaciones que involucran temas de retail-en el sentido más amplio-y temas de prestación de servicios a las MYPES en distintos rubros. Creemos que la explicación se debe a la situación actual del país. Paradójicamente, internamente solemos quejarnos de cómo nos va como país, pero si nos comparamos a nivel regional, seguimos siendo uno de los principales focos de inversión en Latinoamérica. Desde afuera nos ven de manera atractiva porque estamos haciendo bien las cosas desde hace 25 años en temas de macroeconomía, además de que ofrecemos a los inversionistas seguridad jurídica.

Consideramos que pronto se va a venir-nuevamente-una actividad sustancial en materia de proyectos e infraestructura. A la fecha dicho sector ha estado estancado, que una vez reactivado generará una relevante cantidad de operaciones económicas.

TTR: Según nuestros datos, Colombia es el país con el que más negocios ha llevado a cabo el Perú este año, tanto como inversor, como receptor de inversiones ¿Considera que se debe a algún motivo en especial? ¿Con qué países cree que podría reforzar sus relaciones comerciales, y por qué?

Tiene que ver con un círculo virtuoso que se ha ido generando entre Perú, Colombia y Chile desde hace un tiempo. Tenemos muchos clientes, es decir, muchas empresas multinacionales que manejan la región desde Lima, que maneja la región de Bogotá y que maneja la región desde Santiago. Además, hay muchos negocios cruzados, hay inversionistas locales colombianos invirtiendo en Perú y viceversa.

Asimismo, la relación con Chile es bastante sólida, es un fenómeno que cuenta con muchos años en el Perú y que va en aumento, no solo fomentada de Chile a Perú, sino que también de Perú a Chile. Por ello, confiamos en que se siga desarrollando como hasta ahora.

Ahora, sería muy positivo para el país tener más intercambio comercial e inversiones con México. Esperemos que pronto los acercamientos se concreten. Por su parte, con Brasil, todo indica que va a haber iniciativas desde el punto de vista económico que entusiasman al mercado. Por ser tan amplio permite que las empresas se concentren en satisfacer las demandas internas; sin embargo, también hay una expectativa para que se invierta en el extranjero.

TTR: Por último, ¿puede ofrecernos algunos comentarios sobre cuál es su predicción para lo que queda de 2019?

La expectativa es muy positiva en cuanto al desarrollo de nuestro país. Hemos tenido un comienzo de año atípico por su dinamismo  y, si se cumple la predicción de siempre- que este es el trimestre más bajo del año-, vamos a estar frente a un 2019 muy activo. Los grandes grupos empresariales peruanos están muy activos, con ganas de expandirse, de tratar de buscar sinergias. Estamos con muchas operaciones de ese tipo en Hernández Cía. Abogados, además de los proyectos mineros que se esperan sean reactivados prontamente.

En conclusión, la predicción es muy positiva.