Brazil Admits to 'Race Against Time' for FIFA Infrastructure Improvements

President Dilam Rousseff admitted that several host cities are in a "race against time" to complete the infrastructure improvements needed to sustain the millions of World Cup tourists expected in 2014.  Consultancy Ernst & Young along with the Getulio Vargas Foundation reported that Brazil will need to pour $11 billion into road repairs, boosted hotel capacity, reinforcement security, and telecommunications network improvements.  Brazil has received several warnings from FIFA over delays in construction projects that must be ready by 2014. An estimated $3 billion will be spent increasing airport capacity at both Sao Paulo and Rio de Janiero International Airports.  Rousseff has signed off on the most costly infrastructure improvements, which entail the improvement of underground transit systems in all of Brazil's host cities (shown below).

Expect major upgrades in transit, accommodations, and mobile networks for these cities by 2014.


Read it here at Times of India.

How Violence in Mexico Affects Nearshoring

As the buzz about drug cartels, tourist beheadings, and all sorts of political unrest rises, it threatens to undermine Mexico’s established credibility as a nearshoring destination. This article weighs the effects of rising violence against the country’s numerous benefits including a bilingual workforce, time zone alignment, and substantial cost advantages. You’ll also find advice that companies should take into consideration before investing in a nearshoring engagement in Mexico, or any other politically volatile region.

Read it at Forbes.