- Premier event for knowledge-based services in Latin America and the Caribbean
BUENOS AIRES – The 10th edition of Outsource2LAC, the premier event for knowledge-based services (KBS) investment and trade in Latin America and the Caribbean, gathered over 1,000 entrepreneurs, companies, and government representatives from 32 countries.
During the forum, more than 2, 000 business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings were held, covering areas such as software development, technological solutions (chatbots and mobile applications), automation, cybersecurity, web design, video game development, agricultural technologies (AgTech), telemedicine, and financial technologies (Fintech). Other areas discussed were solutions with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality, and cloud computing.
This edition, on December 4-5, featured prominent industry experts, SMEs, startups, academics, and public sector representatives, who discussed the present and future of exporting digital services and solutions in the region. Buyers and investors from Asia, Europe, the United States, and Canada attended, along with 21 trade and investment promotion agencies from the region.
“Digital transformation is a key driver for growth, competitiveness, and productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our region is emerging as a major player in global services exports, driven by the creativity and talent of its people and the capacity for technological adoption, adaptation, and innovation of its companies and startups,” said Fabrizio Opertti, manager of the integration and trade sector at the IDB.
Through Outsource2LAC, Opertti explained:
” We connect the region’s companies with global opportunities, recognizing that knowledge-based services drive productivity, diversify exports, and generate high-value jobs while promoting innovation, sustainability, and inclusion.”
The first day included panels and special presentations on key topics, including the adoption of AI and its impact on the globalization of knowledge-based services, the potential of local tech ecosystems for generating growth and innovations in shared services centers. Other areas discussed were the role of AI infrastructure in boosting innovation and competitiveness in digital services, and opportunities in exporting telemedicine services.
During the event, the BID for the Americas program was presented. The program is designed to foster business opportunities and strengthen economic ties between 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries and key partners in Europe, North America, and Asia. It also aims to connect companies from these countries with procurement, trade and investment, and co-financing opportunities.
During the event, the “BID for the Americas App” was introduced – a cutting-edge mobile and desktop application powered by artificial intelligence. The platform connects companies with procurement opportunities in IDB-financed projects, including those in the information technology sector.
The second day covered topics such as talent transformation in the era of AI, new revenue models for Fintech, monetizing digital services using AI, challenges and opportunities for attracting venture capital, innovations in global shared services centers, the cross-media expansion of video games, and the acceleration of technological adoption in the AgTech industry.
Participants highlighted the importance of public goods promoted by the IDB, including trade and foreign investment promotion, innovation, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and human capital development, in close collaboration with key industry players. The IDB has played a central role in financing such initiatives in countries like Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, and Jamaica, reaffirming its commitment to the international promotion of the sector.
Outsource2LAC 2024 was organized by the IDB and its business social network ConnectAmericas, in collaboration with Argentina’s ministry of economy, the secretariat of innovation of Argentina, science and technology under the chief of the ministerial Ccbinet, the Argentine Investment and International Trade Agency (AAICI), and the ministry of foreign affairs, international trade and worship of Argentina.
