BUS 362: Understanding Emerging Economies

Pooja Thakur-Wernz

Colombia: Economic Overview
John Wallace, Ayush Kataria, and Ricardo Sanchez

Poster titled “Colombia: Economic Overview” by John Wallace, Ayush Kataria, and Ricardo Sanchez. It outlines Colombia’s unitary republic political system, civil law legal structure, and economy focused on oil, mining, tech, and manufacturing. Includes a bar and line graph of GDP from 2015–2024 and a trade chart showing major exports (crude oil, coal) and imports (machinery, fuels). Notes on foreign investment (mainly from the U.S. and Spain), local firms like Ecopetrol and Bancolombia, and foreign firms like Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Chevron. Cultural photos show traditional Colombian dancers and a soccer player. Highlights trade partners, liberalization since the 1990s, and sustainability goals.

Understanding Mexico
Vi Cao, Helen Zhang, Teddie Steffelin, and Uno Christopher

Poster titled “Understanding Mexico” by Vi Cao, Helen Zhang, Teddie Steffelin, and Uno Christopher. It outlines Mexico’s political, economic, and legal systems, highlighting a mixed economy with key exports like automobiles and crude oil. Growth opportunities include agriculture, nearshoring, and domestic policy support. Obstacles include tariffs, corruption, organized crime, and limited academic freedom. Bar graphs show projected GDP growth and the negative impact of investment cuts. Major local firms listed include FEMSA, WalMex, and América Móvil; foreign firms include GM and Banco Santander. Cultural section notes a blend of Spanish and Indigenous influences.

Exploring Thailand as an Emerging Economy
Trey Peterson, Thomas Kallen, and Thomas Pangburn

Poster titled “Exploring Thailand as an Emerging Economy” by Trey Peterson, Thomas Kallen, and Thomas Pangburn from Washington and Lee University. It outlines Thailand's political structure (constitutional monarchy), legal system (statutory law), and cultural elements (illustrated icons including traditional dress, food, and transport). It highlights economic transformation from agriculture to tech exports, major foreign firms like Toyota and Samsung, Thai state-owned enterprises, and innovation rankings. Includes a bar chart of Thailand’s top exports (electronics, machinery, vehicles, rubber, etc.) and a vertical bar graph of annual GDP growth from 1961 to 2021.

The Emerging Economy of Argentina
Sam Stelter, CJ Hovis, Jackson Brooks, and Jake Shaud

Poster titled “The Emerging Economy of Argentina” by Sam Stelter, CJ Hovis, Jackson Brooks, and Jake Shaud. It outlines Argentina’s political landscape under President Javier Milei, high inflation rates (projected to drop from 219% in 2024 to 36% in 2025), and a representative democracy with poor global rankings in rights and legal efficiency. Culturally, it highlights tango and soccer. Features two pie charts on foreign direct investment by country and sector, a treemap of exports (led by soybeans, corn, and cars), and top trade partners including Brazil, China, and the U.S. Lists top 10 local brands like Mercado Libre and YPF. Notes foreign firm relationships, including joint ventures and land ownership limits.

Saudi Arabia
Scott Showalter, Ellery McKnight, Devin Bateman, and Charlie Salome Sabines

Poster titled “Saudi Arabia” by Scott Showalter, Ellery McKnight, Devin Bateman, and Charlie Salome Sabines. It describes Saudi Arabia’s political structure (Islamic monarchy under Sharia law), economy (oil-dependent with 3.6% growth forecast), and culture (strong Islamic presence, patriarchal society, indirect communication). A pie chart shows crude petroleum and natural gas make up 38.7% of GDP, followed by government services and manufacturing. Key foreign firms include PepsiCo, Bechtel, and Boeing; local firms listed are Saudi Aramco, Mobily, and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). A line graph depicts Saudi Arabia’s fluctuating GDP growth from 1980 to 2025.