ASUTIL
Interview: ASUTIL Secretary General Carlos Loaiza-Keel
José Luis Donagaray recently announced he is stepping down after 22 years of distinguished service as Secretary-General of ASUTIL, which represents South America’s duty free retail sector. He will be succeeded by Carlos Loaiza-Keel, Secretary General of CEFSU, the Chamber of Uruguayan Free Shop Operators. Senior Business Editor Mark Lane puts questions to the new man in charge of the association, asking him his vision for ASUTIL.
The Moodie Davitt Report: Carlos, you are stepping into the big shoes of José Luis Donagaray. What are your thoughts on his contribution to ASUTIL over the years?
Carlos Loaiza-Keel: José Luis is a key person for the duty free industry in Latin America and one of the main reasons why we find ASUTIL in such good shape after so many years.
But first and foremost, he is a generous friend, a dedicated and rigorous worker, and a person with principles. This explains the extraordinary development of ASUTIL over the years and the depth and quality of his ties with so many people in the industry.
All of this will undoubtedly be missed, but he has built an extraordinary team, together with Mrs. Silvia Gestal and Mr. Diego de Freitas, whom I would like to acknowledge. This is also to José Luis’ credit. And we are certain that he will always be close by, supporting us at every step.
Carlos Loaiza-Keel speaks at a press conference during this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes. Pictured top is the Hilton Corferias in Bogotá, venue for the 2024 ASUTIL Conference
Tell us about your background and what led to you becoming involved with ASUTIL.
I am a lawyer, with regional coordination tasks, and I also develop academic activities in my area of expertise, international taxation.
I first got involved with the duty free industry when the Chamber of Uruguayan Free Shop Operators (CEFSU) was formed in 2011. At that time, investments among relevant players in the Free Shop industry were beginning to arrive to the borders of Uruguay and Brazil. These groups wanted to professionalise the management and defence of their sectorial interests.
Already at that time I had the impulse for CEFSU to approach ASUTIL, because of my personal affinity with some members of its board, such as Enrique Urioste, and of course, José Luis Donagaray.
But I did it also because of the role that I understand ASUTIL has played in consolidating itself as a key player in the defence of the industry’s interests in Latin America.
My life, as the son of a diplomat, has been marked by internationality and I appreciated the value that an institution like this could bring to give greater impetus to the Uruguayan Chamber. Since then, collaboration has developed between the institutions, something that, among other things, crystallised in the multiple border store conferences that we jointly organised with great success.
My involvement with ASUTIL is explained in this series of events, but above all in the affection and trust in José Luis Donagaray to form a great team.
Tell us please why the work of ASUTIL is important and about the achievements of the organisation in recent years.
I believe that the first achievement has been to build a brand, a forum, and a space for industry players to meet and strengthen their ties. ASUTIL’s annual conference is ample proof of this.
In addition, ASUTIL has been successfully involved in relevant regulatory aspects in favour of the industry, such as the increase in the airport free shops allowances or the improvements of aspects of the border free shop regulations in Brazil and Uruguay.
What is your motivation for taking on the ASUTIL Secretary General role, and what qualities will you bring to it?
When José Luis and ASUTIL’s board proposed my name, I could not refuse, given the admiration I had always for the work of José Luis in the institution and the relevant role I believe the institution has for the industry.
I understand that my training in the legal area and also in management will add value in this new stage of the organisation’s development, but I will always be guided by the principle that we always work as a team.
Will your professional skills as a lawyer be helpful in terms of negotiations with government departments concerning duty free?
I trust this will be the case, but I would like to point out that José Luis has already carried out these negotiation tasks with remarkable talent and dedication.
Can you update us on current projects ASUTIL is working on to improve conditions in the industry for its members?
At this time, I would like to highlight the work and commitment on combatting illicit tobacco trade, with which the regulated duty free industry has no part, despite suggestions in some quarters to the contrary.
We will continue working to improve conditions for the border free shop regime in Brazil and Uruguay and the extraordinary progress that continues to be made regarding the airport free shops allowance in various countries.
Talking collaboration: Carlos Loaiza-Keel (third from right) with (left to right) TFWA Managing Director John Rimmer; Dufry President & CEO LATAM Enrique Urioste; TFWA President Erik-Juul Mortensen; José Luis Donagaray; and Dufry COO South America Gustavo Fagundes
ASUTIL has worked closely with the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) in recent years. What is the importance of that relationship going forward?
We have an excellent relationship and consider it a strategic partnership for the future, in the organisation of our annual event and other projects that can be imagined for the years ahead.
What are your aims for the ASUTIL conference in Bogotá next year, building on the return of the face-to-face event in Buenos Aires this year?
We have enormous expectations and hopes that ASUTIL will continue to organise useful and unforgettable events, as many participants at the last conference recognised.
Bogotá, the vibrant capital of Colombia, will serve as the backdrop for this conference. Over the last decade, the city has undergone an impressive transformation, thanks to significant improvements in security and infrastructure.
And when it comes to travel retail, El Dorado International Airport is a regional benchmark, always evolving and even applying for carbon emissions certification. Plus, you’ve got two heavyweight travel retail operators in the region, in the form of Dufry and Attenza [Motta Internacional], at this airport.
We believe that Bogotá is a fantastic destination to stage our conference and networking event, due to its excellent infrastructure, security, and its strategic importance for the industry.
What they said
“Carlos and I have been working very closely for the last ten years in his capacity as Secretary General of the Uruguay Chamber of Free Shops. He knows the industry so well and his background as a lawyer makes him a very good fit. I’ve shared a lot of time with him discussing ASUTIL and duty free industry matters. He knows the spirit of ASUTIL and he understands the environment we manage. He lives here in Montevideo where we are headquartered. He brings so many positive things to the role.”
Former ASUTIL Secretary General José Luis Donagaray on his successor Carlos Loaiza-Keel
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