Stories for October 18th 2007
Bill Gates anticipates voice-text-video integration revolution
Computer giant Microsoft is getting into the telephone business. Chairman Bill Gates was in San Francisco for the official launch of software linking a person's phone, computer and other communications devices.
Increased Bolivian gas exports to Argentina in doubt
Bolivia may delay ramping up natural gas exports to Argentina by a year while it increases production to meet its contractual commitments, the country's energy minister announced this week.
Brazil optimistic about an agreement on the Doha round
World trade talks are progressing and appear to be edging close to a deal, Brazil's ambassador to the United States said on Wednesday. In Pretoria a summit of presidents from host South Africa, Brazil and India seemed to confirm expectations.
Air Comet becomes Chile's second largest domestic carrier
Air Comet Chile, known until recently as Aerolíneas del Sur, is now the largest domestic carrier after LAN Chile, with 18% of the market. The figure represents a 10% increase in market-share in just under a year.
Brazil's Central Bank adopts “wait and see” monetary policy
Brazil's Central Bank left this week the October reference interest rate, Selic, unchanged at 11.25%, putting an end to a monetary policy distention which begun over two years ago.
Latam lagging in universal and quality education says WB
Most countries in Latin American and the Caribbean have achieved almost universal primary school coverage and boosted enrollment rates in secondary and tertiary education. Average spending on education reached 4.3% of GDP in 2003, up from 2.7% in 1990 reveals a World Bank, (WB) report released this week.
Growing controversy with IMF over Argentina's inflation
Inflationary pressures are building in Argentina and there is room for further interest rate increases, a senior IMF official said Wednesday. The warning follows statements earlier in the week by outgoing IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato.
Taiana confirms Argentina's claim over Antarctic seabed
Argentina is collecting information and preparing presentations for seabed claims in the South Atlantic and Antarctica confirmed this week Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Taiana.
The US dollar faces and “extended period of decline”
The US dollar is in the midst of an extended period of decline which is forecasted to continue until the third quarter of next year according to the US Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI quarterly forecast.
Four groups after ESSO assets in South America
Brazil's Petrobras, Venezuela's PDVSA and two Argentine groups are interested in acquiring US oil coporation Esso assets in South America, reports El Cronista, a business newspaper from Buenos Aires.
