Stories for May 19th 2009
OCDE estimates world trade likely to shrink 13% in 2009
The organization for Cooperation and Development in Europe, OCDE, estimates that world trade is likely to shrink by as much as 13% in 2009 from 2008 level and urged governments to avoid protectionist measures and keep markets open in order to allow economies to benefit from the recovery when it comes.
Influenza vaccine manufacturers committed to supply poor countries
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Margaret Chan and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met on Tuesday with over 30 vaccine manufacturers from developing and developed countries at WHO headquarters in Geneva.
Brazil/China consolidate energy, trade and finance partnership
Brazil and China signed Tuesday in Beijing thirteen accords to promote trade, investments and cooperation plus a 10 billion US dollars loan for Petrobras. It was also agreed that bilateral trade in the near future is to be done using the Real and the Yuan.
UK annual consumer inflation down to 2.3% in April
The British annual consumer prices inflation was 2.3% in the year to April, down from 2.9% in the year to March, falling closer to the 2% target set by the government which most commentators had been expecting as utility bills were cut to reflect falling oil prices.
Brasil Foods to become world’s top exporter of processed meat and chicken
Two of Brazil’s biggest food companies announced on Tuesday plans to merge, creating an exporting powerhouse in a stock swap deal prompted by the global financial crisis. Executives from Perdigao SA and Sadia SA said they expect their new enterprise, to be called Brasil Foods SA, to become the world's top exporter of processed meat and chicken.
First time in 300 years: House of Commons speaker forced to stand down
The first House of Commons Speaker to be effectively forced out of office in 300 years took place Tuesday when Michael Martin told MPs he intends to stand down. In a brief statement to a packed House of Commons he said he would step down on 21 June, with his successor set to be elected by MPs the next day.
Survey of Falklands’ domestic tourism
New research published by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board this week puts an estimated value of £1,122,000 per year on domestic tourism. The estimate was made following a telephone survey carried out during March 2009, which also enabled the tourist board to calculate that 11,500 domestic trips are taken by Falkland Islanders each year.
Re-election, “bad symptom” for democracy in Latinamerica
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez intention to hold on to office is a “bad symptom” which is spreading to the rest of Latinamerica claimed Cesar Perez Vivas, opposition governor from the Venezuelan state of Tachira.
IMF anticipates Latinamerica will recover before developed countries
Although Latinamerica is well prepared to confront the international economic crisis, the economies of the region will suffer on average a contraction of 1.5% this year, said the International Monetary Fund main advisor for the hemisphere Miguela Sabastano.
British economist blames financial sector for current optimistic forecasts
Behind the idea that the current economic crisis will be over by 2010 are the interests of the financial sector that are trying their most to avoid a greater regulation of markets claims British Professor Robert Wade.
