Stories for July 29th 2009
Unemployment in metropolitan Santiago down to 11.9%
A report released by the University of Chile placed the unemployment rate of Santiago’s greater metropolitan area at 11.9%. The number marks a nearly one percentage point decrease from March, when the unemployment rate climbed to 12.8% in the metropolitan area.
Brazil’s budget deficit widens but should begin to recover by end of 2009
Brazil’s nominal budget deficit for the first half of 2009 widened to 43.7 billion Reais (23 billion US dollars), the largest since 2001, according to the latest release from the Central Bank.
Argentina and Brazil agree to continue disagreeing (less intensely) in trade issues
Brazil and Argentina reached “relatively productive” results following the Sao Paulo meeting of the bilateral trade monitoring committee to address the ongoing restrictions imposed by Argentina to Brazilian exports, according to diplomatic sources from both sides.
Argentine experiences steep slide in fish landings in first half of 2009
A total of 393.209,7 tons of seafood was landed in Argentine high seas ports between January first and 27th. July 2009, which represents 36.1% less than the 614.850 tons of the fist half of 2008.
UK richest fifth have gross income 16 times higher than the poorest fifth
The gap between the rich and poor in the United Kingdom remained at a high level in 2007-8, official statistics have shown. The richest fifth of the population had an income, before tax and benefits, 16 times greater than the poorest fifth.
IMF announces more loans and zero interest for the world’s poorest countries
The IMF has announced a new framework for loans to the world’s poorest nations, including increased resources, a doubling of borrowing limits, zero interest rates until the end of 2011, and more flexible terms.
Argentina ignores Mercosur; rallies domestic support for protectionist policies
Argentina’s main trade unions confederation, CGT, and the chamber of small and medium enterprises, CAEM, energetically supported trade protection measures imposed by the government and which triggered complaints and irritation among Mercosur country members.
Chile requests additional time to clear mines along Bolivian border
The Chilean government has requested neighbouring Bolivia to extend for a further two years (2012 to 2014) the timetable to clear of anti personnel mines planted in the seventies along border areas, reports La Razon, La Paz main daily.
In open letter to Clinton maquilas call for democracy restoration in Honduras
Clothing companies Nike Inc., Gap Inc., Adidas and Knights Apparel have released a joint letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for the restoration of democracy in Honduras. The three companies with maquilas in Honduras wrote an open letter to Clinton, expressing their concerns about recent events in Central America.
NZ dairy farming group in Uruguay raised 30 million USD locally
NZ Farming Systems Uruguay Ltd has raised 30 million US dollars by selling a first tranche of bonds in Uruguay. The non-convertible bonds have an expected maturity of about 15 years, and pay a fixed interest rate of 5% until September 30, 2010.
