Stories for February 18th 2011
Argentina/Brazil agree on monitoring committee to oversee bilateral trade
Argentina and Brazil agreed Friday to set up a Monitoring Committee in order to exclude Brazilian products from being affected by the imports non-automatic licence system announced this week by the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
Massive decline of predatory fish in the last 100 years threatens ‘wild’ oceans
Researchers at the University of British Columbia say they have the strongest evidence to date that humans are indeed “fishing down the food web,” citing data that show predatory fish such as cod, tuna, and groupers have declined by two-thirds during the past 100 years, while small forage fish such as sardines, anchovy and capelin have more than doubled over the same period.
Brazil’s proven oil reserves increase 11% in 2010 reaching 14.25 billion barrels
Brazil’s proven oil reserves rose 10.65% in 2010 to nearly 14.25 billion barrels, the biggest annual increase in the past eight years, the ANP oil regulator announced this week. Total reserves, overwhelmingly offshore, which also include probable and possible reserves, soared 34.57% to 28.47 billion barrels.
Chilean vineyards face shortage of field workers; most migrate to construction
Chile’s white wine grapes slated for harvest at the end of the month may not find enough hands to pick them. The grape harvest is the most labour-intensive period of the year for vineyards, but this year, vineyards having trouble tracking down temporary workers to work the harvest season.
“Beginning of the end for Mercosur” warn Uruguayan industrialists
The chairman of the Uruguayan Chamber of Industry, Washington Burghi, warned that Argentina’s decision to restrict imports could be “the beginning of the end” for the Mercosur. However Argentine ambassador in Montevideo said decisions are targeted against Asian imports with the purpose of defending Argentine jobs.
China again raised bank reserves (eight times in 12 months) to rein inflation
China’s central bank raised reserve requirements for lenders 10 days after boosting interest rates as Premier Wen Jiabao tackles accelerating inflation and the risk of asset bubbles in the fastest-growing major economy.
Chile hikes rates but faces dilemma of imbalances and Peso appreciation
The Central Bank of Chile (CBC) hiked interest rates by 25bps to 3.5% on Thursday night targeting growing economic imbalances and the threat of higher inflation, reports Capital Economics latest update.
Expanded access facilities planned for Santiago’s international airport
Chile’s Public Works Ministry (MOP) will invest 9.1 million US dollars to remodel infrastructure surrounding Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in order to reduce traffic and improve experiences for air travellers.
Colombian president says he has FARC leader and his command on target
Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos said this week that military forces know the exact hiding place and movements of the FARC guerrilla maximum leader, Alfonso Cano, and brushed aside any chance that he might escape.
UK/Spain reaffirm commitment to Trilateral Dialogue on Gibraltar
UK and Spain's foreign ministers reaffirmed Thursday their commitment to the Tripartite Forum (UK/Spain/Gibralar) for Dialogue following a bilateral meeting in London, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.
