Stories for August 4th 2012
Chile expects a 30% increase in cruise vessel calls this 2012/13 season
Chile is expecting an increase of 30% in the number of cruise vessels calls this coming season with Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas receiving the most, said the country’s Under Secretary for Tourism Jacqueline Plass.
Falkland Islands’ assessing options for the expansion of port facilities
Falkland Islands port facilities are under assessment given the prospects of oil industry activities in the near future and two options are being considered by the local government: a new port project, and an interim development of the current facilities at FIPASS.
YPF and PDVSA advance in the energy strategic alliance; next meeting in Caracas
Argentina and Venezuela gave their first step in the creation of an energy strategic alliance between oil companies YPF and PDVSA, after the agreement signed by President Cristina Fernández and her Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chávez, in Brasilia last Tuesday.
Venezuela accession to Mercosur “by the back door”, according to The Economist
Under the heading of “In by the back door” referred to the expansion of Mercosur, The Economist says “bringing Venezuela certainly was smart, in the sense of cunning rather than wise”, but it was done ignoring the block’s rules which call for unanimity in admitting new members.
Paraguayan senators challenge Chavez version of attempted bribes to favour Venezuela
An international controversy has surfaced between President Hugo Chavez and Paraguayan senators as to who really tried to bribe whom regarding failed attempts to have Venezuela incorporated to Mercosur.
