Stories for September 21st 2012
Falklands to introduce minimum wage; document recommends £ 5, 50 the hour
Over the years there has been talk of implementing a minimum wage in the Falkland Islands, a significant amount of work has been undertaken on the issue and a minimum wage should be in place by early 2013.
Mantega says US and Japan have again ignited the “currency war” and Brazil will defend itself
Brazil threatened on Friday a further clampdown on speculative foreign capital, firing a warning shot in the “currency war” Finance minister Guido Mantega blames on money-printing by Western central banks.
World trade to grow 2.5% this year dragged down by Europe
World trade will grow by a mere 2.5% this year, dragged down by Europe to less than half of the previous 20-year average, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Friday. WTO cut its estimate from a 2012 growth forecast of 3.7% in April and also lowered its growth forecast for 2013 to 4.5% from 5.6%.
US calls on Brazil to reconsider proposed tariff increases in Brazil and Mercosur
US Trade Representative Ron Kirk urged the Brazilian government in a letter sent on Wednesday to reconsider plans for “protectionist” tariff increases expected to hurt US exports.
Mexican president-elect Peña Nieto brings up trade issues during visit to Brazil
Latin America’s two largest economies should be expanding rather than curbing trade flows, Mexico’s President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto said in veiled criticism of a Brazilian restriction on Mexican car imports.
Obama says his biggest failure was not passing immigration reform
UN President Barack Obama admitted on Thursday “my biggest failure so far” is a lack of comprehensive immigration reform, but it wasn't “for lack of trying or desire”.
Falklands Tourist Board ‘disappointed’ by political pressure at BA Seatrade
Political pressure on organisers of the Seatrade South America convention held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last week meant the Falkland Islands was ignored during discussions as a tourist destination in the region.
Brazilian middle class expected to move a trillion dollars this year
Brazil's middle class which now numbers 104 million equivalent to 53% of total population (38% ten years ago), is likely to move 1 trillion Reais this year (approx a trillion dollars), government estimates show.
Argentina issues 2 Pesos coin to commemorate 30th anniversary of the Malvinas landing
The Argentine Central bank has issued a new 100 Pesos bill to honour the figure of Eva Duarte de Perón, and a 2 Pesos coin commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the landing of Argentine troops in the Malvinas Islands.
Argentine industrial production and outlook stable in August
Argentina’s industrial output fell 0.8% last August when compared to the same month last year, according to the country’s stats office Indec. However it improved 0.7% when compared to July but dropped 1.2%, points out Indec Monthly Industrial Estimate
