The European Commission decided Tuesday to formalize the candidacy of former EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy as the future head of the World Trade Organization, WTO.
European Union-Mercosur trade talks will continue stagnant until next March when a ministerial meeting is scheduled. Negotiators from both sides were unable last week to agree on a calendar of talks and will be meeting again at the beginning of 2005 to arrange the ministerial summit.
Inter-American Development Bank, IDB, CEO Enrique Iglesias said in Miami that the area will end 2004 with a far higher economic performance than we expected at the beginning of the year mainly because of sustainable economic policies and China's appetite for commodities.
Chile's insertion in the Community of Andean Nations, CAN (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela) is rather complicated because Chile's external tariffs are far lower than the rest of those countries, said Chilean president Ricardo Lagos.
Headlines:
South Africa cracks down on quota fraud; Dramatic drop in stocks forces fisheries bill review; EU Court blasts Spain for exceeding fishing quotas.
The growing commercial activity of Punta Arenas with significant investments and a notorious increase in competition was highlighted by La Prensa Austral last weekend.
The world's main suppliers of meat (beef, hog, broilers and turkeys) will reach a record 16,7 million tons next year, a 5,4% increase over 2004, according to a report from the United States Agriculture Department.
The president of one of Brazil's most important industry organization forecasted industry would grow 7,5% this year given the overall strong recovery of the economy and the rather low comparison base.
Bolivia's civic and Indian organizations participating for the first time in municipal elections, following a recent constitutional amendment were the big winners in last weekend's voting.
Former Chilean political prisoners kept pressure on President Ricardo Lagos administration by releasing this Monday a list of 2,000 people allegedly involved in human rights abuses and cover up related crimes.