MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US Treasury Secretary visit to Brazil, Uruguay and Chile

United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will make a week-long trip to South America beginning July 9, his first to the region since taking the position. He is scheduled to visit Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, meeting with the presidents of all three countries as well as Finance ministers and local business leaders.

According to a release from the Treasury Department Paulson will hold his first interview next Monday in Belo Horizonte, with governor Aecio Neves. On Wednesday he will meet in Brasilia with Pesident Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Finance Minister Guido Mantega and Central Bank president Henrique Meirelles. He then flies to Uruguay where on Thursday he will be received by President Tabare Vazquez and Economy minister Danilo Astori. On the same day late afternoon he's scheduled to meet with Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, Foreign Affairs minister Alejandro Foxley, Finance minister Andrés Velasco and the president of the Chilean central bank Vittorio Corbo. According to the release Paulson's visit is to discuss ideas over how "to expand business opportunities, reduce poverty and help build a middle class in the region". Argentina is not mentioned in the release but has been excluded of Paulson's tour.