Stories for 2008

Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
EU offers to cut farm tariffs by 60% at Doha round talks

The European Union has offered to cut its farm tariffs by 60% to kick-start trade talks in Geneva. EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson urged Brazil, India and China to reciprocate by slashing their industrial tariffs. The EU previously offered to cut farm tariffs by 54%.
Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
World experts discuss rapid wetlands disappearance

Experts from all over the world are discussing in Brazil about the rapid disappearance of the world's wetlands and its potential effect on global warming. The event organized by United Nations and Brazil's Federal University of Matto Grosso are taking place in Matto Grosso, next to what is considered the world's largest wetlands in the heart of South America, the Pantanal.
Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Patagonia's massive dam project protest reaches Spain

Greenpeace activists on Monday morning brought their concerns over a controversial Spain's Endesa HidroAysen dam project in Chilean Patagonia directly to the company's doorstep, scaling its headquarters building in Madrid, draping an attention-grabbing, several-story-high protest banner, reports Patagonia Times.
Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Castro promises idle land to farmers to boost food production

Cuban President Raul Castro announced the redistribution of government land that is not in use to private farmers to stimulate food production and efficient farming. Cuba in spite of abundant farm land must import half of its food.
Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Grain export fraud in Argentina estimated in 1.76 billion USD

The Argentine government will claim 1.76 billion US dollars from grain exporters who had registered overseas sales of cereals and oilseeds which they did not hold at the moment in silos or purchase orders, according to the Buenos Aires press.
Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Conflicting reports on first day of world trade negotiations

The first day of ministerial negotiations on global trade at this week's meeting in Geneva of the Trade Negotiations Committee harvested conflicting opinions about prospects for an agreement.
Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean ports system lacking for booming cruise industry

With more than 400.000 tourists passing through Chile's ports in 2007 and an expected 12% growth this year, there is no doubt that cruise trips are gaining popularity in South America. Chile, along with Brazil and Argentina (the ABC triangle) is one of the leading providers of cruises through the southern tip of South America.
Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Repeal of latest farm export tax estimated in 1.5 billion USD

The Argentine government decision to repeal the controversial grains and oilseeds sliding export tax system, --which triggered a four month conflict with farmers-- will cost the Treasury an estimated 1.25 to1.5 billion US dollars according to economic experts quoted in the Buenos Aires media.
Sunday, July 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil calls for regional trade to cut US, EU dependency

The presidents of Brazil and Colombia vowed Saturday to boost trade and investment between their nations ahead of crucial world trade talks this week. Brazilian President Lula da Silva urged Colombia and the region to increase trade ties “so we aren't left dependent on a single partner,” such as the US or European Union.
Sunday, July 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean aide admits risk of loosing to conservatives

Chile's ruling coalition “Concertación”, but challenged by protests and a slowing economy should be prepared to lose the 2009 elections after 18 years in power, the interior minister said in an interview published in the Santiago media.