Stories for March 2009

Tuesday, March 10th 2009 - 09:02 UTC
Brazil’s auto sales in February rise spurred by tax breaks

Brazil's auto sales rose slightly in February thanks to a temporary government tax break that reduces car prices, the National Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association, Anfavea, said on Monday.
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 - 08:58 UTC
Central bankers forecast world economy could be at “pick up” point

The global economy may soon see signs of improvement, according to the heads of the world's major central banks. European Central Bank head Jean-Claude Trichet said that the world economy could be approaching a “pick-up” point.
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 - 08:55 UTC
Venezuela seizes land from Irish company; warns Coca Cola

Ireland’s Smurfit Kappa corporation confirmed Monday that the Venezuelan government had seized 1.500 hectares of land with eucalyptus the company owns in the country valued in half a million Euros.
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 - 08:01 UTC
WTO suggests Brazil should further reduce barriers to trade

Brazil should further reduce barriers to trade in order to boost its economy, particularly given the global economic downturn, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said in a report released Monday.
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 - 07:58 UTC
Developing countries face financial shortfall of 700 bn USD, says World Bank

With many in the private sector eschewing emerging markets, developing countries – only one quarter of which have the resources needed to prevent a spike in poverty – face a financing shortfall of up to 700 billion US dollars this year, according to the World Bank.
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 - 07:13 UTC
RAF Nimrods withdrawn from overseas operations

Britain’s Royal Air Force fleet of Nimrod surveillance planes, some of which were involved in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict, has been temporarily withdrawn from operations overseas, almost a year after a coroner called for the aircraft to be grounded because of safety concerns.
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 - 07:12 UTC
Chile’s economy gradually approaching recession

Chile’s economy is forecasted to expand 0.2% in 2009 according to the latest Central Bank Expectations Survey compiled during March. This is a significant drop from the previous survey in February when the forecast was 1.2%.
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 - 06:47 UTC
Rainfall mitigates Brazilian soy and corn crop forecasts

Soybean and corn output in Brazil this year will drop less than previously forecasted following abundant rains last month which eased crop damage caused by a drought, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 - 04:49 UTC
Falklands: Fisheries research vessel chosen

FOLLOWING a successful tender process, Executive Council agreed to recommend to Standing Finance Committee (SFC) that the Falkland Islands registered trawler, Castelo, should be contracted to provide fisheries research facilities to the Government Fisheries Department.
Monday, March 9th 2009 - 14:20 UTC
President Vazquez confident Uruguay is prepared for the crisis

Uruguayan president Tabaré Vázquez underlined during a political rally over the weekend the successes of his administration and said the country was better prepared to face the current global crisis.