Stories for March 31st 2010

Wednesday, March 31st 2010 - 02:30 UTC
Mercosur is Uruguay’s main market for value-added exports, says Mujica

Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe” Mujica admitted Mercosur has its problems but it is also the market for Uruguayan exports with most added value: “to the rest of the world we sell mostly commodities, to Mercosur Uruguayan input”.
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 - 02:25 UTC
Argentina begins next week to pay debts with Central Bank reserves

Following an Argentine federal court ruling approving the use of Central Bank reserves for the payment of foreign debt the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will begin transactions next week using the liberated funds.
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 - 02:21 UTC
NZ dairy company in Uruguay sells land to pay debts, but plans to remain

New Zealand Farming Systems Uruguay, listed in the NZ stock exchange, has sold 2,500 hectares of land on its Tobay farm in eastern Uruguay for 8.5 million US dollars in a move that will allow it to repay nearly half an outstanding debt to shareholder PGG Wrightson.
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 - 02:15 UTC
Bolivia denies modernizing the Army “to provoke” neighbouring Paraguay

Bolivian president Evo Morales strongly denied Tuesday that furnishing new equipment to the Armed Forces was directed to provoke neighbouring Paraguay and accused his opponents to take advantage of the situation to confront the two countries.
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 - 02:14 UTC
Main traders agree on quarterly contracts for iron ore, but no mention of China

Two of the world's biggest mining companies have agreed landmark deals with Asian steel mills to buy iron ore on quarterly contracts. The deals could mark the end of annual contracts that have formed the basis for pricing in the steel industry for decades.
Vale and BHP Billiton said the new system was fairer and more transparent.
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 - 02:10 UTC
Argentina expects a 2009/2010 crop of 91 million tons, up 48%

Argentina’s 2009/2010 crop is estimated in 91 million tons, 48% higher than the previous mainly because of improved yields thanks basically to more regular rainfall, courtesy of the El Niño climate phenomenon.
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 - 02:08 UTC
US criticizes Canada over its Arctic policy

Hillary Clinton has criticised Canada for failing to invite indigenous groups and Scandinavian countries to talks on the future of the Arctic.
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 - 02:04 UTC
UK economy recovery in fourth quarter revised upwards

The United Kingdom economy grew faster than previously thought in the last quarter of 2009, the Office for National Statistics says. It revised October to December's growth to 0.4%, up from the previous estimate of 0.3%.