Brazil

• Tuesday, March 20th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil looks to join CAF for US$1B

  Brazil's government is negotiating with the Andean Development Corporation to become a fully-fledged member, which would require an investment of about US$1 billion, Brazilian Planning Minister Paulo Bernardo said Sunday.

• Friday, March 16th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Collapse of Varig makes Brazil loose half a million tourists

  

  The collapse of Brazil's flag carrier Varig last year caused a significant fall in the number of foreign tourists visiting Brazil in 2006 revealed a top official from the Ministry of Tourism in Rio do Janeiro.

• Friday, March 16th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil builds wall to stop smuggling from Paraguay

  

  In contrast to pledges of lowering Mercosur barriers for junior members (Paraguay and Uruguay), Brazil confirmed the construction of a steel and concrete wall along the Paraguayan border to help combat contraband in the Triple frontier area where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet.

• Tuesday, March 13th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  “US our main individual partner”, but Mercosur is priority

  

  Brazilian president Lula da Silva strongly defended close relations with United States and agreements on developing bio-fuels, but also underlined that Mercosur remains a top priority for Brazil.

• Thursday, March 8th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Lula hosts Bush and says Doha round agreement “is close”

  

  Brazil and United States will attempt to advance the Doha global trade talks during US president George Bush's official two day visit to Brazil which begins today Thursday.

• Thursday, March 8th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Huge security and protests for Bush in Sao Paulo

  United States president George Bush arrived late Thursday to Sao Paulo for a 24 hours visit to Brazil, --the first leg of his Latinamerican trip--, amidst serious street protests with eight people injured and scores arrested.

• Wednesday, March 7th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil on course to a more flexible monetary policy

  

  Brazil's Central Bank on Wednesday cut the basic reference interest rate Selic by 25 points to 12.75%, in line with market expectations and government promises of a more flexible monetary policy

• Tuesday, March 6th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Petrobras and Japan sign bio-fuels memorandum

  

  Brazil's government managed oil company Petrobras and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation signed Monday in Rio do Janeiro a memorandum of understanding on bio-fuels announced Monday, Petrobras.

• Tuesday, March 6th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Only trade and biofuels in the Lula da Silva/Bush agenda

  Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Monday that during his meeting next Friday with United States President George W. Bush he does not intend to talk about Venezuela, but about trade and biofuels.

• Sunday, March 4th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Lula da Silva/Bush expected to sign biofuels agreement

  The world's two top ethanol producers, United States and Brazil, announced the creation of an international forum to help turn biofuels into a globally traded commodity, just days before the two countries are expected to sign a separate agreement promoting the industry across the Western Hemisphere.