Brazil

• Wednesday, August 31st 2011 - 08:34 UTC

  Global production of bio-fuels increased 17% last year reaching 105 billion litres

  

  Global production of bio-fuels increased 17% in 2010 to reach an all-time high of 105 billion liters, up from 90 billion liters in 2009.

• Wednesday, August 31st 2011 - 08:25 UTC

  Brazil releases funds to develop surface to surface missile system for the Army

  

  The Brazilian government gave a clear signal Monday that is intends to advance in the consolidation of a defense industry in the country. A decree signed by President Dilma Rousseff releases 45 million Real in funds for the launching of the Astros Project 2020 to equip the Brazilian army.

• Wednesday, August 31st 2011 - 08:14 UTC

  Some indicators showing the Brazilian economy is slowing down

  

  Brazil's economy showed new signs of a slowdown on Tuesday as steelmakers slashed their growth forecasts, the country's No. 1 airline scaled down its expansion plans and a new poll showed growing pessimism in the manufacturing sector.

• Tuesday, August 30th 2011 - 05:55 UTC

  Brazil to increase primary surplus and make room for cut in interest rates

  

  Brazil plans to further contain government spending this year to prepare the country for a global slowdown and make room for a cut in interest rates, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said on Monday.

• Tuesday, August 30th 2011 - 03:39 UTC

  Argentina expects another car production record next year: a million units

  

  The Argentine automobile industry will expand its production capacity to a million units annually by 2012 following on the expected record production of 840.000 this year boosted by domestic demand and exports to brazil, said Anibal Borderes president of the country’s Automobile Manufacturers Association, Adefa.

• Monday, August 29th 2011 - 08:29 UTC

  Brazil to regulate credit-rating agencies to help them improve quality of their analysis

  

  Brazil Securities and Exchange Commission, CVM, expects to have ready by the end of the year a regulatory framework for risk rating agencies with the purpose of improving the quality of their analysis, said Maria Helena Santana, president of CVM.

• Saturday, August 27th 2011 - 07:19 UTC

  Unemployment in Brazil falls to its lowest level this year, 6%

  

  Brazil’s unemployment rate fell in July to its lowest level this year, 6% from 6.2% in June, reported the National statistics office. Average real wages rose 4% from a year ago to 1.613 Real (999.50 dollars) a month.

• Saturday, August 27th 2011 - 07:17 UTC

  Brazil en route to comply comfortably with budget planned primary surplus

  

  Brazil’s budget primary surplus widened in July to a record for the month pushing the year-to-date total to almost 80% of the government’s 2011 target, according to the Central bank.

• Saturday, August 27th 2011 - 07:12 UTC

  Further turbulence for embattled President Rousseff: this time two blondes

  

  Two further headaches for embattled Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff who in eight months of government has seen four ministers and two deputy ministers step down under serious suspicions of corruption.

• Saturday, August 27th 2011 - 07:09 UTC

  S&P upgrades Brazil’s ratings based on “good long-term growth prospects”

  

  Brazil local-currency credit rating is being reviewed for an upgrade by Standard & Poor’s, which cited the country’s economic stability. The rating was affirmed at BBB+, the third-lowest investment grade, S&P said in a statement.