
Trade obstacles imposed by Brazil against Argentine exporters in reprisal for similar measures by the Argentine government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner escalated Tuesday when the Brazilian ambassador was summoned to the Argentine Foreign Affairs ministry.

Brazil is considering extending stimulus tax cuts on home appliances even as the country’s economic recovery shows signs of gaining momentum. Tax cuts helped Brazilian auto industry sales to soar.

Brazilian food company Marfrig Alimentos, with strong interests in Uruguay and Argentina turned a profit in the third quarter of this year compared to a year ago, as new acquisitions boosted its capacity.

Capmark Financial Group Inc., one of the largest commercial real-estate lenders in the United States announced that it had filed for bankruptcy protection. The firm said it has filed motions to allow it to continue to pay vendors and salaries, and that the move should not impact the way Capmark does business with its customers and partners.

China is launching its long-awaited Nasdaq-style stock market in the southern city of Shenzhen. Twenty eight small- and medium-sized enterprises are expected to debut on the new exchange.

In early November a Chilean court will rule on a 108 million US dollars lawsuit brought by 126 Chilean fresh fruit export companies against the nation’s Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) agency.

The Argentine government announced a package of fiscal control measures on Thursday, including the use of electronic bills for sales of imported goods, second-hand car sales and hotel operations.

The UK is now in the grip of the longest recession since records began, according to gloomy official figures. Hopes for an end to the recession were scuppered as the economy shrank by a shock 0.4% between July and September - a record sixth quarter in a row of decline.

A group of rich Germans has launched a petition calling for the government to make wealthy people pay higher taxes. The group says they have more money than they need, and the extra revenue could fund economic and social programmes to aid Germany's economic recovery.

With the bankruptcy of Partners Bank, from Florida, and American United Bank, from Georgia, there are now 101 banks in the United States that have declared insolvency so far in 2009 due to the financial crisis, local media sources informed.