Economy

Friday, September 13th 2013 - 01:34 UTC
Argentina forecasted to expand 5.1% this year and 6.2% in 2014, says budget presented to Congress

Argentina's economy is expected to grow 6.2% next year, while GDP in 2013 is forecasted to expand 5.1% boosted by a massive grains harvest and the automobile industry, Economy Minister Hernan Lorenzino said on Thursday while presenting the 2014 budget bill before Congress.
Thursday, September 12th 2013 - 05:14 UTC
Mega-regional accords could lead “to redefinition of world trade rules by 2020”

One of the main features emerging with the current international economic situation is mega-regional negotiations linking the main world production networks: Europe, North America and Asia and sometimes skirting WTO, according to the latest report on the Latinamerican and Caribbean economy from Eclac (UN Economic commission for Latam and the Caribbean).
Thursday, September 12th 2013 - 01:42 UTC
S&P downgrades Argentina’s credit rating to the level Cyprus and Egypt

Argentina’s long-term sovereign foreign currency credit rating was cut one level by Standard & Poor’s, which cited a US Appeals Court ruling that prevents the country from honouring its debt without also paying holders of defaulted bonds in full.
Thursday, September 12th 2013 - 01:20 UTC
Argentina inflation in August according to congressional index: 2.11%

Inflation in Argentina during August climbed 2.11% and 25.2% in the last twelve months according to the release from the Congress Freedom of expression commission. The so called Congressional index is an average of private consultants that have been intimidated from making public their estimates by the government of President Cristina Fernandez.
Thursday, September 12th 2013 - 01:14 UTC
Latam trade and growth reflects the weak global economy says Eclac

The foreign trade performance of Latin America and the Caribbean reflects the weak global economy. Regional export values are expected to grow by just 1.5% in 2013 (3% in volumes and -1.5% in prices) - which is similar to the 1.4% growth observed in 2012.
Wednesday, September 11th 2013 - 22:09 UTC
Venezuela media running out of newsprint; lack of dollars to import

While the world press decries plunging print readership and advertising revenue, newspaper editors in Venezuela are struggling with a much more fundamental problem: lack of newsprint.
Wednesday, September 11th 2013 - 22:06 UTC
Venezuela inflation running at annualized 45.4%; government “admits economic success debt”

Venezuela's annual inflation rate hit 45.4% in August, the central bank revealed this week, the highest in five years and the highest in the region, even as consumer price increases slowed from the previous month.
Wednesday, September 11th 2013 - 22:02 UTC
”If Brazil devalues, Uruguay will follow”, President Mujica tells farmers

President Jose Mujica said that Uruguay is ‘aligned’ with Brazil in economic policy, and if the government of President Dilma Rousseff decides to devalue its currency, “Uruguay will follow” and as Brazil, “Uruguay is not satisfied with the functioning of Mercosur”.
Wednesday, September 11th 2013 - 00:57 UTC
Good news from China: manufacturing, retail sales and investment up in August

China's industrial production increased by more than expected in August the latest sign that the world's second-largest economy may be on the mend. According to data released on Tuesday factory output climbed 10.4% from a year earlier. Retail sales and fixed asset investment also rose during the month.
Tuesday, September 10th 2013 - 22:59 UTC
Bank of England planning polymer notes; five pound featuring Churchill expected in 2016

The Bank of England is moving closer to ditching paper pounds and switching to plastic banknotes instead. It would follow in the footsteps of Australia, Canada and others. The central bank said it would ask the public its opinion before taking a decision in December on whether to adopt polymer pounds which also would be smaller than current notes.