Economy

Monday, March 19th 2012 - 15:41 UTC
FAO forecasts second highest on record wheat crop for 2012 with 690 million tons

FAO forecasts that 2012 world wheat production will be the second highest on record at 690 million tonnes. According to FAO quarterly Crop prospects and food situation report forecast a 2012 wheat crop 10 million tons or 1.4% down from the record 2011 harvest but still well above the average of the past five years.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 15:36 UTC
Latam risks in 2012: commodities’ prices, China and European banks

The economy of Latin America and the Caribbean should grow 3.6% this year, down from recent rates above 5% as slower expansion in China, a soft recovery in the US and debt woes in Europe weigh on the global economy.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:57 UTC
Moody’s confirms Uruguay closer to investment grade rating based on debt management

Uruguay is likely to be the next Latin American country to win an investment grade rating from Moody's Investors Service, with a review likely late this year, a senior officer from the ratings agency said on Sunday.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:51 UTC
Uruguay strongly advocates for “free and fluid trade” in Unasur meeting

Uruguay’s Economy minister Fernando Lorenzo called on other members of Unasur, Union of South American Nations, to ensure free trade in the region as a safeguard and guarantee for the sustained growth of country-members in time.
Sunday, March 18th 2012 - 19:59 UTC
Paraguay calls on Argentina for “reflection and dialogue” regarding trade restrictions

The Paraguayan government called for “reflection and dialogue” from the Argentine government in order to find a solution to the commercial restrictions in place on imported products, “we don’t need any more walls”.
Sunday, March 18th 2012 - 19:55 UTC
“The Argentine government doesn’t understand what is going on” says former official

Former Argentine Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernández assured on Sunday today that “the Government has difficulties understanding what is going on, and gives fallacious speeches that are far from reality,” and blasted the cutback of subsidies on public services and the bill that seeks to reform the Central Bank's charter
Sunday, March 18th 2012 - 19:53 UTC
Top executives from Chevron barred from leaving Brazil because of oil spills case

A Brazilian court barred 17 executives from Chevron and Transocean from leaving Brazil, pending criminal charges related to a high-profile oil spill last November. A second oil spill detected last week further complicated the situation.
Sunday, March 18th 2012 - 19:50 UTC
HMS Illustrious, command ship in tough Arctic weather training

Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious is in the midst of NATO Exercise Cold Response, based in the Arctic. Illustrious is the command ship for Major General Ed Davis, Commandant General Royal Marines, who, with his Commander Amphibious Forces staff, is directing the movements of allied warships.
Saturday, March 17th 2012 - 07:21 UTC
YPF is an Argentine asset run by Spanish investors, De Vido tells Madrid

Argentine Planning Minister Julio de Vido lashed out at Spanish Industry Minister José Manuel Soria by saying that oil company YPF is an Argentine corporation run by Spanish investors and should not be considered an asset of the European country.
Saturday, March 17th 2012 - 06:13 UTC
EU/Mercosur will exchange market access proposals when Brazil chairs the round

The European Union and Mercosur concluded Friday in Brussels the eighth round of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the commitment to begin exchanging market access proposals at the next meeting.