Economy

• Thursday, April 28th 2011 - 06:49 UTC

  Venezuelan industry says it’s the “worst possible moment” to join Mercosur

  

  While for the Venezuelan government Mercosur has become the main priority following its recent exit from the Community of Andean Nations, CAN, the country’s private sector claims it is the worst moment possible for such a move.

• Thursday, April 28th 2011 - 06:39 UTC

  Brazil’s bank lending slows down as government curbs credit

  

  Brazil’s bank lending expanded in March at the second-slowest pace in 13 months as the government stepped up efforts to contain demand and inflation by curbing credit to consumers.

• Thursday, April 28th 2011 - 06:35 UTC

  WTO members to openly discuss an alternative to the failing Doha round

  

  The World Trade Organization's 153 member nations will openly discuss for the first time an alternative to the failing Doha round of global trade talks, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

• Thursday, April 28th 2011 - 02:38 UTC

  Indian minister visits Uruguay and Argentina to promote trade with Mercosur

  

  A top level Indian business delegation headed by Minister of state for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia is travelling to Argentina and Uruguay to boost ties with Mercosur, according to the Indo-Asian news agency.

• Thursday, April 28th 2011 - 01:50 UTC

  Fed in no rush to scale down liquidity support; inflation trends ‘subdued’

  

  The Federal Reserve said on Wednesday it will maintain the current rates and is in no rush to scale back its extensive support for the US economy while estimating that the increase in commodity prices (and inflation) is transitory.

• Thursday, April 28th 2011 - 01:39 UTC

  Japan credit rating threatened by weak government and lack of political agreement

  

  Risk rating agency Standard and Poor's threatened to cut Japan's sovereign credit rating again, warning the huge cost of last month's devastating earthquake will hurt already weak public finances unless bickering politicians can agree to raise taxes.

• Wednesday, April 27th 2011 - 15:27 UTC

  Helped by import restrictions, Argentina’s March trade surplus soars 141%

  

  Argentina's March trade surplus more than doubled (up 141%) from the same month last year to 667 million US dollars according to official data, helped by the government’s import curbs and stronger grains exports. Trade surplus in March 2010 was 276 million USD.

• Wednesday, April 27th 2011 - 15:14 UTC

  Mercosur supports tourism industry with improved data and investment promotion

  

  Mercosur country members with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Tourism Organization will cooperate in the promotion of tourism focusing on improved and harmonized statistics, strengthening governance and promoting investment in the industry in the region.

• Wednesday, April 27th 2011 - 11:11 UTC

  Brazil’s strong currency fuels current account deficit in March

  

  Brazil's current account deficit ballooned to a record for the month of March as foreign companies in Brazil sent more profits home and Brazilians spent more on travel and goods overseas.

• Wednesday, April 27th 2011 - 08:54 UTC

  Brazil’s five largest airports will be managed under concession by private sector

  

  Brazil is planning to hand over the country's five largest airports to the private sector through concession agreements, in an effort to accelerate upgrades ahead of two major international events, Brazilian presidential Chief of Staff Antonio Palocci said Tuesday.