
Operations of a joint stock market linking Chile, Colombia and Peru are scheduled to begin May 30. The group, known as the Integrated Latin American Market, or Mila, said Tuesday that the decision was taken following two rounds of successful testing.

Venezuela's nationwide consumer price index (NCPI), prepared by the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) and the National Statistics Institute (INE), showed a 1.4% increase in March 2011 compared to February 2011.

Spain’s official unemployment advanced for a third month in March, deepening the divide between peripheral economies struggling to recover from the financial crisis and Germany’s booming labour market. It was the worst record for Spain since 1996.

Venezuela will send Argentina 12 million barrels of diesel and fuel oil starting in May, an official from Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA said.

Brazil will apply import tariffs on specific goods from China and the United States, the latest measures to help stem a flood of cheap imports that is eroding the country's trade balance, according to a statement from the Industry and Trade ministry.

An IMF staff proposal to endorse capital controls in limited circumstances aroused opposition from Brazil and other nations seeking greater freedom to stem inflows of money from overseas.

Uruguay consumer prices soared 1.42% in March, reaching 8.17% in the last twelve months and 3.6% in the first quarter, which is dangerously close to the twelve month government target of 3% to 7%, which theoretically should go down to 4% to 6% next June.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has raised concerns over the current trade deal being discussed between the European Union and Mercosur. UFU beef and lamb chairman Ray Elkin said: “The potential for a Mercosur trade deal is of great concern to the UFU, and could have a devastating impact on Northern Ireland’s beef sector in particular.”

China’s central bank announced Tuesday it would raise the benchmark one-year borrowing and lending interest rates by 25 basis points beginning Wednesday. This is the second time that The People’s Bank of China raises the benchmark interest rate this year and the fourth such increase since the start of last year.

The European Union and Mercosur have a clear commitment to advance trade negotiations and conclude a deal, if possible, by the end of the year, if not at the beginning of next year when Argentina will again hold the rotating chair of the South American group.