Economy

• Monday, December 27th 2010 - 09:02 UTC

  Chilean ovine exports poised to set a new record: 50 million USD in 2010

  

  Chilean lamb and mutton exports are expected to total over 50 million US dollars in 2010, the highest ever, according to “Ovine Consortium” in its latest Ovine Indicators publication where it analyzes the industry’s performance and future both domestically and at international level.

• Monday, December 27th 2010 - 08:50 UTC

  Bolivia announced plans to invest 1.7 billion in the energy industry next year

  

  Bolivia plans to invest 1.73 billion US dollars in the energy industry in 2011, focusing on gas to ensure adequate production to supply Argentina and Brazil, as well as the domestic market, the head of state-owned oil company YPFB, Carlos Villegas, said.

• Monday, December 27th 2010 - 08:15 UTC

  Seafood delicacy with over 10.000 years of history, Chilean abalone

  

  A 19-year investigation by two Chilean researchers confirms that Chilean abalone, known locally as “locos,” have been a staple in the diet for people living near the coasts in this part of the world for at least the past 10,400 years.

• Monday, December 27th 2010 - 08:02 UTC

  China raises interest rate determined to contain inflation, credit and property prices

  

  China’s central bank raised interest rates for the second time in less than three months as authorities ramp up efforts to curb borrowing, rein in property prices and tame inflation.

• Monday, December 27th 2010 - 07:55 UTC

  South Africa invited to join the BRIC group of emerging markets

  

  South Africa has been formally asked to join the BRIC group of major emerging markets, comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China, according to a statement on the web from China’s Foreign Affairs minister Yang Jiechi.

• Friday, December 24th 2010 - 08:06 UTC

  Uruguay under agriculture “state of emergency” because of lack of rains

  

  The Uruguayan government declared Thursday an “agriculture state of emergency” because of the drought situation to the north of the country. The declaration opens the way to grant small farmers government support.

• Friday, December 24th 2010 - 08:04 UTC

  Uruguay’s Central bank leaves benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.5%

  

  Uruguay’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.5% after annual inflation slowed to within policy makers’ target range, according to a statement posted on the bank’s website.

• Friday, December 24th 2010 - 07:59 UTC

  China prepared to support Euro zone, buying sovereign Greek and Portuguese bonds

  

  China said on Thursday it was willing to support Euro zone countries through the region's debt crisis. “We are ready to support the Euro zone countries to overcome the financial crisis and realize economic recovery,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters.

• Friday, December 24th 2010 - 07:47 UTC

  Argentina’s November industrial production up 8.8%, says private index

  

  Argentina's industrial production in November continued to grow at record levels, with output jumping 8.8% on the year, according to the monthly index published by local think tank Fiel on Thursday.

• Friday, December 24th 2010 - 07:37 UTC

  China defends soaring economic and trade relations with Africa

  

  China has defended its economic and trade relations with African nations. In the first policy paper on the subject, Beijing said China-Africa co-operation helped Africa to reach the UN Millennium Development Goals, and boosted common prosperity and progress.