Economy

Monday, December 25th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
US dollar appreciates in Chile and helps exporters

The US dollar closed in Chile at its highest in two months last week, 531 pesos, following the continuous drop in copper prices, the country's leading export.
Sunday, December 24th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Moody's improves Uruguay's rating but vulnerabilities remain

Moody's Investors Service upgraded the foreign- and local-currency bond ratings of Uruguay to B1 from B3 following a steady improvement in fiscal performance, a reduction in external and government debt ratios, and a significant reduction of refinancing risks.
Friday, December 22nd 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Market will continue to call for soybean acres

It's beginning to sound like a scratched CD, but supplies of soybeans are large.
The market, though, is bidding up soybeans so producers will keep soybeans in their rotation for 2007.
U.S. ending stocks for Aug. 31, 2007 are projected at 565 million bushels.
Friday, December 22nd 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Latin America: Unemployment is Key Problem

A high number of Latin Americans are concerned about a shortage of jobs, according to the 18-country Latinobarómetro released by The Economist. 45 per cent of respondents in Panama select unemployment as the most important problem, followed by 39 per cent in Uruguay and 37 per cent in Nicaragua.
Thursday, December 21st 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Chile: US$4.815 billion foreign investment in 2006

The Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) reported that in 2006 the amount of foreign investment in Chile reached US$4.815 billion, 183 percent higher than in 2005.
Wednesday, December 20th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Latest data question US inflation is under control

United States producers' prices (wholesale prices) registered last November the biggest increase in three decades, while the housing slump showed signs of bottoming out.
Wednesday, December 20th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Lack of reforms agenda frustrates Brazilian industry

Brazilian manufacturers expressed Tuesday their “frustration” given the absence of an official reforms agenda to help thrust economic growth next year which is forecasted to be in the range of 3.5%.
Wednesday, December 20th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
World Bank loan to ensure Uruguay's free of FAM status

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved Tuesday a 6.5 million US dollars loan for Uruguay to support the Foot and Mouth Disease Emergency Recovery Project and create a full-coverage livestock tracking system in order to keep the country virus-free and minimize economic losses.
Wednesday, December 20th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivian businessmen reticent about joining Mercosur

Bolivian businessmen showed some reticence about their country's full incorporation to Mercosur arguing it was a “threat” for the local agro-industry and could involve potential farm sales losses to the Community of Andean Nations.
Wednesday, December 20th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Bush extends tariff preferences to Andean nations

President George W. Bush signed legislation Wednesday extending for six months existent trade benefits to four Andean nations: Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. According to the bill countries that approve free trade agreements, FTA, with the US will have a further six months.