Economy

Wednesday, February 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela prepares an anti inflation package

Venezuela is preparing a package of measures to contain inflation which begun 2007 with a 2% in January, announced Ricardo Sanguino chairman of the Congressional Finance Committee.
Tuesday, February 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Global warming could destroy Chile's economy

Global warming, a phenomenon now confirmed worldwide by scientific journals and international forums, will have devastating effects on the Chilean agricultural industryÃÂ¢€”perhaps the country's most important economic activity. The most threatening problem is the likely appearance of agricultural pests, from which Chile has heretofore been free.
Tuesday, February 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
“Imported farm labour” proposal sparks controversy in Chile

Chile's Exporters Association (Asoex) proposed last week the introduction of foreign workers to make up for “a scarcity of labour” in Chile's agricultural workforce. Critics accused Asoex president Ronald Brown of seeking to profit from poorly paid foreign labour on temporary contracts.
Monday, February 5th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Mercosur helps Bolivia combat FAM outbreaks

Several Mercosur members have offered Bolivia to “unite efforts” and help control “as soon as possible” the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Bolivia declared last week a “state of emergency” following the confirmation of outbreaks in three counties in Santa Cruz province.
Monday, February 5th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Brazilian negotiator pessimistic about Doha round conclusion

Brazil's chief negotiator at the Doha Round of trade talks at the World Trade Organization (WTO) accused United States of moving “countercurrent” regarding the liberalization of global agricultural trade and expressed uncertainty that negotiations can conclude this year.
Thursday, February 1st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
IMF “shape up” policy includes selling gold reserves

A report by a Committee of Eminent Persons advised the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday to sell 400 tons of its gold reserves as part of a new strategy to set the Fund's finances on a sustainable basis.
Thursday, February 1st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina last year exported less honey but got higher revenue

Argentina, which is constantly challenging China as the world's largest honey exporter, last year exported 99,000 tonnes of honey for 146 million, a decline of six percent in volume but an increase of 15 percent in revene reflecting higher prices for the product.
Thursday, February 1st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina shuts border to Bolivian meat

Argentina has suspended the import of all meat products from Bolivia in response to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, Senasa, the agricultural health and quality service, announced Tuesday.
Thursday, February 1st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine pension fund reform proposal gets mixed marks

A proposal by the Argentine government to allow some 11 million people to migrate from the private AFJPs pension funds to the state-run scheme has won widespread praise for the sake of freedom of choice, but also criticism, with observers telling MercoPress that it has been timed ahead of the October's presidential vote, aimed at “funding” the government even a step towards re-estatization.
Wednesday, January 31st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Fed leaves rates unchanged; “inflation likely to moderate”

The United States Federal Reserve left Wednesday interest rates unchanged at 5.25% for the fifth time running based on “firmer economic growth” with the economy “likely to expand at a moderate pace over coming quarters”.