Latinamerica is hopeful that an increase in trade with China and investments from the Asian giant will help compensate lost business with the United States and the European Union because of the global crisis.
The World Bank approved a 64 million US dollars loan to increase the efficiency, coverage and sustainability of water and sanitation services in Paraguay. The project is expected to benefit almost 17% of Paraguayans, especially the most vulnerable groups.
Investment in Chilean copper and gold projects is expected to total over $30 billion. Chile is the world’s No. 1 producer and exporter of copper and each 1-cent increase in the annual median price of copper represents an additional $40 million for the treasury of the Andean nation. The median price per pound so far this year is $1.59, compared with $3.15 a pound in 2008.
The Uruguayan government has modified the bidding terms for offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation, given the dramatic fall in oil prices and the deepening global economic crisis.
A huge project involving 300 million US dollars for the exploitation of coal deposits in the extreme south Chilean Magallanes Region was officially presented in Punta Arenas this week by Energy Minister Marcelo Tokman and top officials from the two companies involved in the project.
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez agreed Monday to deepen ties in energy, investment and trade, with Japanese companies ready to participate in gas and crude production in the Latin American country.
An article in the latest edition of the UK national daily ‘The Guardian’ describes Gibraltar as “a miraculous survivor in these days of international financial turmoil and sweeping recession, thanks to a sinking pound and an economy that grows at a rate comparable to that of China.”
Brazil has agreed to lend 700 million US dollars to state-owned airline Aerolineas Argentinas to fund its purchase of 20 planes from Embraer in an effort to save jobs at the aircraft maker.
Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez left China Wednesday with promises of more investments and an increase in purchases of tops, wool, pulp, meat and fisheries, according to reports from the official press released in Beijing.
German car and trucks manufacturer Daimler- Benz sold a 9.1% stake to an Abu Dhabi sovereign investment fund. The fund, Aabar Investments, will invest 1.95 billion Euros becoming the biggest shareholder.