Latin America

Monday, August 27th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chile hikes electricity rates 20%, highest since 2000

Energy experts and government officials expect household electricity bills will rise twenty percent between now and November. If this estimate turns out to be true, it will represent the most dramatic increase in electricity bills since 2000.
Monday, August 27th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Rio Tinto to become world's largest producer of aluminum

Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto announced Monday that its bid to buy Canada's Alcan for 38.1 billion US dollars has been approved by US antitrust authorities.
Monday, August 27th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Brazilian company buys main Chilean abattoir in Tierra del Fuego

A leading Brazilian meat industry group Marfrig acquired an abattoir in Tierra del Fuego belonging to a group of cattle farmers from Magallanes Region, reports La Prensa Austral from Punta Arenas. The operation involved 8.5 million US dollars.
Monday, August 27th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Punta Arenas, the second most expensive city in Chile

Punta Arenas figures as the second most expensive city in Chile behind the capital Santiago, according to the latest report from the Business School of the Universidad del Desarrollo released this week.
Saturday, August 25th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
UN steps up assistance for Peruvian quake victims

United Nations is bolstering its assistance through the release of almost 10 million US dollars from an emergency fund and an appeal for nearly 40 million to be launched next week to victims of the major earthquake which rocked Peru on 15 August, one of the world body's top humanitarian officials revealed Friday.
Saturday, August 25th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Peru's president García gesture towards Chile

Dampening speculation of a growing rift between the two neighboring countries, Peruvian President Alan Garcia this week traveled to a shared Chilean-Peruvian border area to promote further economic integration between Peru and Chile.
Saturday, August 25th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Evo Morales arrived to Peru with 19 tons of medicines

Bolivia's President Evo Morales arrived in Pisco today to distribute 19 tons of medicines, blankets and drinking water, the second visit by a Latin American leader to the disaster area. Colombia's Alvaro Uribe traveled to the area last weekend.
Friday, August 24th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Limited supplies make wheat prices reach record highs

Wheat prices hit record highs this week. Bad weather in key grain growing areas such as Canada and parts of Europe has limited supplies as demand has risen, sparking fears of a supply shortfall and threats of rising bread prices.
Thursday, August 23rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Latinamerica and East Asia meet to boost trade ties

Foreign ministers and envoys from 33 Latin America and East Asian countries on Wednesday opened in Brasilia two days of talks here to boost fledgling trade ties and build links between the far-flung regions.
Thursday, August 23rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Cepal forecasts commodities boom to continue 5/10 years

Latinamerica is poised to enjoy exceptionally high prices for its exports during the next five to ten years given the growing demand for commodities from China and India, according to a report from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latinamerica and the Caribbean, Cepal.