Mercosur

• Saturday, March 24th 2012 - 08:51 UTC

  Uruguay’s economy slows in fourth quarter but expands a “very good” 5.7% in 2011

  

  Uruguay’s economic growth slowed more than economists forecast in the fourth quarter as a refinery closure and the start of a drought trimmed a nine-year expansion; nevertheless the Central Bank said overall expansion in the twelve months of 2011 was “very good” in the current global context and just short of government’s target.

• Saturday, March 24th 2012 - 02:52 UTC

  Argentina is facing serious trade problems and Brazil “must help in a mature way”

  

  Argentina is having serious trade problems and Brazil “in a mature way” must try and help solve them said a top official from President Dilma Rousseff administration, who anticipated he would be travelling to Buenos Aires in coming weeks.

• Friday, March 23rd 2012 - 02:18 UTC

  Canada in exploratory talks with Mercosur for a trade agreement

  

  Canadian Minister of International Trade Ed Fast has concluded a two-day trade visit to Argentina, to promote the conclusion of exploratory talks towards a possible free trade agreement (FTA) with the Mercosur trade bloc.

• Wednesday, March 21st 2012 - 06:32 UTC

  Argentina denies protectionism; claims imports in 2011 soared 30%

  

  Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman said on Tuesday “there is no country” in the world that can say Argentina is protectionist and claimed it is the G20 member that saw imports soar most between 2010 and 2011.

• Wednesday, March 21st 2012 - 04:41 UTC

  Next Mercosur summit in Mendoza, June 26/28; Brazil takes the relay

  

  The next Mercosur presidential summit is scheduled to take place next 26/28 June in the city of Mendoza, when the rotating chair will be handed for the following six months to Brazil.

• Tuesday, March 20th 2012 - 05:05 UTC

  Mujica promises to “fight to the death” for the future of Mercosur

  

  Uruguayan president Jose Mujica promised on Monday to ‘fight to the death’ for the future of Mercosur in spite of the fact that the group’s junior members Uruguay and Paraguay are suffering the most as Argentina and Brazil implement growing hurdles to trade.

• Tuesday, March 20th 2012 - 01:24 UTC

  Rousseff administration will promote “buy Brazilian” policy to defend industry

  

  “As of this year Brazil will follow the US example giving a 25% margin of preference to local goods in government procurement”, said Fernando Pimentel, Minister for Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.

• Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:57 UTC

  Moody’s confirms Uruguay closer to investment grade rating based on debt management

  

  Uruguay is likely to be the next Latin American country to win an investment grade rating from Moody's Investors Service, with a review likely late this year, a senior officer from the ratings agency said on Sunday.

• Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:51 UTC

  Uruguay strongly advocates for “free and fluid trade” in Unasur meeting

  

  Uruguay’s Economy minister Fernando Lorenzo called on other members of Unasur, Union of South American Nations, to ensure free trade in the region as a safeguard and guarantee for the sustained growth of country-members in time.

• Sunday, March 18th 2012 - 19:59 UTC

  Paraguay calls on Argentina for “reflection and dialogue” regarding trade restrictions

  

  The Paraguayan government called for “reflection and dialogue” from the Argentine government in order to find a solution to the commercial restrictions in place on imported products, “we don’t need any more walls”.