
Uruguay’s April consumer inflation, 0.34%, the lowest since last November came as a relief for government authorities, but the accumulated rate of the last twelve months was 8.34%, well above the Central bank 4% to 6% target. Furthermore compared to April 2010 inflation was almost double: 0.18% vs 0.34%, according to the country’s Statistics Institute, INE.

Trade among the two leading Mercosur partners reached 11.7 billion US dollars during the first four months of the year with Argentine exports to Brazil reaching a record 5.2 billion USD. This is 29% higher than in 2010 and 23% above the 2008 record year.

The European Union/Mercosur trade talks taking place in Paraguay are attempting to advance with a ‘verbal exchange of proposals’ while negotiators continue ahead with technical aspects of a future agreement, according to Argentine sources.

India emphasized the need to deepen trade and investment engagements with Latin America by expanding the existing PTA with Mercosur, during a business seminar in Montevideo, Uruguay. But he added that double tax and investment protections agreements are critical to expansion.

European Union beef prices would be cut by more than 8% and meat production across the EU would fall in value by more than €3bn if a trade deal were agreed with Mercosur, according to preliminary assessments from an agriculture advisory body to the European Commission.

Bilateral negotiations for a trade agreement between Mercosur and European Union delegates are scheduled to resume Tuesday in Asunción, Paraguay.

European farmers insisted Monday before the European Parliament on the “catastrophic impact” that a trade agreement with Mercosur could have for the EU agriculture.

A week before the next round of negotiations for an ambitious association and trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, a paper from the EU Joint Research Study centre, JRS, quantifies the alleged losses of such a deal for European farmers.

While for the Venezuelan government Mercosur has become the main priority following its recent exit from the Community of Andean Nations, CAN, the country’s private sector claims it is the worst moment possible for such a move.

Mercosur country members with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Tourism Organization will cooperate in the promotion of tourism focusing on improved and harmonized statistics, strengthening governance and promoting investment in the industry in the region.