Mercosur

• Tuesday, February 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  China concentrates investments in Latinamerica.

  China's overseas direct investment in 2004 reached 37 billion US dollars, half of which in Latinamerica, reported Monday in Beijing China's Trade and Investment Ministry. The main areas of Chinese interest were mining, trade related services, manufacturing plus wholesale and retail trade indicated the official release.

• Tuesday, February 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Shell will remain in Argentina and Chile.

  Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell denied plans to sell its energy related assets in Argentina to Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). In his latest visit to Argentina, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez announced his country was interested in taking over Shell's assets in Argentina.

• Tuesday, February 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  EU supports Colombian peace efforts, but?

  The European Union will continue aiding the Colombian government in its efforts to achieve peace and full democracy, but will remain “very vigilant” regarding methods employed in the fight against the politically motivated violence that has wracked the nation for over four decades.

• Tuesday, February 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Mexican oil opens to greater private participation.

  Mexico's government owned oil giant Pemex will open exploration and production operations to the private sector announced Area Manager Carlos Morales.

• Tuesday, February 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine beef exports expanded 26% in 2004

  Argentine beef exports last year expanded 26% in volume and 51% in income compared to 2003, according to the Argentine Sanitary and Quality Office.

• Sunday, February 6th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  G7: much good will but little substance.

  Debt relief and further development aid for the world's poorest countries, plus pushing for “exchange rates that reflect economic fundamentals” were the two outstanding points of the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors meeting held 4/5 February in London and included in the final release.

• Friday, February 4th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Euro Zone interest rates unchanged at 2%

  A day after the US Federal Reserve raised the basic interest rate for the six time running to 2,5%, the European Central Bank left rates unchanged Thursday, with Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet saying recent economic indicators suggest a moderate recovery remains on track.

• Friday, February 4th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Colombia's President Uribe Hospitalized

  President Alvaro Uribe was hospitalized with a stomach infection Thursday, forcing the postponement of a fence-mending summit with Venezuela's president, officials said.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Norwalk virus attacks cruises in South America.

  At least 230 tourists from two luxurious cruises and suffering from the recurrent Norwalk virus infection had to remain in their cabins while the vessels called in the port of Montevideo over the weekend, reported officials from the Uruguayan National Health Ministry.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Fed raises basic interest rate to 2,5%

  As market analysts anticipated, and arguing that the “stance of monetary policy remains accommodative” and “with underlying inflation expected to be relatively low”, the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee decided Wednesday to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 2,5%. This is the sixth straight rise since last June.