Mercosur

• Wednesday, December 8th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Bright economic outlook for Latinamerica

  Inter-American Development Bank, IDB, CEO Enrique Iglesias said in Miami that the area will end 2004 with a far higher economic performance than “we expected at the beginning of the year” mainly because of sustainable economic policies and China's appetite for commodities.

• Wednesday, December 8th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Tariff differences between Chile and Andean Community

  Chile's insertion in the Community of Andean Nations, CAN (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela) is “rather complicated” because Chile's external tariffs are far lower than the rest of those countries, said Chilean president Ricardo Lagos.

• Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Fisheries News.

  Headlines:
  South Africa cracks down on quota fraud; Dramatic drop in stocks forces fisheries bill review; EU Court blasts Spain for exceeding fishing quotas.

• Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Growing activity and competition in Punta Arenas.

  The growing commercial activity of Punta Arenas with significant investments and a notorious increase in competition was highlighted by La Prensa Austral last weekend.

• Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Promising 2005 for meat exporting countries.

  The world's main suppliers of meat (beef, hog, broilers and turkeys) will reach a record 16,7 million tons next year, a 5,4% increase over 2004, according to a report from the United States Agriculture Department.

• Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian industry forecasted to expand 7,5%.

  The president of one of Brazil's most important industry organization forecasted industry would grow 7,5% this year given the overall strong recovery of the economy and the rather low comparison base.

• Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Bolivia moves to “centre left” in municipal elections

  Bolivia's civic and Indian organizations participating for the first time in municipal elections, following a recent constitutional amendment were the big winners in last weekend's voting.

• Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile: Torture survivors name their tormentors.

  Former Chilean political prisoners kept pressure on President Ricardo Lagos administration by releasing this Monday a list of 2,000 people allegedly involved in human rights abuses and cover up related crimes.

• Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  IMF praises Uruguayan economy performance

  On completing last week the sixth review of the Stand-By arrangement, IMF praised the performance of the Uruguayan economy and the “sound prospects for 2005”, underlining authorities' commitment to preserving the stabilization and reform gains through the political transition. The strong fiscal outcome for 2004 will facilitate the achievements of other targets next year.

• Monday, December 6th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Demand against Shell for oil spill.

  Some 500 residents of the Argentine town of Magdalena filed a class action lawsuit seeking damages of more than 330 million US dollar from petroleum giant Shell over alleged damage to their health caused by a 1999 oil spill,
  Buenos Aires press reported over the weekend.