Mercosur

• Tuesday, March 23rd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina and Uruguay lead LA recovery

  Argentina and Uruguay's strong rebound will lead the recovery of Latin America's economy that is forecasted to grow between 3,8 and 4% in spite of the recent terrorist attacks according to World Bank economist Guillermo Perry.

• Monday, March 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Breaking News from Pta. Arenas.

  Headlines:
  Lagos campaigning in Magallanes; Benthonic survey to tap Magallanes resources; Chilean Antarctic Institute HQ in Punta Arenas; Magallanes trade with EU jumped 31%; Minke whale sighted in Magellan Strait; Belfast Queen's University in Punta Arenas.

• Monday, March 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina before the IMF Executive Board.

  The International Monetary Fund, IMF, Executive Board is scheduled to formally approve this Monday the second review of the three year stand by program with Argentina, which will open the way for a reimbursement of 3,1 billion US dollars to Argentina and other pending credits from the World Bank and the Interamerican Development Bank.

• Monday, March 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Counter cyclical Fiscal Fund proposed.

  One of Buenos Aires most respected private financial consulting organizations is recommending given the strong fiscal situation of Argentina, the creation of a Counter cyclical fiscal fund to help restructure debt and invest in social development.

• Monday, March 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazilian minister criticizes “moaning” countries.

  Brazilian Finance Minister Antonio Palocci criticized countries that “spend their time insulting the International Monetary Fund”.

• Monday, March 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Peru purchases four frigates.

  Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo announced last week the purchase of four missile frigates Type Luppo offered by the Italian government.

• Monday, March 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Optimistic forecast for Latinamerica.

  Latinamerica is forecasted to expand 4% in 2004 according to Enrique Iglesias president of the Inter-American Development Bank, IDB.

• Sunday, March 21st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Insecurity and unemployment haunt Argentines

  Insecurity figures among the top two priority concerns of metropolitan Buenos Aires residents, according to surveys undertaken by two leading public opinion consulting firms last February.

• Sunday, March 21st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazilian energy for Argentina

  Brazil will export electricity to Argentina in the coming months helping to overcome the expected winter shortages, confirmed visiting Brazilian Energy and Mining Minister Vilma Rouseff in Buenos Aires.

• Friday, March 19th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina cuts electricity supply to Uruguay

  Argentina suspended this Thursday an electricity supply contract with neighbouring Uruguay forcing the local public utility company to turn on fossil fuel turbines with an additional monthly cost estimated in 10 million US dollars.