Mercosur

• Tuesday, December 9th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Ailing dollar falls to record low.

  The dollar has fallen to a record new low against the euro, before Tuesday's interest rates decision in the US.

• Tuesday, December 9th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil's bank chief sees enduring growth cycle

  Following nearly a year of recession under the left-leaning government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil is entering a cycle of enduring economic growth, the central bank chief said on Monday.

• Monday, December 8th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile-Colombia increase cooperation

  Colombian president Alvaro Uribe begins this Monday a two days official visit to Chile during which he will sign several cooperation, security and trade agreements.

• Monday, December 8th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  “Turn the lights off and look for another job”

  Ronald Brown, president of the Chilean Association of Exporters warned that if the exchange rate in Chile drops to 500 pesos to the US dollar then, “turn the lights off and look for another job”.

• Monday, December 8th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Landslide defeat for Uruguayan government

  The Uruguayan government suffered a landslide defeat this Sunday when 60% of a referendum electorate rejected a bill that would limit the monopoly of the government owned oil company and allow its association with foreign investors.

• Monday, December 8th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Good prospects for Brazilian bonds. Above inflation target

  In spite of the inflation target setback, Brazil's prospects in the sovereign bond market are encouraging, “but the Central Bank is not in a hurry; the situation is becoming ever more favourable for Brazil”, said Alexandre Schwartsmann head of International Affairs of Brazil's Central Bank.

• Monday, December 8th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Cuba opens to American oil companies

  The Cuban government underlined this Sunday it has a “no objections at all” policy towards United States oil companies wishing to look for hydrocarbons in the island's Exclusive Economic Zone, EEZ in the Gulf of Mexico area, as long as it's done on “a mutual benefit basis”.

• Saturday, December 6th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina eliminates all antipersonnel mines.

  In a symbolic ceremony Argentina this week destroyed the last twenty antipersonnel mines of its inventory, thus complying with the terms of the 1997 Ottawa Convention for the elimination of all of these deadly explosives by January 2004.

• Friday, December 5th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine fish exports over 360 million US dollars

  Argentine health authorities certified 279,029 tonnes of fresh and sea water fish exports between during the first ten months of 2003, with a total value of almost 36e million US dollars. This represents a 27% increase in volume and 24% increase in value compared to January-October 2002.

• Friday, December 5th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  WTO cautions Chile on its free-trade accord policy

  The numerous free-trade agreements signed by Chile have boosted the country's business atmosphere, attracted investment and are described as an example for the rest of Latin American.