Argentine and regional markets reacted favorably after the Argentine Senate approved an austerity package aimed at balancing the budget, stimulating the economy and bringing some relief to foreign investors who fear the country might default on its 130 billion debt.
Mercosur presidents meeting in Lima, Peru, expressed their full support to the Argentine administration of President Fernando De la Rúa and its zero-deficit target.
Bolivian president Hugo Banzer seriously ill with cancer and under medical treatment in United States will officially resign next August 6th., the country's independence day.
With twelve heads of state present and the full support of the international community, Alejandro Toledo, the shoe shine boy turned economist and the first native Indian origin Peruvian president, took office Saturday July 28th. in Lima, pledging a full scale war on poverty.
A New Zeland trade delegation headed by Prime Minister Helen Clark, other government officials and representatives from the country's main industries will visit Mercosur members next November.
The Chilean economy should begin to recover and could record a 4,8% growth during the second half of 2001, according to Hernán Büchi, an outstanding Chilean economist and former Finance Minister
After days of intense and marathonic bargaining the Argentine government finally managed political support for its zero deficit financial program that should ease international credit conditions and put the country's economy back in track.