Latin America
Latin AmericaHavana launches debate on neo-capitalism and “the future of the Cuban Nation”
Cuba began this week a public debate over landmark plans to lift the island's struggling economy and “preserve the revolution’s victories” by liberalizing some private enterprise, admitting small farmers private property, streamlining the vast state bureaucracy by leaving redundant a half-million workers.
IMF chiefs rules out double-dip recession, praises South American countries
IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn ruled out any possibility of an impending double-dip recession even as he warned against downward risks posing the countries while they were recuperating, albeit languidly.
Mercosur economies forecasted to grow between 7.5% and 10.1% this year
Spanish bank BBVA Studies Group increased its 2010 growth forecast for Latinamerica to 5.8% (from 5.2%) mainly because of the strong showing of domestic economies boosted by stimuli packages. The report also praised the performance of all four Mercosur full members (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay) with their economies expanding over 7.5%.
Santiago airport capacity 40% expansion will handle 14 million annually
Santiago de Chile’s airport is about to be expanded to accommodate millions of more travellers. The crowds of people in the airport have been steadily growing, adding hours of travel time to passengers arriving to and leaving from Chile.
Uruguay praises Unasur; no agreement yet on next secretary general
Unasur has been a fundamental factor of stability, democracy and peace for the region said Uruguay’s Foreign Affairs minister Luis Almagro, following on Uruguay’s Parliament’s ratification of the group’s founding charter and constitution. However Almagro admitted consensus on a name for Secretary General of Unasur is still pending.
Ambitious Ibero-American conference takes off in Mar del Plata
The coming XX Ibero-American summit which opens next Friday in Mar del Plata, Argentina will have as main objective a commitment from the 22 country members to invest 76 billion Euros in education during the next decade.
Uruguay‘s ratification gives Unasur legal status (nine out of twelve)
Uruguay became this week the ninth country to ratify the Unasur (Union of South American Nations) foundation charter thus giving full legal effectiveness to the twelve-nation group.
Public opinion perception of corruption in Chile remains high
Just over 30% of Chileans consider state corruption in Chile to be extensive; but this is down 23% from 2006.
South America’s main naval show takes off in Chile; HMS Gloucester present
With the participation of delegations from 34 countries South America’s largest naval exposition was officially opened Tuesday in Valaparaíso. The seventh edition of ExpoNaval is scheduled to last until next Friday with business deals reaching 600 million US dollars according to the organizers.
UK company secures contract to repair and maintain Chilean navy frigates
UK BAE Systems has secured a two year extended agreement with Chilean ship build and repair organisation ASMAR to provide support to the country's navy Type 22 and Type 23 frigates in a move that is set to enhance Chile's naval capability.
