Uruguay sees GDP view up from 4.5 percent

(Reuters) - Uruguay's government will raise its 2011 economic growth forecast from the current 4.5 percent, Vice President Danilo Astori told the Reuters Latin America Investment Summit on Wednesday.

The South American country's economy is expanding for an eighth straight year, buoyed by high commodity prices.

Mexico's economy and risks

(Reuters) - Mexico's economy is the world's 11th largest by World Bank estimates and total output is expected to grow by roughly 4 percent this year after a 5.5 percent expansion in 2010.

Mexico's growth has lagged most Latin American economies over the last decade, posting weak economic growth as the country's politicians put off major reforms to tax, energy and labor laws.

Nick Clegg to lead UK charm offensive in Latin America

Uncertainty over upheaval in Middle East prompts deputy prime minister to head delegation of businesses and universities

Nick Clegg is to push for stronger ties with Latin America as officials said events in the Middle East have made the region an unpredictable partner for the UK.

The deputy prime minister will lead a delegation of British businessmen and the vice-chancellors of six universities to Mexico as he seeks to win international business for the UK's university sector.

Latin America Economic Growth to Slow in 2011 on Inflation, IIF Says

Economic growth in Latin America will fall to 4.5 percent this year from 6.1 percent in 2010 as inflation and rising interest rates curb expansion, the Institute of International Finance said.

Latin America’s growth will be about 4.6 percent in 2012, the Washington-based banking group said in its regional overview, released today during the Inter-American Development Bank annual meeting in Calgary.

Argentina February data shows economy flourishing

(Reuters) - Argentina's February trade surplus beat market expectations and industrial output rose sharply again, the government said on Wednesday, showing Latin America's No. 3 economy is still growing strong.

Argentina's economy expanded at a quick 9.2 percent last year, driven by robust consumer spending, lucrative grains exports and industrial production.

Latin American and Caribbean Economic System Condemns U.S. Blockade of Cuba

Havana, Cuba, Mar 22.- Representatives from the 28 member countries of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) condemned on Monday in Caracas, Venezuela, the U.S. Government’s unjust blockade imposed on Cuba for almost 50 years.

SELA’s Permanent Secretary, Jose Rivera Banuet, reiterated the bloc’s rejection of this unilateral policy in a meeting to assess economic relations between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean during the first two years of mandate of U.S. President Barack Obama.

Brazil's Tombini highlights inflation, global risks

BRASILIA, Brazil - Brazil's Central Bank President Alexandre Tombini said on Tuesday there were lingering inflation risks in Latin America's largest economy although he said price pressures would slow in coming months.

Inflation in the services sector is a concern in an economy with strong growth prospects in the short to medium-term, he told a Senate hearing, adding that salary increases above inflation also needed to be watched.

Buyout funds raise record $8.1 bln for LatAm-LAVCA

SAO PAULO, Brazil, March 21 (Reuters) - Buyout firms investing in Latin America raised a record $8.1 billion in 2010, more than twice the previous year, partly because of growing interest from local investors, the Latin American Venture Capital Association said on Monday.

Momentum is building in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Argentina, where less competition for existing assets is bringing the attention of dealmakers. Brazil, the region's biggest economy, kept luring most commitments and investors last year, because of its diversified economy.

Obama Says Latin America Visit Will Help to Boost U.S. Economic Recovery

President Barack Obama said a main objective of his trip to Latin America will be to forge even stronger economic partnerships in the region in order to create jobs in the U.S.

Obama began his weekly address on the radio and Internet by reaffirming his earlier statements that the U.S. will work with international partners to protect Libyan civilians and “hold the Qaddafi regime accountable.” He also repeated his pledge to “stand with the people of Japan in their greatest hour of need” as they recover from the aftereffects of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

IDB to provide more funds to Latin America, Caribbean

WASHINGTON DC, USA (CMC) — The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) yesterday said it plans to increase financing to the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.

IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno said the initiative is part of the plans to boost its support for projects that have a positive impact on development in the region.

Colombia's economy, growth and challenges

Standard & Poor's rating agency on Wednesday raised Colombia to investment grade, citing the economy's growing resilience to external shocks and its favorable growth prospects.

The decision will attract new investors to Colombia, lower government borrowing costs, spur investment and support economic expansion in the country, Latin America's No. 4 oil producer.

Emerging markets boost G4S' profits

Security services firm posts 4.2 percent profit rise before interest and taxes.

Growth in emerging markets helped the security services group G4S achieve a year-on-year profit increase of 4.2 percent before interest, taxes and amortisation (PBITA).

Latin America's commodity windfall

BUENOS AIRES ― Latin America is experiencing an exceptional boom, owing to soaring income from exports of natural resources. But is the region making the most of this opportunity?

With the exception of Central America, rising commodity prices have improved the external accounts and fiscal positions of Latin American countries. Revenue from natural-resource exports represented 25 percent of total income in the public sector in 2008.

Peru GDP expected to grow 7% in 2011

Peru's economy seems to have reached a trend of sustained growth, and its gross domestic product is expected to grow seven percent in 2011, Central Reserve Bank of Peru President Julio Velarde said Friday.

Peru's GDP has been one of the fastest growing in Latin America, Velarde said while speaking at the New York Stock Exchange. The manufacturing and construction sectors likely will drive economic growth this year, he said.

In the Spotlight: Will new economic boom be in Latin America?

"May you live in interesting times." So goes the oft-quoted curse. It can hardly be disputed that we live in exciting times, as dramatic events far from home capture our collective attention.

The Jasmine Revolution continues to roil political systems around the globe, while at the same time the developing economies of Asia are offered as proof of a rising new world order led by India and China. These far-flung events undoubtedly have implications for us.

Peru Looks To Create Sovereign Wealth Fund To Protect From Downturns

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Peru's economy will likely continue its growth trends this year, but there is concern about the global impact of commodity prices on the Latin American country, said Peru's Finance Minister Ismael Benavides on Friday.

Latin America fights to rein in prices, currencies

(Reuters) - Brazil's central bank signaled on Thursday it would rely less on higher interest rates while Chile tried to brake its strong currency, underlining the dilemma Latin America's policymakers face between fighting inflation and preserving competitiveness.


Latin American economies and emerging markets throughout the world are struggling to rein in currency rallies resulting from their robust growth rates and strong inflows, while trying to keep inflation from eating into economic gains.

Mexico annual inflation hits lowest in 14 months

MEXICO CITY, March 9 (Reuters) - Mexico's annual inflation rate cooled in February to its lowest in 14 months despite some sharp increases in food prices, keeping pressure off the central bank to raise interest rates soon.

Consumer prices rose 3.57 percent in the year through February, in line with expectations and slowing from a 3.78 percent rate in January, central bank data showed on Wednesday.

Brazil at heart of Google's Latin America strategy

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Brazil is on the way to becoming Google Inc's sixth-largest global market, Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said on Friday as the company opens new offices in the fast-growing Latin American region.

The world's No. 1 Internet search company saw its revenue in the region surge last year on the back of brisk economic growth, with countries showing growth of 50 percent to 100 percent last year.

Dilma Rousseff moves Brazil to centre

Brazil's new president picks a different route to prosperity and influence from Latin America's generation of left-populist leaders.

For those familiar with Latin American politics, the notion that Muammar Gaddafi had fled to Venezuela seemed absurd. Certainly, Chávez and other leftwing Latin American leaders have seemed embarrassed and uncertain how to respond to the events unfolding in Libya. But Chávez has not given explicit support and it is an awkward moment for many governments. In any case, Gaddafi has much better friends in Africa and had some good friends in London as well.

Brazil Fin Min: Higher Rates Will Not Impede Economic Growth

RIO DE JANEIRO (Dow Jones)--Higher interest rates in Brazil won't impede economic growth in Latin America's largest economy, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said Thursday.

"The restrictive monetary measures being undertaken in 2011 already started in 2010," Mantega said during a conference call with foreign journalists. "They are not going to impede economic growth but moderate the pace of growth to ensure that domestic demand is not as strong."

Investors lose appetite for Latin stocks

First investors had to get their heads around “quantitative easing” – the huge injection of liquidity by central banks into western economies.

Now they are having to grapple with “quantitative tightening” – an attempt, especially prevalent in Latin America – to cool down overheating emerging market economies by mopping up some of that excess liquidity at home.

Clinton warns Latin American over ties with Iran

WASHINGTON — The United States will take action if Venezuela violates international sanctions against Iran, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Tuesday as she defended outreach to the Cuban people.

"If there is any evidence that they have violated the sanctions, we will act against them," Clinton told lawmakers during a congressional hearing.