Argentina to grow more than 6.5 pct in 2011-cenbank

(Reuters) - Argentina's central bank sees economic growth topping 6.5 percent this year, raising its outlook from 6 percent in January, according to a quarterly report released late on Friday.

The central bank said robust domestic demand would keep fueling the expansion in Latin America's No. 3 economy. It said growth so far this year in industrial output, construction and public services showed the economy was still going strong.

Microsoft Latin American Sales Grew As Fast As 36%, Rincon Says

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)´s revenue in Latin America is growing as fast as 36 percent as rising incomes and lower computer prices bolster demand, said Hernan Rincon, the company´s president for the region.

Microsoft’s sales surpassed the growth of the area’s information technology industry, which is expanding at 12 percent, he said.

Citigroup steps up hiring in Brazil

Citigroup has stepped up hiring in Brazil, joining a growing war for talent among foreign banks seeking greater market share in Latin America’s largest economy.

Citi has hired 380 people in April in the country on top of 400 it hired in the first quarter and 500 last year across all business areas, executives said on Wednesday during a visit by Vikram Pandit, Citi chief executive.

Latin America’s trading bootstraps

From independence, Latin American countries’ dream of a more united continent was on the horizon – where it remained stuck for two centuries. Today, deepening trade ties are finally advancing the integration so long frustrated by the politics of national narcissism.

It is hard to think of a region that has more to gain from deeper interregional economic ties. Latin America’s cultural and linguistic affinities should make it a natural single market – with a scale large enough to compensate for the cost of overcoming the continent’s big natural barriers. But this ambition long fell foul of inward-looking and misguided governments.

Commentary: Panama's economy is booming, but institutions aren't

PANAMA CITY — Latin America's most strategically located country is booming, and its current prosperity is expected to accelerate in coming years thanks to a windfall of profits from the Panama Canal's expansion. And yet, there are fears about the country's future.

There is widespread anxiety — including from senior U.S. diplomats, according to recently released WikiLeaks cables — that President Ricardo Martinelli's bullying governing style might lead to an excessive accumulation of powers, increased corruption, political turbulence, capital flight, and an economic downturn.

Analysis: China eases Brazil's concerns with investments

(Reuters) - China has put its relations with Latin America's largest economy back on track by sending Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff home with billions of dollars in pledged investments, showing its economic clout and easing, for now, Brazil's concerns over trade imbalances.

The Asian giant's showering of business deals on Rousseff contrasts sharply with last month's trip to Brazil by U.S. President Barack Obama, who offered much praise for Brazil's rising economy but few concrete agreements.

British Airways’ Commitment To Latin America Continues With Rio Increases

The FINANCIAL -- British Airways is increasing its services to Brazil by doubling its weekly frequency to Rio de Janeiro from three to six flights.

Neil Cottrell, British Airways’ head of network planning, said: “We are experiencing a real increase in demand for Rio and by doubling the number of frequencies, we are able to offer our customers more choice and greater availability. Brazil is also experiencing strong economic growth and this capacity increase is a great opportunity for British Airways to be part of that growth.”