Economy

The prospect of a debt restructuring this year should also reinforce creditworthiness. Comments by Fernando Lorenzo, chief adviser to the economy ministry, that ‘the scenario looks... 2006-01-19

In the second half of 2005, consumer inflation was driven by persistently high international energy prices, utility charge and perishable food price increases. While fixed investment... 2006-01-19

Despite a deterioration in the terms of trade through 2005 and peso appreciation, the economy, led by exports, should manage a sprightly 6.2% outturn. Nevertheless, higher oil prices... 2005-12-12

Joblessness in Chile during August-October hit its lowest level for the period since 1998. The 8.1% rate compares favourably with 9.4% last year, and 8.5% in the July-September quarter.... 2005-12-12

While inflation by the end of August was relatively high (5.5% ytd), three consecutive months of inflation above 1.0% m-o-m have pushed consumer price increases well over 10% ytd.... 2005-12-12

Industrial production (IP) in Argentina, as measured by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INDEC), increased by a seasonally adjusted 0.7% m-o-m in October. This comes... 2005-12-12

November inflation stood at 12.0% y-o-y. This brings the ytd increase in consumer prices to 11.1%, almost double 2004’s end-year figure of 6.1%.

A recent Senate debate over current budget proposals was interrupted twice, once due to protestors and once due to a fight between two senators.

Trade data for August revealed increases in both exports and imports on a monthly basis (by 25.2% and 19.8% respectively), though compared with last year exports were down by 1.3%,... 2005-11-15

September CPI surprised on the upside, registering a 3.9% y-o-y increase, which left consumer prices pushing the upper boundary of the central bank's 2-4% target band. The bank is... 2005-11-15