Brazil

• Friday, February 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil could begin to relax its strict monetary policy

  

  Brazil has named a strong critic of the country's Central Bank strict (and controversial) monetary policy as representative before the International Monetary Fund, IMF, according to a release from the Finance Ministry.

• Thursday, February 22nd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil admits possible “causalities” in Mercosur membership

  

  “Differences within Mercosur are an inevitable result of deepening relations among its five members”, said Brazil's Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim interviewed by the Financial Times but admits there might be “casualties” among junior members dissatisfied with the functioning of the trade block launched in 1991.

• Saturday, February 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Carnival: Rio De Janeiro Expects 700,000 Tourists

  

  Despite ongoing violence that has shaken Rio de Janeiro for months, the Brazilian city on Wednesday said it expects 700,000 tourists for its world-famous Carnival celebrations this year.

• Thursday, February 15th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil's primary surplus planned to drop to 3.75% of GDP

  

  Brazil posted a 4.32% of GDP primary surplus in 2006 compared to 4.83% in 2005 revealed the country's Central Bank. The savings are equivalent to 41 billion US dollars.

• Thursday, February 15th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil-Bolivia agree higher gas price for supply security

  Brazil will pay about 11% more for natural gas from Bolivia under a deal presidents Lula da Silva and Evo Morales signed Thursday in Brazil and that could resolve a year of tense relations between the South American nations.

• Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Petrobras profits slump 36% in 4Q

  

  Brazilian state oil company Petrobras said yesterday fourth-quarter profit fell 36 percent, hit by higher production costs that its chief executive said were worrisome.

• Tuesday, February 13th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil describes Bolivia's foreign policy: “childish”

  

  Brazil described as “childish and amateur” Bolivia's indication that it may cancel a scheduled presidential bilateral summit, if Brazil does not pay more for Bolivian natural gas.

• Monday, February 12th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil promises to eliminate Mercosur inside obstacles

  

  Brazil will continue working to eliminate obstacles which have effects on Mercosur junior members, Uruguay and Paraguay, said the country's Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim.

• Friday, February 9th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil and US to boost regional ethanol industry

  

  Ahead of US President George Bush's visit, Brazil announced plans to invest almost 5 billion US dollars over the next 10 years into biotechnology research involving renewable energy, agriculture and rain forest pharmaceuticals.

• Wednesday, February 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Ruling could drastically cut traffic in Brazil's busiest airport

  

  Brazilian authorities have warned that up to 10.000 passengers could be stranded daily if a court ruling which for security reasons bans large aircrafts from operating in one of Sao Paulo's several airports, becomes effective next Thursday.