August, 20 2013

EXCLUSIVE Latin America's top 50 women in business
Brazil and Mexico lead the list with number of entrants

The 50 names that make up Latin Business Chronicle's list of the top businesswomen in Latin America are a diverse group. There is representation from oil and gas, banking, publishing, law, entrepreneurship, engineering, automotive, retail, and IT. These women are changing the dynamics and look of corporate boards in the region that have long been dominated by men.

Standard & Poor's upgrades Peru on strong mining investments
Country is now the highest ranked major economy in the region after Chile

Peru had its credit rating increased one level by Standard & Poor’s, climbing above Brazil and Mexico, as mining and energy investment fuels growth in the Andean economy. Peru’s long-term foreign-currency rating, which applies to its bonds denominated in euros and dollars, rose to BBB+, or three levels above junk grade, the agency said, Bloomberg reports.

Brazil warns against big bets on real
Minister: "investors could lose money in the future" 

Brazil's Finance Minister Guido Mantega (left) advised investors to avoid big bets against the real, saying they could lose money if the currency recovers from recent weakness. He said the foreign exchange market has been under a lot of stress as U.S. Treasury yields rise, but said the situation in Brazil is "under control," with dollars flowing into the country's stock market and through foreign direct investment, Reuters reports.

Chile's economy expands 4.1 percent on year in second quarter
Mining and retail sectors boosted growth 

The economy of Chile continues to show signs of slowing down, after the central bank reported growth of 4.1 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, and 4.3 percent for the first half of 2013. Domestic demand increased 4.5 percent year-on-year in the quarter, fuelled by household consumption of goods and services, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Uruguay pushes Mercosur for free trade accord with the U.S.
Foreign investment to the South American nation stands at 7 percent gross domestic product

Uruguayan Vice-President Danilo Astori said Mercosur must decisively address the signing of a free trade agreement with the United States.“Mercosur must have joint international policies, an agreement on moderate protection from third parties and above all must have agreements with other trade blocks," insisted Astori, MercoPress reports.

MOREOVER

Uruguay among region's most expensive countries Bernama

Chilean ports get ready for post-Panamax ships The Bulletin Panama

Venezuelan public debt estimated at $219 billion El Universal

Peru set to become region's leading exporter Andina

Uruguayan state-oil company seeks venture with Venezuelan peer Bernama