September 10, 2013

EXCLUSIVE Coca-Cola most popular brand in region
Beverage firm places highly in the surveyed countries, but with Peru an interesting exception 

Coca-Cola is the most popular brand in Latin America, according to recent data from the Brand Footprint report, a publication of the Kantar Wordpanel. Of the eight countries — Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela — and the Central America region included in the list, Coca Cola comes out on top overall, Latin Business Chronicle reports.

Standard & Poor's sees possible debt upgrade for Mexico
Ratings agency also advised caution over recently announced tax overhaul

Standard & Poor's voiced caution about a Mexican tax reform, but said there was room for a debt upgrade if the fiscal plan boosts revenue and a significant energy reform is approved. The firm's Lisa Schineller said it was unclear if the proposed mix of new taxes would raise revenue significantly, given the reform's new spending proposals and scrapping of old levies, the Global Post reports.

Brazil considers importing coffee
Aim is to boost roasted blend exports

Brazil is considering allowing coffee imports of the to help improve the blends roasted in the country. Brazil wants to boost exports of roasted blends, while reducing the sale of green beans and start importing coffee from countries such as Colombia to blend with its own beans, Trade Minister Fernando Pimentel (left) said. “We have to improve our blend, and that means bringing at least 30 percent of coffee from elsewhere to mix with our own,” he said, Bloomberg reports.

Malaysia's Petronas to exit one of Venezuela's largest oil projects
Disagreements with state-owned PDVSA and authorities led to decision

Malaysian oil company Petronas said it is exiting one of the biggest petroleum projects in Venezuela's Orinoco belt. The firm said it took the decision after disgreements with Venezuelan authorities and state oil company PDVSA. The project, called Petrocarabobos, has investments planned of up to $25 billion over 25 years, Reuters reports.

Colombian leader vows to stop Nicaragua's ‘expansionist plans’
Juan Manuel Santos has ordered his navy to stay in disputed waters

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said he will do everything in his power to prevent Nicaragua's "expansionist" ambitions over domestic territory. He also said that an International Court of Justice ruling that gave waters to the Central American country was inapplicable. Nicaragua also wants to push its maritime borders closer to the historic city of Cartagena, he said, Reuters reports.

MOREOVER

Peru and Chile to boost bilateral trade and investment Bernama

Peru's exports to Russia up 134 percent in first half Andina

OECD sees slowdown in Brazil Nasdaq

Trade between Venezuela and Colombia down 9 percent El Universal

Mexico's auto output and exports drop in June Reuters