May 21, 2014

EXCLUSIVE Colombia-U.S. trade accord: One year on
Agreement has driven growth across a wide range of Colombian sectors

This month will mark one year since the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement entered into force. The accord has helped hundreds of Colombian companies export to the U.S. for the first time, as well as drive growth across a number of Colombian sectors. To mark this anniversary, Latin Trade spoke with Maria Claudia Lacouture (right), president of Colombia’s export promotion agency Proexport, to gain her opinion on how the agreement has panned out so far, LBC reports.

Barrick seeks to solve Pascua-Lama issues
Canadian miner has invested more than $5 billion on stalled project

Barrick Gold Corp, the world’s number one gold miner, has met with Chilean officials and is keen to move forward with its suspended Pascua-Lama gold and copper project. Barrick surprised financial markets in October, when it shelved the massive mine over problems, including political opposition, environmental permitting, labour unrest, cost overruns and a sharp drop in bullion prices, The Buenos Aires Herald reports.

Venezuela suspends international mail deliveries
Postal employees say service  falls victim to ongoing airline dispute

Venezuela's postal service has indefinitely suspended international mail deliveries, citing a collapse in the distribution system due to "excessive demand". Employees at the state-run company Ipostel said that the service had fallen victim to an ongoing dispute with international airlines over currency controls. "The company is practically bankrupt, not only with its international deliveries but also its basic services because we have no materials or equipment," said Jose Gallardo, of a labour union in the state of Anzoategui, The Guardian reports.

Japanese Prime Minister mulls Latin America tour
Shinzo Abe seeks to promote economic and energy cooperation

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) is considering visiting Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago between late July and early August. Abe would seek to confirm with his Latin American counterparts plans to promote cooperation in a range of areas such as the economy and energy, the Japanese government said, the GlobalPost reports.

Brazil's Embraer climbs on $3.3 billion contract
Firm was one of five stocks that advanced on the Ibovespa on Tuesday

Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer rose the most in one week after signing a contract to deliver 28 aircraft valued at $3.3 billion. The company signed a contract with the Brazilian government to provide KC-390 aircraft over 10 years, with the first delivery expected in late 2016. Embraer was one of five stocks that advanced on the 71-member Ibovespa stock benchmark on Tuesday, Bloomberg reports.

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