Bolivia's consumers stymied by poverty.
The headline of a story posted on the Time.com website on November
1, 2006 reads, "Can Bolivia's Revolution Pay Dividends?"
The unpleasant answer, not offered by the story itself is, "Not
very . . .
Change to come slowly for Nicaraguans.
Within days of being certified as the new President of Nicaragua,
Daniel Ortega, former leader of the Sandinistas in the civil war that
brought him to power in 1979 and led the United States (US) . . .
Mexico's strong growth slows slightly.
Mexico's growth slowed in the third quarter 2006 in response
to economic sluggishness in the United States (US), Mexico's
biggest trading partner. Specifically, demand was lower for cotton
fabric, . . .
Colombia inflation under control.(Brief article)
Consumer demand is fueling Colombia growth, and that has the
Central Bank of the Republic of Colombia worried. Since 1995-when the
rate of inflation grew 20.9 percent over 1994-Colombia has been . . .
Venezuelan consumers borrow to spend.(Brief article)
Venezuela's growing oil revenues are apparently filtering down
to the consumer level via an indirect route-expanded consumer credit.
In its October 2, 2006 edition, Fortune Magazine (New York) . . .
Panamanians approve canal upgrade.(Panama Canal upgrade leads to
economic development of the region)(Brief article)
When the Panama Canal is characterized as Panama's number one
"asset"-as did the Miami Herald (Miami) when reporting the
vote on Panama's referendum to authorize a huge upgrade of the
Canal to . . .
Packaged foods in Brazil.
There are a number of products one could point to that are icons of
the sophistication of consumer markets. Brazil has several. But perhaps
one of the most important is packaged foods.
On . . .
Consumers provide steady support in Brazil.(Brazil's Central
Bank makes effort to control inflation)(International Monetary
Fund
Brazil's Central Bank (BCB) has had the political freedom in
recent years to maintain a strenuous effort to control Brazil's
inflation. During the decade from 1996 through 2005 growth in the . . .
Honduras begins a long journey.
Possibly grasping at straws, the World Bank, in its most recent
review of the Honduran economy (updated in August 2006) calls Honduras,
"the most open country in Central America." The . . .
Politics, progress and Uruguay's economy.
Regional political maneuvering is influencing Uruguay's
economy. Ideological differences, which at their root, define economic
alignment with either the United States (US) or Venezuela, are . . .
Brazil's expansion cools somewhat.
The major signs from Brazil's economy all point to a slowdown.
For example, a September 19, 2006 Bloomberg News report said that July
2006 retail sales were less than what had been expected. In . . .
Strike dampens Chilean growth.(Brief article)
Although Chile's economy has diversified in recent years, it
is still a commodity exporting country. Copper, of course, is its major
commodity, and as the world's biggest producer of copper, Chile . . .
Inflation is under control in Peru.
In a review of monetary issues for October 2006, the Central
Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) cites very favorable inflation statistics.
The inflation rate in metropolitan Lima increased only 0.03 . . .
Argentina's consumers remain optimistic.(Brief
article)
The Argentina Economy Ministry's "Economic
Indicators" for September 2006 shows that consumer sentiment was
positive in the July 2006-August 2006 period with an average index
reading of . . .
Consumer electronics in the Caribbean.
Noting increasing incomes and sophistication, a recent analysis of
the consumer electronics market in the Caribbean says that not only are
consumer tastes evolving, but consumers are expecting more . . .
Consumers push Mexican retail sales higher.
Two statistics descriptive of Mexican consumer behavior are shown
in the graph. The first is the percentage change in retail sales, the
second is the percentage change in Mexico's unemployment . . .
Dominican Republic crisis fades.
An August 1, 2006 World Bank report appraising the progress of its
institutional strengthening efforts in the Dominican Republic (DR)
summed up the country's recent difficulties this . . .
Costa Rica rehabilitating its reputation.
On May 9, 2006, Costa Rica's newly elected (by the narrowest
of margins) president took office. Many observers feel that he was
elected by virtue of his reputation-as a winner of the Nobel Peace . . .
Brazilian recovery benefits consumers.
Brazil's consumers are benefiting more from the economy's
recovery. Bloomberg News reported from Rio de Janeiro on July 27, 2006
that June 2006 monthly household income rose 0.5 percent from May . . .
Interest rates slow Chile's growth.(Brief article)
Chile's economic expansion is slowing. Compared with June
2005, the Chilean economy grew 4.5 percent in June 2006. According to an
August 7, 2006 Bloomberg News report, the local economists the . . .
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