Country Briefings articles

Recent articles from Country Briefings

Argentina: IMF Defers US$2.5 Billion in Repayments.
May 26, 2005... Byline: BARRY WHEELOCK The Economy: According to a study by local consultancy Trends Consulting, in Q1 2005 personal computer (PC) sales rose by 50% compared to the same quarter of 2004 to a total of 208,436 units. Leading the market were US giants Hewlett-Packard and IBM and local...

Australia: Sweeping Tax Cuts in 2005/06 Budget.
May 26, 2005... Byline: BARRY WHEELOCK The Economy: The central bank left interest rates unchanged at 5.5% for a second month in a row on May 4th. The decision was widely expected following data showing inflation was contained. A private survey showed that Australian newspaper job advertising...

Brazil: Trade Surplus Hits Record in April.
May 26, 2005... Byline: BARRY WHEELOCK The Economy: Industrial output rose by 1.7% in March from a year earlier (the weakest pace in 17 months), as increasing interest rates slowed demand and a stronger currency discouraged production of farming machinery and other goods for export. According...

Canada: Economic Indicators Point to Effects of Strong Currency.
May 26, 2005... Byline: BARRY WHEELOCK The Economy: According to Statistics Canada (StatsCan), in Q4 2004 labour productivity rose at a slower than expected 0.2% compared with Q3 2004 (the worst performance since 1996 and falling far behind the US). "In 2004, Canadian businesses recorded their...

Chile: Bachelet Continues to Lead Presidential Polls.
May 26, 2005... Byline: BARRY WHEELOCK The Economy: The country's economic growth slowed in February as retail sales and manufacturing output cooled. The economy expanded 5.6% from a year earlier, compared with 6.2% growth in January, the central bank reported. Economic growth may accelerate in 2005...