“Author Archive”
Stories written by Linda Roberts
Early in August, Japanese beverage and beer giant acquired a massive stake in Brazil’s Schincariol, part of a growing hunger for South American commodities by Asian investors. For example, that same week, China’s JAC Motors announced it would invest $900 million in a Brazilian auto plant. Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) have all been deemed hot investment properties at roughly the same stage of development. Brazil is widely viewed as the manufacturing powerhouse of South America, though it’s unstable fiscal policies are a worry to some. China, in desperate need of energy, mineral and food resources worldwide, has surpassed the United States, becoming Brazil’s largest trading partner and the largest investor there in 2010, injecting about $30 billion.
August 8th, 2011 | Posted in Global Finance,Headlines | Read More »
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai disagree strongly about the nation’s land redistribution policy, but both have recruited South Africa to persuade Prime Minister David Cameron to “honour Britain’s obligations” by funding land reform efforts in Zimbabwe. The controversial land seizures have been taking white owned lands and redistributing them to black veterans of Zimbabwe’s revolutionary war since 2000. Mugabe recently vowed that his land seizures would continue, in defiance of the global political agreement (GPA) which requires an end to the practice. The formal disbandment of the Namibia-based SADC Tribunal ruling, has accelerated the land grabs from white farmers in recent months. Prime Minister Tsvangirai has called for an immediate stop to the accelerated land grabs and an audit to determine who owns what. This would shed light on the multiple ownerships and to ensure security of tenure for all farmers, black and white. Mugabe, a former leader of the liberation movement has denied the land audit every time it arises.
August 4th, 2011 | Posted in Headlines,International Real Estate,Real Estate News | Read More »
Argentinian authorities have announced plans to develop a nuclear-powered submarine for it’s navy, which it plans to arm with conventional weapons, for the time being. The armament of choice for such subs is typically nuclear torpedoes. Despite political rhetoric to the contrary, many South American countries are spending their gains from the current commodities boom on military endeavors, expensive new war toys, and rearmament of aging military forces. Richer countries, such as Venezuela, which benefits heavily from oil exports, have even borrowed against future income to arm their military. Though Argentina is only the third largest economy in South America, and has not benefited as much as other states from the commodities boom, the country seems bent on a nuclear sub.
August 1st, 2011 | Posted in Global Finance,Headlines,International Real Estate | Read More »
Uruguay recently filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue up to $560 million in government bonds. The bonds are part of a $2.9 billion securities program, according to the document, which was filed July 25th. Uruguay has had an overall positive outlook in recent years, despite some small political hiccups in recent months relating to it’s bloody past. Uruguay may be small in area, but recently it has seen a surge in investment. Fitch Ratings issued a small rating increase for Uruguay mid-July, and upgrade to BB+, a rating which is “speculative”. The rating stopped just short of investment grade. Uruguay’s growth performance and outlook are still “quite favorable,” the rating agency said.
July 25th, 2011 | Posted in Global Finance,Headlines,International Real Estate,Real Estate News | Read More »
Ecuador’s electricity minister has signed an agreement which could turn out to be worth more than $100 million in sales for foreign suppliers of energy generators to Cuba. Official media are reporting that the agreement states that Cuba will provide 110 megawatts of thermal power for Ecuador in the future. A pair of other agreements, recently signed by Ecuadorean Electricity Minister Esteban Albornoz and Cuban Basic Industries Minister Tomás Benítez in Havana, establish “efficient ways for training in the electric sector” and collaboration on energy efficiency. Both countries are being rather tight-lipped, and neither has come forward with any details.The agreement apparently amends a 2009 “memorandum of understanding” on energy cooperation. Under the 2009 contract, Cuba has provided 390 mw of distributed energy produced by fuel-oil generators, biogas and biomass technology, and manages a substitution program which helps to convert Ecuadorean households to electric stoves. For it’s part, Ecuador makes it’s hydroelectric knowledge available to Cuba. Ecuador already uses Cuban help in training energy management experts.
July 24th, 2011 | Posted in Global Finance,Headlines,International Real Estate | Read More »
Productivity for the 21st Century states that gaps in productivity on small farms in Africa are one of the largest factors in the global food security crisis. The report states that only small improvements to the farming system in Africa can turn struggling farms into prosperous ones. Africa is one of the most food deficient areas in the world, global supply chains having chronically failed the region, and relatively little developed agriculture due to extreme poverty.
July 15th, 2011 | Posted in Global Finance,Headlines,International Real Estate,Real Estate News | Read More »
Atop a small hill near a jungle lake cloaked in untouched wilderness, the Napo Wildlife Center, nestled in Yasuní National Park, is just one of Ecuador’s many ecotourism lodges. The Center is also a blueprint for Native-owned tourist excursions, conservation and community organization in one of the most biologically diverse protected areas in the world.
July 8th, 2011 | Posted in Headlines,International Real Estate | Read More »
The European Union has announced plans to rescue the Euro Area’s dwindling fish stocks sometime next week, with the goal of complete sustainability by 2015, according to draft proposals shown to Reuters. The idea is piece of a group of proposals which would reform the EU’s common fisheries policy, including $887 million in EU subsidies per year for the sector, The proposals are expected to be accepted by the European Commission on July 13.
July 7th, 2011 | Posted in Global Finance,Headlines | Read More »
Cuba’s Organic Revolution has been recognized by an international audience. Recently the Swedish Parliament delivered the presentation of the Right Livelihood Award,- the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’, to the Grupo de Agricultura Organica (GAO), the Cuban organic farming association. The GAO has been at the forefront of the country’s transition from industrial to organic agriculture. Now, as many as 1600 organic farmers from India will get to visit Cuba to learn about that country’s achievements in organic farming. India now wants its farmers to study the organic sugarcane cultivation in Cuba. “Unlike India, small groups of 300 to 400 organic sugarcane farmers themselves have set up and manage co-operative sugar factories in Cuba. These small factories are operating well. This will lead to a more open market for something that is traditionally seen as Corporate or State run. And it will fuel the Cuba’s Organic Revolution. Currently Cuban farming has moved to a more autonomous system, “Autoconsumo” which meant that Farms would set aside land for provisioning their own workers. Another important change was that foods are no longer delivered by farms to the central marketing agency, but directly to a market for direct distribution, much like voluntary capitalist cooperatives. In this sense state control has yielded to autonomy for the farm.
April 29th, 2011 | Posted in Global Finance,Headlines,International Real Estate,Real Estate News | Read More »
Argentina real estate is affordable, but if you plan to rent, you may find it more expensive. It is one of the best investments many people will make when they retire there. Property will be yours forever or most likely stay in their family and pass down through your family. Yes, as a foreigner there is clear title, mortgage and property insurance, using many international firms.
April 20th, 2011 | Posted in Global Finance,Headlines,International Real Estate,Real Estate News | Read More »
