2009-05-20

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and Florida-based Port Manatee signed an MOU on Monday (May 18) to boost joint marketing and encourage the exchange of information and business insight, the former reported in a release.

2009-05-20

The free trade agreement (FTA) recently signed between Colombia and Chile will facilitate the approval of international financing for infrastructure concession projects, an official from Chilean concessionaire association Copsa told BNamericas.

2009-05-19

The European Commission (EC) is considering creating a new financial system with Latin American governments to boost key infrastructure projects and allay negative effects the global financial crisis may have on regional investments, Mexican paper Milenio reported.

2009-05-19

Mexico's transport and communications ministry (SCT) to date has allocated 35.4bn pesos (US$2.70bn) for projects nationwide under its 2009 highway program, the entity reported in a release.

2009-05-19

The Ecuadorian branch of French cement firm Lafarge has completed the US$120mn expansion of its cement plant that will double production to 1.6Mt/y, local press reported.

2009-05-19

Brazilian national development bank BNDES disbursed 92.8bn reais (US$44.8bn) in the 12 months to end-April, up 22% on the previous 12-month period, the bank said in a statement.

2009-05-19

Argentine President Cristina Fernández announced a number of infrastructure development initiatives totaling 571mn pesos (US$153mn) to be carried out in Neuquén province, local press reported.

2009-05-19

South American governments need to improve infrastructure management and set up independent regulators to ensure proper project inspection and supervision, Andean Development Corporation (CAF) research director Pablo Sanguinetti told BNamericas.