A round-up of public finance news stories from Latin America & Caribbeanyou might have missed this week (August 26-30).
IMF encouragement for Brazil's economy gradual upturn
The Brazilian economy is on a gradual upturn from the slowdown begun in mid-2011, the IMF says while urging Brasilia to continue efforts to rein in inflation. The country's 12-month inflation reached 6.27% in July, close to the upper limit of the government target of 6.5%. (Merco Press, South Atlantic News Agency)
Angry teachers paralyze Mexico City with protests
This sprawling metropolis of honking cars and 22 million harried people has been brought to its knees, not by an earthquake or its ominous smoking volcanoes, but rather a small contingent of angry school teachers. (Associated Press)
Argentina's international reserves at a six year record low, and sliding
Argentina’s central bank international reserves pierced the psychological barrier of 37bn dollars and ended Tuesday at 36.9bn dollars, which is the lowest in over six years and will continue to drain since next month the country must repay in full 2bn of a 2007 sovereign bond. (Merco Press, South Atlantic News Agency)
A central bank of weed? As Uruguay nationalises pot biz, practical questions arise
With the tiny Latin American country of Uruguay poised to become the first country on earth to regulate the cultivation and distribution of marijuana, legislators here are turning their minds to how to make the country’s grand experiment actually work. (Global Post)
Jamaica Urban Transit Company to beef up fleet next week
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company will next week be rolling out approximately 100 buses as the State-owned company seeks to improve its operation in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region. (Jamaica Observer)
Guyana local government ministry donates $38m in garbage bins to NDCs
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development yesterday donated 825 garbage containers to the 15 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils in an effort to improve their garbage collection services. (Guyana Chronicle)
