Chile: Forestry Investments Forecast to Top $4 Billion

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(Free-Press-Release.com) April 7, 2004 -- Chile: Forestry Investments Forecast to Top $4 Billion

The Chilean forestry sector comprises more than 940 companies that export some 500 forestry related products. Total forestry exports exceed $2 billion a year and sector investments are forecast at more than $4 billion for the next five years.

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Banking & Finance

Chile: New Laws Make it Easier for Banks to Develop Non-Traditional Services

Of Chile's more than 60 financial institutions, 29 are banks and three are consumer loan offices. The remainder are non-bank offices of foreign lenders. Of the 29 regular banks, 12 are Chilean and 17 are foreign, a reflection of the interest in both growing consumer banking and financial markets development, as well as traditional capital flows to and from productive direct investment. A key reason for the strong presence of foreign banks is that banking laws regulate foreign and local banks in the same manner.

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Construction & Materials

Argentina: Government Spending to Boost Construction Sector

Argentina expects to spend $30 billion on public works and housing projects over the next five years, promising a boost for builders, steel makers and other industries hammered by a two-year recession. The plan includes $20 billion in proposed spending on roads, and other big ticket projects, much of it financed by public funds. The government expects to spend another $10 billion on housing.

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Energy

Brazil: Privatizations May Spark Investments in Electricity Sector

Hydropower supplies more than 90% of Brazilian electricity. Low amounts of rainfall and under-investment have contributed to an energy crisis in the country. Brazil generates about 70,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity annually, and consumes all but an estimated 5% of total output. This cushion is not large enough given the country's dependence on hydroelectric plants and the constant growth in demand for power. The federal government may try to privatize power utilities such as Cemig, Cesp and Eletrobras unit Furnas before the 2002 elections in a bid to spark investment in the sector.

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Environmental Services

Colombia: Government Requires Investments of $34 billion in Environmental Sector

The Colombian government says it needs to invest $34 billion in the environmental during the next decade. Investments include water and wastewater treatment plants, water pollution control and monitoring and control equipment, solid waste hauling and disposal equipment, air pollution monitoring and control equipment, and environmental services consulting.

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