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Brazil, Australia open talks on agricultural trade deals
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Brazil's Lula says economy will grow with more jobs
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Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon up in February
March 10 (Reuters) - The latest in Latin American politics today:
Paraguay's president to meet with Argentine counterpart
Paraguay's President Mario Abdo Benitez is due to meet with his Argentine counterpart in Buenos Aires, according to a tweet posted by Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Benitez will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Julio Arriola. They will address the bilateral agenda, in particular the efficiency of navigability in the Paraguay-Parana waterway, the tweet said.
Brazil, Australia open talks on agricultural trade deals
SAO PAULO - The Brazilian and Australian governments have opened talks aimed at forging new agricultural trade agreements, according to a statement from the Brazilian agriculture ministry. Brazil aims to export pork to Australia, the statement said. The South American country in turn could start importing Australian wheat and barley under a potential pact.
Brazil's Lula says economy will grow with more jobs
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the country's gross domestic product (GDP) will grow this year because the government will work to boost job creation. "We cannot accept the idea that GDP won't grow because someone said so," Lula told ministers ahead of a meeting. "We will tell them that GDP will grow because we will create jobs." The leftist president also said he wants state-owned banks to help with economic growth by investing and granting credit. He praised his economic team and said he believes they will manage to "find money" for investments. Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon up in February
SAO PAULO - Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest rose in February to the highest level on record for the month, preliminary official data showed, highlighting challenges the new government faces to stop the destruction. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has pledged to end illegal logging after years of surging deforestation under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. Experts and environmental officials have warned it could take years to significantly lower deforestation after Bolsonaro cut funding and staff at key agencies. (Compiled by Steven Grattan; Editing by Paul Simao)
