The bold step towards the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) and eventually CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) was taken at the bastion of Caribbean unity, UWI Mona, on January 30 with the signing in Jamaica of the protocol to the implementation of the single market. Speaking at the event, host Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson of Jamaica stated that the signing of the document was a moment in which Caribbean people can take considerable pride. He insisted that the single market would make the region stronger in international trade negotiations and increase economic growth and employment.

Argentina experienced a trade surplus of $11.3 billion in 2005, higher than expected, but 6.46 percent below 2004 reported the Institute of Statistics and Census. Exports tabbed a record $40.01 billion, 16 percent higher than in 2004, and mainly boosted by volume (15 percent) than prices (1 percent). The automobile industry with overseas sales of $2.9 billion, 41 percent increase, was by far the most dynamic with shipments going mostly to Brazil, Mexico and Chile.

Argentina experienced a trade surplus of $11.3 billion in 2005, higher than expected, but 6.46 percent below 2004 reported the Institute of Statistics and Census. Exports tabbed a record $40.01 billion, 16 percent higher than in 2004, and mainly boosted by volume (15 percent) than prices (1 percent). The automobile industry with overseas sales of $2.9 billion, 41 percent increase, was by far the most dynamic with shipments going mostly to Brazil, Mexico and Chile.

Accor´s Consolidated Revenue Rose (CRR) by 7.9 percent to €7.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2005. At constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates, the increase was 4.7 percent. Expansion added 4.5 percent to revenue growth while asset disposals had a negative 2.5 percent impact. During the year, 182 hotels (23,632 rooms in all) were opened and 90 hotels (11,626 rooms) were closed, increasing the portfolio to 4,065 hotels (475,433 rooms) on December 31. Of the new openings, 75 percent were units operated under non-capital intensive agreements (management or franchise contracts) and a quarter belonged to owned or leased properties.

United States economic growth slowed to its weakest rate in three years in the last quarter of 2005 ending the year with an overall expansion of 3.5 percent, down from the 4.2 percent of 2004. The US economy grew at an annual rate of 1.1 percent from October to December, compared with 4.1 percent in the previous three months. The drop was caused by reduced consumer spending amid soaring fuel prices, while the government also tightened budget expenditure post-Hurricane Katrina.

The amount of money that Brits expect to spend on holidays and leisure travel has fallen for the first time in two years, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board. This unprecedented drop mirrors falls in other areas of spending, such as credit cards expenditure. The organization questioned 1,000 Brits about their holiday habits and spend every three months. For travel between January and March this year, the average Briton anticipates spending £412 on everything from short breaks and last minute deals to main summer holidays and long-haul trips. This is £170 less than the amount that people budgeted in January last year (£582).