According to a report from the Dominican Central Bank, inflation during the first five months of the ongoing year went down to 0.77 percent, fulfilling the expectations of the International Monetary Fund in a drastic change to the elevated numbers from 2004. During the same five month period in 2004, inflation had reached 28.53 percent, finishing the year at 28.73 percent. The Central Bank reports the country is in very good shape to finish the year with single-digit inflation.

Argentina´s GDP expanded 8 percent in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period a year ago, and 0,5 percent over the fourth quarter of 2004, according to the latest release from the Statistics and Census Office. However, the Argentine economy´s overall performance also showed that gross domestic investment expanded at an annual 13,9 percent which represents a considerable slowdown compared to other previous quarters.

A controversy over corruption allegations that has dogged the Brazilian government and spooked investors showed signs of waning earlier this week. Many investors have been overweight in Brazil for much of the past two years. Brazil´s stocks, bonds and currency slumped as investors scrambled to reduce their exposure. There were even fears that further revelations would implicate senior ministers or President Lula himself, prompting a run on Brazilian assets. When no such revelations emerged, investors are now returning.

Expanding its operations in the Asia Pacific region, Pegasus Solutions, Inc has appointed Olivier Dombey as its vice president of sales and account management for the Asia-Pacific region and also opened an office in Beijing, China. Pegasus´ chief operating officer Bob Boles says one of company´s primary growth initiatives for 2005 is expansion in the Asia-Pacific region and he termed the signing of its electronic distribution agreement with consolidator of hotel and flight accommodations in China, Ctrip.com, in December last year as an important step towards the same.

TravelCLICK has announced an agreement to provide Amadeus with the ability to offer preferred placement to its hotel clients. The solution is called Amadeus Instant Preference. According to TravelCLICK, provider of e-commerce solutions for hotels, the solution will guarantee subscribing hotels prime position towards the top of the display of the travel distribution system.

The Mexican peso surged last week to approach its strongest level against the dollar in eighteen months. Later last week, it had reached 10.83 pesos to the dollar, down 10 centavos for the week, and down sharply from a high of 11.61 pesos set late last year.