Earthquake May Delay Chile's First World Goal
Andres Oppenheimer
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I hope I'm wrong about this, but I fear that the devastating earthquake that rocked
Granted,
In a recent interview before the earthquake,
"The big goal that we have set for ourselves is that by 2018, we should be the first Latin American country that would be able to say with great pride, but also with humbleness, 'We have defeated underdevelopment, we have defeated poverty,' " Piñera said.
"Our per capita income today is of
But now, with the huge losses in roads, bridges and ports caused by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the country Saturday, there are questions about whether
Most of the damage took place in the states of Biobío, Maule, La Araucanía, Valoparaíso and O'Higgins, which include the heart of
Some economists predict a post-earthquake increase in economic activity, as funds from insurance companies, government reserves, foreign aid and international loans start pouring in for the reconstruction effort. But most are skeptical about such optimistic forecasts.
While there are no official estimates of the damage, Chilean press reports say they will be of at least
Earlier this week, I asked
"With no doubt, there will be a negative impact in the short term," Barcena said. "We had forecast that
Asked the same question,
"Remember, Hurricane Katrina happened in 2005, and five years later not all of
My opinion:
That would be a loss for all of
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