International Business

MEXICAN STOCKS

* Mexican stocks ended a volatile session by closing slightly higher, helped by a rebound in the peso and strong gains in the Dow Jones industrial average.

* President Ernesto Zedillo announced an ambitious plan for development Wednesday that calls for boosting Mexico’s economy by 5% a year once the immediate crisis is over. He stressed the importance of private investment in railroads, telecommunications, ports, airports, power, highways and the storage and distribution of natural gas.

* Dealers said the market got a boost from the rebound of the peso, which ended 0.5% stronger against the dollar.

The Bolsa Index

Wednesday closes: 1,945.13

Sources: Dow Jones; Bloomberg Business News

SPOTLIGHT: BOLIVIA

Bolivia, the poorest country in Latin America, offers a new wrinkle in the region’s mania for privatization. The government proposes to give away half-interests in its six main enterprises. The other half will be deeded to pension funds for Bolivian workers. Leaders hope to attract investment to spur the country’s mediocre growth rate.

Sources: Bank of America; World Information Services