TOPIC: In an effort to save an economy threatened by hyperinflation, Ecuador's President Jamil Mahuad recently unveiled a plan to replace its currency, the sucre, with the dollar, the A.P. recently reported. Ecuador would be the first South American country to replace its currency with the greenback, joining Panama and nine other countries worldwide that use the U.S. dollar as legal currency. While Ecuador's plan faces some opposition, most Ecuadoreans reportedly are in favor of the decision. By adopting the dollar, Ecuador would be able to curb inflation and borrow money at lower, U.S. interest rates, potentially drawing in foreign investors.

EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story:

Dr. Bruce R. Magid is an international business strategist and expert in the global economy and financial markets. He has an expertise in Latin America.

Professor Mariano Tommasi of Universidad de San Andres, Argentina, is an expert in Latin American economics and industrial organization.

Professor Graciela Chichilnisky of Columbia University studies international economics with a focus on Latin America.

Lionel Baugh, VP and regional manager for the Communique Group at Charles Schwab, is an expert in Latin America financial services and emerging financial markets.

Greg Keough, CEO of Zona Financiera, has founded and run a number of businesses in the United States and Latin America. He is an expert in Latin American economic issues.

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