Stories about Economics & Business from March, 2007
Bahrain: When ‘moderate’ means ‘acquiescent’
This week some Bahraini bloggers took part in an evening regarding the role of blogging in cultural development, and the literary aspect of online writing in particular. Hisham Khalifa has posted his introduction to the evening: Culture is not created by governments, kings, queens or presidents. It’s not created by...
India: Flower-Lane
A flower market in photographs at Trivial Matters. “A kaleidoscope for your senses. Dadar Phulgalli [flower-lane] takes your traditional Bombay smells of sweat, toil, paint, iron and turns them into the smell of marigolds.. Wipe your brow and you find petals in addition to sweat.”
Mexico: Biofuels, corn prices and food security
Sitna Quiroz on “Biofuels, corn prices and food security in Mexico:” “Media reports attributed the rise in tortilla prices to dwindling imports of corn due to its increasing demand for ethanol production. Others argued that the problem was not lack of corn, but rather the monopolizing practices and speculation carried...
Japan: Body Suits
You can choose between sexy body suit or powerful body suit in the beach this summer, Lee from Tokyo Times.
China and U.S: Amercia Oil and China Property Price
Kaie compares the rise of America oil and China property price. Both are nescessary goods and both markets are monopolized (zh).
China: Private Banking
Imagethief comments on China Bank's announcement of private banking service for local millionaires. He anticipates that fat money will still go to global banks.
China: Education system
Onemanbandwidth wrote a piece on China education system, in particular the “industrialization of education”: Investors, smart businessmen with no business being in the education business, are reaping huge profits by short-changing Chinese youth.
Twits and wits: Malawian bloggers on new technologies, nature, myths, Zimbabwe, and a hard work ethic
Since the last Malawi roundup, the Malawian blogosphere has continued to be abuzz with posts announcing new technologies, news on Internet-based radios, existing radio stations going online, stories about farming initiatives, as well as reflections on nature and Malawian places of mythical, if not mysterious, interest. There have also been...
Trinidad & Tobago: Second Life for Caribbean Teens?
Caribbean Public Relations reports on Coca-Cola‘s latest marketing concept for Caribbean teenagers – “a virtual city…called Caribbean Connection. The idea borrows from the Second Life concept, where you can go into the virtual world, interact with others, participate in activities, and create ‘a life'”.
Americans in Moldova; Moldovans in Italy…
Alexandru Culiuc's weblog is one of the best in the Moldovan blogosphere – probably the one I enjoy reading the most, and happily it has an owner and readership that don't seem to mind my mostly English-language comments. Last year, Alex had an interesting post about foreigners’ impressions of Moldova...
Israel: Booming Economy
Ted Belman says Israel's economy is booming and this is why.
Pakistan: A harsh look
Behind the Chairman's Door takes a harsh look at Pakistan. “In Pakistan, the only goal is to get more money, no matter it be by honest or dishonest means. The traffic police take bribes to not write a citation. The city police take bribes to register cases, real or false....
India, Bangladesh: Lessons from Nandigram
Unheard Voices takes a look at the violence in Nandigram in India. “What is remarkable in this tragedy is the arrogant attitudes and brutal actions of a government that is democratically-elected and that is filled with nominal socialists and communists. In true deshi fashion, the police forces’ brutality has been...
Ukraine: Kherson Success Story
Ukraine Update shares a small business success story from Kherson.
Ukraine: Mad Max
Foreign Notes writes about the killing of mobster Maxim Kurochkin and the investigation into it.
Iran: Connecting the Medical World and Norouz Inspires Reflection
Iranian bloggers provide information, share their opinions, and discuss various issues with their photography, illustrations, and text. But that's not all. Occasionally, they launch plans to make the world a better place. Paris Marashi, an Iranian-American video-blogger has revealed a project that aims to bring Iranian medical professionals in contact...
Africa: we should all wear sacks and cover ourselves in ash
A thought provoking piece by Dennis Matanda at the Sub-Saharan Africa Roundtable, Africans: A race that got lost a long time ago: “And in response to Koluki’s www.africanpath.com’s article on ‘Are We Losing the Plot?’ my answer is a resounding YES. I will even dare to go further by saying...
Madagascar: Growing with China
Madagascar Croissance reflects [Fr] on Madagascar's trade with China and East Asia, the main exporters of rice, textiles and technology to the country: “Trade between China and Madagascar … leaves the big island in deficit. But … Malagasy products were just exempted of taxes and rights in China which presents...
Korea and Japan: Sex Trade
Robert Koehler from Marmot's Hole reports that: There are currently an estimated 40,000-60,000 Koreans illegally residing in Japan. Of these, 30,000 are believed to be working in the sex trade. And the number of Korean men in Japanese host-bar is increasing rapidly.
South Korea: FTA
Jamie from Two Koreas has an update about the FTA negotiation and anti FTA protest in South Korea: The march was also able to march into Gwanghwamun unobstructed, which was even more of a surprise.
Zimbabwe: living under a dictatorship
Zimpundit on life in Zimbabwe, “In Zimbabwe, a nation dominated by government owned media, keeping up with the political realities is an impossible and risky undertaking. Media in Zimbabwe is dominated by a state owned daily newspaper, and state owned radio and television. All reports carried by state media are...
