Stories about Economics & Business from March, 2009
Russia: Igor Sechin in WSJ
Streetwise Professor and Robert Amsterdam's Blog comment on a WSJ piece based on an interview with Russia's deputy prime minister Igor Sechin.
Haiti, U.S.A.: Immigration Reform
Haiti's jmc strategies is very interested in U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden's statements on immigration reform: “Biden did not specifically say that the Administration was backing away from a legalization program. It remains therefore to be seen what steps they will take in the future.”
Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago: At the Summit
“It seems far-fetched to think that the summit’s news coverage would be dominated by the one country in the region that is absent from the event” – but The Cuban Triangle thinks that “two factors – a no-news summit agenda, and a vocal regional consensus calling on President Obama to...
Indian Elections 2009: The Impact of Socially Conscious Corporate Campaigns
In my previous posts for the Global Voices special coverage on the 2009 Indian general elections, I have analyzed how Indian politicians and political parties are using internet and mobile tools for election campaigning and civil society groups in India are using digital tools to run voter registration and transparency campaigns. In this post, I'll analyze the impact of three election-related socially conscious ad campaigns: Jaago Re by Tata Tea, My Idea by Idea Cellular and Lead India/ Bleed India by The Times of India.
Nigeria: Watch Cassava Republic Press
Nigeria's Cassava Republic Press is one of the top 10 brands to watch in 2009.
Kazakhstan: Census ended
KZBlog says that the 2009 Census ended in Kazakhstan, pointing out 9% growth in population, and shares some experience of being recorded by a census taker.
Bhutan: Banking Via SMS
Tshering Tobgay reports that SMS based mobile banking service has started in Bhutan: “The concept seems to be quite simple: you send instructions by SMS to the bank, and they respond with the required information by return SMS.”
France, Americas, Africa: The “Y'a Bon” Awards
On March 17th 2009, a group called les Indivisibles [Fr] launched the “Y'a Bon Awards”, a dubious honour bestowed upon politicians, journalists, or any public officials who have contributed to the spreading of racism in France. The Awards have sprung from reactions to a century-long advertising campaign that has not sat well with most black people in France.
Trinidad & Tobago: Identifying the Problem
Blogging from Trinidad and Tobago, This Beach Called Life thinks that the biggest problem with UDECOTT “isn’t that the public thinks it is a corrupt organization…[it's] that the masses who screamed about the corruption with the Piarco Airport Terminal are now silent and indifferent about UDECOTT.”
UAE: Will VAT be Introduced?
Will VAT be introduced in the UAE? Tune into the discussion at the UAE Community Blog.
Taiwan: Our land and the Statute of Rural Renewal
The scenery of Taiwan's countryside as simple and stunningly beautiful as depicted by the above popular lullaby will soon be vanished. Small rivers will be replaced by sewage pipes, hills will be flattened, and there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of factories and sumptuous villas rise in the middle of farmland. Of course, there will be potted plant inside the walls of these villas, but there won't be egrets or even sparrows anymore.
Vietnam: Impact of economic crisis
Lawrence summarizes news reports about the impact of the economic crisis on Vietnam.
Russia: The Oligarchs’ “Debt-Go-Round”
Copydude writes that Russia's “debt-go-round has become so huge and interwoven that it seems to be taking all the oligarchs down together”: “For the most part though, it’s looking like the end of era – and a very short list of Russians on Forbes next year.”
Indonesia: Sharia Finance
As the financial system crumbles in the developed world, some analysts in Indonesia are proposing to replace it with the Sharia Finance system.
Malaysia: Dress worth $30 million
Despite the economic crisis, a designer in Malaysia has created a dress adorned with 751 diamonds. The price tag: US$30 million. The dress is called the “Nightingale of Kuala Lumpur”
Cambodia: Demand for microfinance
The economic downturn has raised the demand for microfinance programs in Cambodia.
Russia: Obama Ice Cream Ads
Sean's Russia Blog writes about Russian ads featuring Barack Obama.
Slovenia: Economic Situation
Sleeping With Pengovsky posts an update on the state of Slovenia's economy.
Latvia: Health Care Budget Cuts
Latvian Abroad cites an example of how “the budget cuts are taking their toll” in Latvia: “Sometimes, it's a very heavy toll.”
Hungary: Foreign Media Coverage
Hungarian Spectrum writes about the coverage of Hungary in the U.S. and Canadian media.
Global Recession Survey: Survival Tips and Business Opportunities
Everybody is trying hard to cope with the global economic crisis. Bloggers are offering survival tips to their readers. Businesses around the world are adjusting. Some are even profiting from the crisis. In this post, I will feature individuals and companies exerting their very best to overcome the recession.
