Stories about Economics & Business from May, 2012
North Korean Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur Dishing up Dollars?
Diana van Oort wrote a post on North Korean restaurants in Kaula Lumpur in one travel site. After explaining her general impressions of food, service and atmosphere, the author included some context on how the North Korean regime use chains of restaurants to earn foreign currency.
Bangladesh: Questions Over Indian ‘Tourism City’ Investment Proposal
The story of a 10 Billion Taka (US$120 million) investment in Bangladesh has made it into the country's headlines, following a visit by Subrata Roy Sahara, chairman of Sahara India Pariwar, one of India's largest business conglomerates. The group are planning to develop a 40 square kilometre housing project situated approximately 50 kilometres from Bangladesh's capital Dhaka.
Qatar: Deadly Blaze in Shopping Mall
On May 28 a fire broke out at Doha's Villaggio Mall, leaving 19 dead, 13 of whom were children. The children were trapped in a nursery within the mall, and they and four teachers died of smoke inhalation. Two firefighters died as they attempted to rescue them.
Somaliland: Sectors for Potential Investment
John identifies sectors in Somaliland that are attractive for potential investment: “Although not blessed with mineral wealth, arable land, or a large population, Somaliland does have a few sectors that might interest seasoned investors or savvy entrepreneurs. Infrastructure is one major area.”
Africa: Hands Off Africa Event in London
Hands Off Somalia blog announces hand Hands off Africa! meeting: “Join us at 2pm on Saturday 16 June at the Horn of Africa Community Group centre to listen to speakers discuss the recent new scramble for African resources by Britain and its imperialist allies in Europe and around the world.”
Cameroon: Announcing Cameroon Startup Challenge
VC4Africa announces Cameroon Startup Challenge: The competition offers a cash prize of USD $5,000 for the most innovative web, mobile or hardware-based business venture in Cameroon.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Government Partnership a Leaky Ship?
A handful of Trinidadian bloggers seem disillusioned with the People's Partnership government and are being rather vocal about their reasons - especially in light of the country's upcoming 50th anniversary of Independence.
Ghana: Make Petroleum Revenue Management Bill Public
Seth Bokpe reports that a coalition of civil society organisations in Ghana has called on the government to make the draft Petroleum Revenue Management Bill public.
Myanmar: Power Shortage Protests Spread
Power blackouts in several Myanmar towns triggered peaceful protests in the country. Several protesters were detained but it didn't stop the gathering of ordinary residents and consumers who are angry over the electricity shortage. The protesters also want the government to explain why it continues to sell power supply to China despite the electricity shortage in the country
Armenia: Fascist Rubo (Hayrapetyan)
With anti-gay hysteria breaking out in nationalist and official circles, Unzipped: Gay Armenia now reports that Ruben Hayrapetyan, a ruling Republican Party MP and President of the Armenian Football Association, has joined in by declaring that homosexuals should be ‘punished.’ One of Armenia's notorious oligarchs also known as ‘Nemetz (German)...
Video: How Societies Work – a Look at Unconventional Arrangements
The VJ Movement has partnered with the London School of Economics to bring us videos and stories that attempt to show how societies in conflict and crisis-affected areas across the globe are facing their futures.
Qatar: Shopping and Phones Permitted!
Netizens in Qatar have responded indignantly to an article published on the Sydney Morning Herald website, which claimed that Qatari women were not allowed to go shopping, and did not have easy access to technology.
Tajikistan: Did Drug Money Finance Cell Phone Company?
Diplomatic cables made available by WikiLeaks reveal interesting details about who stood behind the creation of Tajikistan's major companies. In his blog, journalist Zafar Abdullayev analyzes [ru] documents that suggest the formation of one of Tajikistan's largest cell phone operators was financed by drug money. Another major cell phone company...
Tajikistan: The Economics of the Drug Trade in a Poor Country
In Tajikistan, an article run by the The Economist triggered a conversation on news websites about corruption among the country’s officials and their involvement in the drug trade.
Trinidad & Tobago: Film Strategy
Mark Lyndersay blogs about some of the issues facing the local film industry, here.
Germany: #Blockupy Protests Against Pan-European Austerity
'Blockupy' protests against the austerity measures being implemented in the Eurozone shook the financial epicenter of Europe - Frankfurt - last week. Online social networks buzzed with citizen reports on the mobilizations that occurred under massive police presence and repression.
French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique: Ministers Appointed for Skills or as Tokens?
With a great majority of voters for candidate Hollande in the French presidential elections hailing from the overseas regions, French-Caribbean bloggers were impatient to see which French Guyanese, Martinican or Guadeloupean politicians would be assigned a key government ministry.
Zambia: Tensions Continue Over Severe Fuel Shortages
Zambian netizens do not understand why they are experiencing fuel shortages barely a month after President Michael Sata’s PF government donated 5 million liters of fuel to Malawi following the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika.
Southeast Asia: ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection Website
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations committee on consumer protection has launched a website to inform consumers in the region regarding banned or recalled products.
Ethiopia: G8 Summit Casts Fresh Light on Ethiopia
Netizens have stepped up their effort to draw attention to Ethiopia’s independent media situation as the G8 Summit approaches. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and three other African heads of state are expected to attend. The upcoming G8 Summit in the United States will be held at Camp David in Maryland from 18-19 May, 2012.
Ukraine: Yulia Tymoshenko's Plight and Euro 2012
There must be some corners on the web where football fans are still having apolitical discussions of Euro 2012, scheduled to take place in Poland and Ukraine from June 8 to July 1. For the past few weeks, however, the upcoming sporting event has featured prominently in arguments and discussions among those who seem more interested in the Ukrainian and European politics than sports.
