Stories about Economics & Business from March, 2011
Indonesia: Expense tracker applications
BudiPutra features three expense tracker websites developed by Indonesian developers.
China’s property bubble
Edward Khoo from Fool's Mountain looks into the market psychology that contributes to the property bubble and affects the government's soft landing measures.
Kenya: Learn about Dealfish Kenya
Moses posts his presentation on Dealfish Kenya that he gave at the monthly meetup of MobileMonday Kenya: “The mobile channel is incredibly important for Dealfish in Kenya since up to 50% of our users access our web site via the mobile web.”
Haiti: Developing Aid
“The agenda of development aid should not be set by people so far removed from the uncertainty of life that has dominated human existence for the majority of time”: Throwing Down the Water wants to get everyone speaking the same language.
Sri Lanka: The Government Deficit
Serendipity tries to analyze the impacts of the regular trend of preparing deficit annual budget by the Sri Lankan government.
Trinidad & Tobago: Upsetting Issues
From the state of health care to advertising campaigns, Plain Talk posts a list of all the things that are upsetting him.
Barbados, Bermuda: Cost of Development
“As Barbados citizens question the government’s decision to allow development at Cove Bay, our friends to the north in Bermuda are rising against a similar decision by their government to kill green space in pursuit of the almighty dollar”: Barbados Free Press reports.
Ghana: Are bloggers under threat?
Are Ghanaian bloggers under threat?: “Governments and corporations have approached bloggers and those active in social media in Ghana, to find new avenues to disseminate their information. We can be sure they are doing the same thing in other countries.”
Uzbekistan: Authorities intensify control over mobile operators
Abdulfazal informs his readers that Uzbekistan – in clear response to events in the Middle East and Northern Africa – is seizing control over cellular companies in the country. Mobile operators were instructed to report on any suspicious actions by their customers, including any kind of massive SMS distributions.
Kyrgyzstan: Political Games and Investment Climate
Murzaki provides a detailed coverage of the controversy around one of the largest cellular operators in Kyrgyzstan, which had undergone nationalization last year. However, nationalization without led to the situation when all interested parties are trying to get a piece of the pie, he says.
Myanmar: VoIP calls declared illegal
The Irrawaddy reports that the Myanmar government has ordered internet cafe operators to stop VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls since they allegedly affect state revenues.
Barbados, Turks & Caicos: Corruption Charges
As the brother of a former Turks and Caicos Finance Minister is arrested on allegations of fraud and money laundering, Barbados Free Press says: “In Barbados when elected or appointed public officials or their family members are found to be engaged in corrupt activities, the politicians will trade some insults...
Pakistan: Investigating Loan Write-offs A Bad Idea
Feisal Naqvi at Monsoon Frog explains why the investigation into loan write-offs was a bad idea.
Lebanon: Alliance Controlling Libya's Oil
“Let no one be fooled, these people know no humanity, nor should we want their selective humaneness.” Writes Rami Zurayk in a post criticizing the Western intervention in Libya.
Japan: The Macroeconomic Aftermath of the Earthquake/Tsunami
Ilan Noy, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Hawai'i, elaborated a theory on the macroeconomic aftermath of the magnitudo 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11.
Malaysia: Rising household debt
Anil Netto analyzes the causes of rising household debt in Malaysia. Housing loans, car loans and credit card payments make up most of household debt in the country.
Mexico: Telecom and Entertainment Industries Testify on ACTA
As reported earlier, the Mexican Senate is holding public hearings with citizens, academics, lobbyists, and Internet service providers on the Anti-Counterfeit Commercial Agreement –widely known as ACTA. On March 2, lobbyists from the creative, telecommunications and entertainment industries had the opportunity to present their positions to the senators. Here is a summary of the session.
Saudi Arabia: King Promises Saudis More Money
More money was promised to Saudis today, following an address by King Abdulla to the nation. In a short address, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanked clerics, writers and the Ministry of Interior for their efforts in defending the kingdom. Announcements and decrees then followed that billions would be dished out on Saudis.
Bahamas: Energy Reform
“So here we are, two years after the last oil shock, and prices are over $100 per barrel again, with some forecasters saying they could pass the 2008 high of $147 a barrel that sent everyone scrambling to cut energy costs”: Bahama Pundit‘s Larry Smith looks at alternatives for the...
East Timor: Why is Transparency Important?
Curt Hopkins, from the blog ReadWriteWeb, comments on the Timor Leste Transparency Portal [en, pt, tet], recently launched by the Timorese Government. Hopkins raises some questions on the relevance of financial transparency in Timor's context, and calls on readers to discuss it.
China: Rap on Chinese Price
Ministry of Tofu translates a parody rap on the soaring consumer prices in China.
