Stories about Economics & Business from August, 2008
China: 500 Foreign Capital Enterprises Closed Down
Nightrain from the East in Guanjia reported that between January and July, around 500 foreign capital enterprises were forced to close down in Dongguan because of deteriorating business condition.
India: Stopped trains in Kerala leave passengers stranded
The following video uploaded by YouTube user peshaku shows irate commuters at the Angamali railway station in the southern Indian province of Kerala after they have been stranded due to a particular type of protest where workers cease operations. This phenomenon is called Harthal (Hartal) and it has become a constant problem in Kerala.
Haiti: Future of Film
“It would be impossible to understand Haiti without knowing its music, art, and dance”: Haiti Innovation thinks that film-making should be no different and has high hopes for Haitian cinema.
Barbados: Environmental Management
“We don’t have much to sell to the tourists on this island except our natural beauty, and lately that beauty is becoming difficult to see with walls of condos blocking the seaview and garbage piles taking care of the rest of the island”: Taking a cue from Brazil, Barbados Free...
Mongolia: For second time, oil prices rise for Mongolians
RML reports that, as in the rest of the world, the cost of petroleum products in Mongolia, which buys gasoline from from Russia, is rising steadily.
Kazakhstan: British ex-premier’s son served Kazakh oilmen
Zhanna Zhukova reviews allegations that Sir Mark Thatcher, son of the British ex-prime-minister Margaret Thatcher, was hired by a private Kazakh oil company to lobby for its interests and to enhance Kazakhstan’s image abroad.
Tajikistan: Charity in the name of Olympic champion
Vadim reports that a Tajik businessman decided to establish a fund in the name of first Tajik Olympic medalist.
Ukraine: Russian-Georgian War Fallout
Foreign Notes writes about some of the developments in Ukraine related to the Russian-Georgian conflict.
Russia, Georgia: Gia Jandieri's Notes at Andrei Illarionov's Blog
LJ user aillarionov – Andrei Illarionov, former economic policy adviser to Vladimir Putin – has posted a detailed “Timeline of Events in the Russians Invasion & Occupation of Georgia” (Aug. 1 – 16, 2008), sent to him by Gia Jandieri, vice president of the New Economic School – Georgia. Illarionov...
Japan: To Japanese women, WaiWai was sexual harassment
Since it exploded on the Japanese Internet less than two months ago, the scandal at Mainichi surrounding the newspaper's former English-language column “WaiWai” has taken on epic proportions. While much has been written about the scandal and its deeper implications, the duration and intensity of attacks on one of Japan's largest national newspapers has surprised almost everybody.
Trinidad & Tobago: Regional Integration?
“Trinidad and Tobago would seek economic integration by 2011, and political integration by 2013, with any or all of the nine members of the Organisation of East Caribbean States”: Notes from Port of Spain is astounded by the news, saying: “Nobody even knew this was under discussion. It's exactly the...
Cuba: Domestic Tourism
“In the absence of tourist offices where a Cuban citizen can arrange – in Cuban pesos – an excursion in his own country, private resourcefulness has addressed this ‘market niche'”: Yoani Sanchez visits Soroa “on a trip coordinated by one of these emerging ‘tour operators'”.
Japan: Foreign Population
Adam from Mutant frog blogs about the increase of foreign population on Japan society.
China: Manufacturer's Apprehension
Shen yin from the mindmeter posted an interview with a local manufacturer talking about the difficult market condition that Chinese manufacturers are facing [zh].
Angola, Brazil: A culture shock divide
Angola and Brazil's special relationship means that business between the two former Portuguese colonies is booming - as well as migration both ways across the Atlantic. But, how are these two sibling peoples getting on? This post offers the perspectives of both an Angolan and a Brazilian blogger living in Luanda.
Oman: Customer Service
Muscati, from Oman, is writing a series of articles on customer service in his country.
Peru: Amazonian Indigenous Groups Protest New Governmental Decrees
The Aguaruna indigenous group in the Peruvian Amazon is protesting several governmental decrees that some say would make it easier for the government and oil companies to have access to their lands. By occupying a petroleum station, this group has attracted the support of other indigenous groups in the region and they draw attention to the effects caused by the oil companies.
Bahamas, Guyana: Carifesta Buzz
In the midst of criticisms about the host country not being prepared for Carifesta, Bahamian blogger Nicolette Bethel says: “Guyana stepped in when we in The Bahamas relinquished our commitment to host, and, despite having had only one year to plan the festival in, took the plunge anyway.” She adds:...
Russia: Involuntary Help to Ossetia
St. Petersburg-based LJ user murenav writes (RUS): “I understand it's not easy for the people of Ossetia now. I understand they need help. But helping them should be voluntary, I think, and come from one's heart. But… My mother works at a medical institution [in Russia], and when salaries were...
Cuba, U.S.A.: Trading Partners
Child of the Revolution reports that “newly-released figures confirm what many of us have known for some time” – that the US trade restrictions on Cuba are really “not much of an embargo”.
Georgia War: Following the Oil Lead
LJ user ve4nosti_sluga comments (RUS) on an op ed in the Washington Post and analyses the argument that the struggle control over energy played a role in the Russo-Georgian war, concluding that the the significance of the BTC-pipeline is exaggerated.
