Stories about Economics & Business from December, 2007
Russia: Andrew Kuchins’ Report
Eternal Remont writes about Andrew C. Kuchins’ “Alternative Futures for Russia to 2017″ report and the Russian media's reaction to it.
China: Pollution map of China released
Just days after organizers of next year's Beijing Olympics say the games might need to be rescheduled due to harmful pollution levels, prominent environmentalists release their China Air Pollution Map, showing how and where more than 4,000 corporations—multinationals among them—have left their toxic mark, names included.
Slovenia: Political Battles
An update on Slovenia's political battles – over at Sleeping With Pengovsky, here and here.
Caribbean: A More Violent World?
Are we living in a more violent world? Some say we are; others believe that violence is simply more widely reported. Earlier this year, the World Bank suggested that the Caribbean (as a region) may have the highest murder rate in the world - and it is having a serious effect on economic growth. More and more, Caribbean bloggers are discussing the issue - and their concerns transcend territorial boundaries, economic realities and regional politics...
Venezuela: Forum on Social Issues
Gustavo Coronel of Las Armas de Coronel summarizes the content of a forum about Venezuelan social issues held at the Center of Strategic and International Studies.
Costa Rica: Banking Frustrations
Costa Rica en El Presente [es] writes about frustrations with Banco Nacional and writes about a response to an earlier blog post from bank officials.
Slovenia: Urbanc Store Renovations
Jennifer Dorroh writes about renovations at Ljubljana’s Urbanc Store, a 104-year-old art nouveau landmark.
Peru: Gratitude for Free Trade Agreement
Peru's Congress recently approved the Free-Trade Agreement with the United States. Juan Sheput of Mate Pastor [es] writes about a personal handwritten note from George W. Bush sent to former Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo thanking him for his previous work in making the agreement happen.
South Africa: Stormhoek's social media innovation
Andy is excited about Stormhoek innovation in social media: “Bloody hell. These guys KEEP innovating above the bar in the social media field. They've recently secured a distribution deal with Checkers – nice move. If I'm not mistaken Checkers has created quite a nice store-space display for broad price range...
Jamaica: Bought or Sold?
“When a Jamaican moves abroad…they learn the cynicism that comes with repeatedly being ‘sold”: Francis Wade relishes the freedom that has come with moving back home.
Haiti: Restavek
Denise Green at Haiti Innovation blogs about the island's Restavek situation.
Kenya: 2007 Kenya predictions reviewed
Bankelele reviews 2007 predictions about Kenya: “In November 2006, I wrote some predictions in the Business Post December 2006/January 2007 issue, in which I put forward ideas, expectations, and wishful thinking for the country in year 2007. Here’s a review of some of the Nostradamus-like thoughts…”
Kazakhstan: Trial over President's Ex-Adviser Postponed Again
Steve LeVine reports that a U.S. court today pushed the foreign bribery case of James Giffen, former energy adviser to the Kazakhstan's leadership, into its fifth year. Giffen is accused of bribing the foreign officials, money laundering, wire fraud and tax evasion.
Kazakhstan: Nabucco Pipeline Lacks Commitments
Steve LeVine notes that this week's Washington appearance of Valekh Aleskerov, Azerbaijan's former chief oil negotiator, highlighted the absence thus far of concrete commitments by Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to a prospective Trans-Caspian gas pipeline.
China: Free Music Deal
Fons from China Herald blogs about the deal between EMI and Baidu on free internet music service.
Barbados: Intensive Gardening
Gallimaufry thinks “it would…be a good idea…to encourage the practice of intensive gardening” to help combat the higher cost of living.
Bahamas: The Point of the Press
After a merger of two major media houses in the Bahamas, Nicolette Bethel says “we appear to live in a country where freedom of the press may be a moot point. The fact is that whether the press is free or not, it appears uninclined (or unable) to carry out...
China: Government Subsidy for China Petro
Izaobao wonders why Sinopec and China pectro are asking for government subsidy, on the other hand, investors are gaining huge amount of dividend from the companies profit (zh).
Tajikistan: Aluminum & Brass
Bboyd reports that Tajikistan’s aluminum company Talco is having commercial relationship with Norway’s Hydro. He notes that although it is good that Tajikistan has a commodity that could fund some serious domestic development, but, unfortunately, corruption and switched contracts are turning this potential cash cow into mincemeat.
Russia: Oka, the Car
The Turkish Invasion writes about Oka car: “In Moscow, Oka cars are widely used by pizza delivery (since it is basically warmer than driving a bike in winter) and only a handful of enthusiasts remain who continue driving this car (Many Russians prefer taking easy bank loans and drive luxury...
Russia: Labels and Comparisons
A discussion of labels, comparisons and various development models that could be applied to Russia and its leaders – at Sean's Russia Blog.
