Stories about Economics & Business from April, 2009
Global Recession: The world is talking. Are we listening?
There is no lack of online articles about the various aspects of the global economic crisis. Many of them are written by economic experts and policymakers. What about the perspectives of ordinary bloggers? This global roundup of blogs gathers stories of people around the world who are struggling to survive the economic downturn.
Bangladesh: A Change Is Coming
Mahfuz Sadique has high hopes for the silent majority Bangladeshi people: “those who were mere witnesses of their fate and fortune till now will not wait for things to change...
Zimbabwe: Was the ministerial retreat necessary?
Zimbabwe coalition government officials went for a Ministerial Retereat recently at Victoria Falls whose aim was for them to come up with a 100 day Action Plan for the implementation of the Short Term Emergency Economic Recovery Programme (STERP). Was the retreat a waste of public money or a necessary step in healing the nation?
Caribbean: 5th Summit Begins
As the heads of member states of the Fifth Summit of the Americas gather today in Trinidad and Tobago, bloggers Caribbean-wide are eager to discuss the pros and cons of the event.
Morocco: Transport Strikes Leaves Morocco Crippled
Over the past week, a taxi strike across Morocco has left the country nearly immobile. Although Morocco has a decent train system and network of buses, many Moroccans - particularly in rural areas - rely on grande taxis to get from town to town, or to larger towns where they can then catch a bus. Peace Corps volunteers, who make up a large segment of English language blogs from Morocco, were particularly affected, as many of them live in towns that are not accessible by bus.
Guyana: CLICO Judicial Manager Shot
News broke yesterday that Insurance Commissioner Maria van Beek, who also happens to be the woman in charge of dissolving failed conglomerate CLICO Guyana, was shot yesterday in Georgetown. Bloggers have been trying to make sense of the attempted murder...
Haiti: Mounting Tensions
The Haitian Blogger identifies what he calls “the Forces aligned against Haiti's political, agricultural and economical sovereignty”, while My Life, an Open Book… is concerned about the mounting tension on...
Bermuda: National Debt
When Vexed Bermoothes learns that Bermuda's national debt currently works out to about $58,000 per person, he suggests putting “a National Debt Clock in front of the Cabinet Office, just...
Global Recession: “Underdevelopment is a mixed blessing”
There are governments which insist that their countries are not affected by the global economic crisis. Most of the time they are not convincing; and their constituents do not believe in the supposed improvement of the economy. Countries with very small economies and countries which are not globally-integrated are usually the same countries which claim that the financial crisis has not affected them so far.
Japan: Crisis Vocabulary
Adamu from Mutantfrog Travelogue collects and explains a list of Japanese vocabulary for describing the financial crisis.
Taiwan: Integration with South China
Michael Turton from the View from Taiwan comments on the SCMP's report on Taichung Mayor Jason Hu's proposal calling for a further integration with South China, including Hong Kong with...
Taiwan: If You Lost Your Job…
What would you feel if you are fired, your small business goes bankrupt, or you simply cannot find any way to make a living? In this most disastrous moment of economic downturn, many Taiwanese are losing their jobs and helplessly waiting for for all the dreadful news to stop. Some begin to blame themselves for being unemployed.
Haiti: Donor's Conference
“When it comes to development, it is not a one day conference that matters most but long-term engagement”: Haiti Innovation reviews the recently concluded Haiti Donors Conference, while Haiti, Land...
Brazil: Does the country play a new role in the world?
Brazilian blogs could not stop talking about the way President Barack Obama treated President Lula President in their third meeting at the G-20 Summit in London. Being called "the guy" by the US President, Lula shows the new status of the country and gives everyone a reason for pride, although some bloggers remind us that the main point of the meeting was how the worldwide leaders are going to tackle the economical downturn.
Thailand: Extended holiday
The government of Thailand extended the country’s traditional New Year holiday festivities for public safety in case the Red Shirt protesters organize a new round of protests.
Americas: Eye on the Summit
As the much-anticipated opening of the Fifth Summit of the Americas - which will see 34 Western Hemisphere leaders coming together to discuss issues related to human prosperity, environmental sustainability and energy security, not to mention the global financial crisis - fast approaches, regional bloggers continue to closely monitor developments.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Play Ball
“The ball is in Cuba’s court after Obama threw it yesterday, as he announced new flexibility in his policies toward Cuba”: From Havana, Generation Y says: “The game would become...
Barbados: Reputation & Governance
Barbados has hired a Canadian company to transform the Barbados Stock Exchange into an international one, but in light of existing integrity and freedom of information laws, Barbados Free Press...
Japan: New Publishing Models for Manga
Experimenting with new publishing models to overcome the decline of manga magazines, Shuho Sato has announced that he will be posting updates of “Say Hello to Black Jack (Sequel) –...
Mexico: Controversy Over Burger King Advertisement
The Unapologetic Mexican thinks that the controversy around a recent Burger King advertising campaign should be targeted at how Mexicans are being portrayed, rather than the criticism of how the...
Poland: Discount Tickets for Foreign Kids
Travels Without My Spaniel wishes it was possible for foreigners to buy their kids discounted train tickets in Poland.
