Vietnam was one of the few Asian countries that did not experience an economic contraction during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021. This year,Vietnam's GDP is expected to grow by around 5.5%, according to the World Bank.
Vietnam's economic performance during and after the pandemic has captured the attention of some major European firms.
German automotive supplier Brose, which has 11 factories in China, is currently deciding between Thailand and Vietnam for a new production location.
Read more at:
Why more European firms are choosing Vietnam over China | Asia | An in-depth look at news from across the continent | DW | 08.06.2022
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
4/17/22
Russia: New laws aim to crush even mild forms of protest in Russia
Russia has become increasingly ruthless in its crackdown of anti-war dissent with more arrests, police barging into public events and even arresting people simply for talking to foreign outlets. 2:28
In the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Marat Grachev and his staff at his computer repair store in Moscow discussed how to voice their opposition in an environment where any dissent is silenced.
Grachev, 35, thought taking to the streets seemed futile, as demonstrators were being dragged away by the police moments after brandishing signs.
Read more at: New laws aim to crush even mild forms of protest in Russia | CBC News
In the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Marat Grachev and his staff at his computer repair store in Moscow discussed how to voice their opposition in an environment where any dissent is silenced.
Grachev, 35, thought taking to the streets seemed futile, as demonstrators were being dragged away by the police moments after brandishing signs.
Read more at: New laws aim to crush even mild forms of protest in Russia | CBC News
3/2/22
USA INC. -Illinois businessman admits swindling hospital out of $2.5 million for N95 masks — and using it to buy Maseratis, pay credit-card bills - by Lukas Alpert
An Illinois businessman pleaded guilty to ripping off a hospital to the tune of $2.5 million by offering to sell it high-grade surgical masks, but not delivering and then using the money to buy Maseratis and a Range Rover.
Dennis Haggerty, Jr., of Burr Ridge, Ill., was accused of setting up a company, At Diagnostics, Inc., just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning in March 2020, to sell N95 respirator masks.An Illinois businessman pleaded guilty to ripping off a hospital to the tune of $2.5 million by offering to sell it high-grade surgical masks, but not delivering and then using the money to buy Maseratis and a Range Rover.
Dennis Haggerty, Jr., of Burr Ridge, Ill., was accused of setting up a company, At Diagnostics, Inc., just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning in March 2020, to sell N95 respirator masks.
Read more at: Illinois businessman admits swindling hospital out of $2.5 million for N95 masks — and using it to buy Maseratis, pay credit-card bills - MarketWatch
Dennis Haggerty, Jr., of Burr Ridge, Ill., was accused of setting up a company, At Diagnostics, Inc., just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning in March 2020, to sell N95 respirator masks.An Illinois businessman pleaded guilty to ripping off a hospital to the tune of $2.5 million by offering to sell it high-grade surgical masks, but not delivering and then using the money to buy Maseratis and a Range Rover.
Dennis Haggerty, Jr., of Burr Ridge, Ill., was accused of setting up a company, At Diagnostics, Inc., just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning in March 2020, to sell N95 respirator masks.
Read more at: Illinois businessman admits swindling hospital out of $2.5 million for N95 masks — and using it to buy Maseratis, pay credit-card bills - MarketWatch
4/16/19
The Netherlands : Large number of tourists causing Amsterdam floating flower market closure
Amsterdam's last floating florist closes, blaming tourists
Read more at:
9/15/18
European Business: Top 10 biggest companies in Europe by revenue - by Harry Menear
10. BNP Paribas - $109bn
9. Allianz – $122.2bn
8. Total - $127.93bn
7. AXA - $143.7bn
6. Exor Group - $154.9bn
5. Daimler - $169.5bn
4. Glencore Plc - $173.9bn
3. British Petroleum (BP) - $186.61bn
2. Royal Dutch Shell - $240.03bn
1. Volkswagen - $240.4bn
Read more: Top 10 biggest companies in Europe by revenue | Top 10 | Business Chief Europe
9. Allianz – $122.2bn
8. Total - $127.93bn
7. AXA - $143.7bn
6. Exor Group - $154.9bn
5. Daimler - $169.5bn
4. Glencore Plc - $173.9bn
3. British Petroleum (BP) - $186.61bn
2. Royal Dutch Shell - $240.03bn
1. Volkswagen - $240.4bn
Read more: Top 10 biggest companies in Europe by revenue | Top 10 | Business Chief Europe
8/29/18
EU Economy: US withdrawal from Iran deal is good for Europe - by Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata
Under
the Trump administration the US has, to say the least, been acting
erratically on the world stage. The current uncertainty over trade
relations between Europe and the US, as well as Trump’s posturing on
NATO, have left many questioning the Atlantic alliance, and whether the
interests of the US and Europe have now truly diverged.
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the EU can no longer rely on the US for its security, and must pursue its own security policy to protect its interests.
One area, however, where Trump’s new policies have been aligned with European interests is in his policy on Iran. Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, promises to do more to protect the security of Europe than almost any decision made by Europe’s own political leaders this year.
Saying that the US’s withdrawal from the deal is in Europe’s best interest may seem strange considering how it has been reported in the media and the negative reaction of many of the EU’s political leaders. Trump’s decision was presented as reckless and highly risky, an impulsive move which jeopardises relations with Iran and increases the risks of the regime deciding to pursue a nuclear agenda.
The deal has clearly benefited private commercial interests within Europe: companies such as Airbus, Allianz and Total were quick to take advantage of the economic opportunities provided by the opening up of the Iranian market. It is not at all clear, however, how much European citizens have benefited economically from the deal, and it is impossible to see any benefit which compensates them for the security risk they have to shoulder.
The second justification, that the deal will in some way ‘Westernise’ Iran, is completely wrong-headed, and is based on a now outdated view of geopolitics. Autocratic regimes around the globe have demonstrated that it is possible to import Western goods and profit from Western trade without importing Western values. European goods can be bought in the absence of European democracy.
The narrative that the Iran deal is in the interests of Europe and that reimposing sanctions will be harmful seems only therefore to serve the interests of private companies looking to expand their business dealings in the country.
The companies who have profited from the deal, and who were well aware of the risks of doing business in Iran when they entered the market, are now crying out for protection and further economic benefit from Europe. As if profiting at the cost of European security was not enough, these companies now want the EU to foot the bill for their misadventures in the country.
Giving in to these demands is not the right course of action for Europe. The prospect of a nuclear Iran is Europe’s problem first and foremost. Three years after the JCPOA was signed, we can see that this was not the right way to deal with this problem. A new arrangement, one which places the security of European citizens as its top priority, should be the top priority for European leaders like Macron who believe that Europe should take more responsibility for its own security.
Read more: US withdrawal from Iran deal is good for Europe | View | Euronews
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the EU can no longer rely on the US for its security, and must pursue its own security policy to protect its interests.
One area, however, where Trump’s new policies have been aligned with European interests is in his policy on Iran. Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, promises to do more to protect the security of Europe than almost any decision made by Europe’s own political leaders this year.
Saying that the US’s withdrawal from the deal is in Europe’s best interest may seem strange considering how it has been reported in the media and the negative reaction of many of the EU’s political leaders. Trump’s decision was presented as reckless and highly risky, an impulsive move which jeopardises relations with Iran and increases the risks of the regime deciding to pursue a nuclear agenda.
The deal has clearly benefited private commercial interests within Europe: companies such as Airbus, Allianz and Total were quick to take advantage of the economic opportunities provided by the opening up of the Iranian market. It is not at all clear, however, how much European citizens have benefited economically from the deal, and it is impossible to see any benefit which compensates them for the security risk they have to shoulder.
The second justification, that the deal will in some way ‘Westernise’ Iran, is completely wrong-headed, and is based on a now outdated view of geopolitics. Autocratic regimes around the globe have demonstrated that it is possible to import Western goods and profit from Western trade without importing Western values. European goods can be bought in the absence of European democracy.
The narrative that the Iran deal is in the interests of Europe and that reimposing sanctions will be harmful seems only therefore to serve the interests of private companies looking to expand their business dealings in the country.
The companies who have profited from the deal, and who were well aware of the risks of doing business in Iran when they entered the market, are now crying out for protection and further economic benefit from Europe. As if profiting at the cost of European security was not enough, these companies now want the EU to foot the bill for their misadventures in the country.
Giving in to these demands is not the right course of action for Europe. The prospect of a nuclear Iran is Europe’s problem first and foremost. Three years after the JCPOA was signed, we can see that this was not the right way to deal with this problem. A new arrangement, one which places the security of European citizens as its top priority, should be the top priority for European leaders like Macron who believe that Europe should take more responsibility for its own security.
Read more: US withdrawal from Iran deal is good for Europe | View | Euronews
4/17/18
Arms Industry: USA arming the world: Inside Trump's “Buy American” drive to expand weapons exports - by Matt Spetalnick and Mike Stone
In a telephone call with the emir of Kuwait in January, U.S.
President Donald Trump pressed the Gulf monarch to move forward on a $10
billion fighter jet deal that had been stalled for more than a year.
Trump was acting on behalf of Boeing Co, America’s second-largest defense contractor, which had become frustrated that a long-delayed sale critical to its military aircraft division was going nowhere, several people familiar with the matter said.
With this Oval Office intervention, the details of which have not been previously reported, Trump did something unusual for a U.S. president – he personally helped to close a major arms deal. In private phone calls and public appearances with world leaders, Trump has gone further than any of his predecessors to act as a salesman for the U.S. defense industry, analysts said.
Read more: Arming the world: Inside Trump's “Buy American” drive to expand weapons exports
Trump was acting on behalf of Boeing Co, America’s second-largest defense contractor, which had become frustrated that a long-delayed sale critical to its military aircraft division was going nowhere, several people familiar with the matter said.
With this Oval Office intervention, the details of which have not been previously reported, Trump did something unusual for a U.S. president – he personally helped to close a major arms deal. In private phone calls and public appearances with world leaders, Trump has gone further than any of his predecessors to act as a salesman for the U.S. defense industry, analysts said.
Read more: Arming the world: Inside Trump's “Buy American” drive to expand weapons exports
7/2/17
Brexit Britain: falling pound, border fears and a frightened workforce
A year after Britain voted to leave the EU the pound is at least ten
percent weaker, the economy is shaky and may be headed for a downturn
and Theresa May’s minority government is weak after losing its majority in parliament after June’s general election.
There’s also the worrying possibility that a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland could unravel the Good Friday Peace Agreement.
The uncertainty is infectious.
In her first policy position after the two year long Brexit negotiations started earlier this month, May set out her plan for the rights of the three million or so EU citizens living in the UK. They will only qualify for “settled” status after five consecutive years living in Britain.
But this has not gone far enough to reassure many EU officials including Guy Verhofstadt, the Brexit co-ordinator for the European Parliament.
A report by the consultancy firm Deloitte released on June 27th suggests that 47 percent of highly skilled EU workers are now considering leaving Britain.
One of them is Joana Ferreira, a dentist who works in a private practice on the outskirts of London, and who arrived from Portugal four and a half years ago.
“I’m just worried about the living conditions, really,” said Ferreira. “Am I going to be able to work? Am I going to get a normal salary, like everyone? Am I going to be kicked out of the country? I don’t know, nobody knows!”
Joana and her husband have a three year old daughter who was born in Britain and they had planned for her to grow up in the country.
“I just feel very insecure of what’s going to happen in the future. I really want to know more so I can plan. Because at the moment, I cannot plan anything in my life,” she said.
Joana’s employer Smita Mehra, the managing director of The Neem Tree practice, is also worried as 60 percent of the staff at the four practices she manages are non-British EU nationals.
Read more: Brexit Britain: falling pound, border fears and a frightened workforce | Euronews
There’s also the worrying possibility that a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland could unravel the Good Friday Peace Agreement.
The uncertainty is infectious.
In her first policy position after the two year long Brexit negotiations started earlier this month, May set out her plan for the rights of the three million or so EU citizens living in the UK. They will only qualify for “settled” status after five consecutive years living in Britain.
But this has not gone far enough to reassure many EU officials including Guy Verhofstadt, the Brexit co-ordinator for the European Parliament.
A report by the consultancy firm Deloitte released on June 27th suggests that 47 percent of highly skilled EU workers are now considering leaving Britain.
One of them is Joana Ferreira, a dentist who works in a private practice on the outskirts of London, and who arrived from Portugal four and a half years ago.
“I’m just worried about the living conditions, really,” said Ferreira. “Am I going to be able to work? Am I going to get a normal salary, like everyone? Am I going to be kicked out of the country? I don’t know, nobody knows!”
Joana and her husband have a three year old daughter who was born in Britain and they had planned for her to grow up in the country.
“I just feel very insecure of what’s going to happen in the future. I really want to know more so I can plan. Because at the moment, I cannot plan anything in my life,” she said.
Joana’s employer Smita Mehra, the managing director of The Neem Tree practice, is also worried as 60 percent of the staff at the four practices she manages are non-British EU nationals.
Read more: Brexit Britain: falling pound, border fears and a frightened workforce | Euronews
2/10/15
USA: Valentine’s Day has become a two-week marketing affair
California Pizza Kitchen is offering a “Sweet Deal for 2,” with two entrées and a dessert for $32. On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, the chain is offering a “What We Do For Love” sweepstakes that invites followers to share photos showing the crazy things they do for love, with the hashtag #CPKLoveSweeps. The winner could receive free California Pizza Kitchen menu items for a year.
Starbucks is kicking off the holiday on Feb. 13, with the World’s Largest Starbucks Date. Since so many members of Match.com list “coffee and conversation” as one of their interests, the coffeehouse chain is inviting members to arrange their first dates that day using a new “meet at Starbucks” feature on the dating website.
Special menu pairings, such as a Caffe Verona coffee press for two and a Double Chocolate Chunk Brownie, will be available for $5. Customers are encouraged to share their experiences on social media with the hashtag #StarbucksDate.
“There’s no better time to celebrate meaningful moments of connection and encourage new ones than during Valentine’s Day,” said Sharon Rothstein, Starbucks’ global chief marketing officer. “For more than 40 years, Starbucks has been a place to connect over a great cup of coffee.”
TGI Fridays is holding a Twitter sweepstakes that asks followers to share stories of how they met at one of its restaurants, with the hashtag #MyFridaysValentine. Daily winners could receive a $50 gift card for a date at a TGI Fridays, and one grand prize winner will receive a weekend getaway for two to Paris.
Dairy Queen is looking to raise the romance level with less cliché gifts. Rather than silly flowers (yawn) or jewelry (please), DQ suggests a heart-shaped Red Velvet Cake and a one-of-a-kind red spoon, which comes in a velvet jewelry box to make it extra classy.
EU-Digest
1/2/14
EU Economy: Entrepreneurs, not the government, will save Europe’s economy - by Dries Buytaert-
If Steve Jobs was adopted by a Belgian family rather than an American family, it’s extremely possible he may have ended up working in a bank instead of co-founding Apple.
Why? Because starting a company and growing it is hard no matter where you are, but the difficulty is magnified in Europe, where people are divided by geography, regulation, language and cultural prejudice.
While entrepreneurship and startups have spread tremendously in Europe, a lot of aspiring young entrepreneurs leave Europe for the United States. Very little will stop a true entrepreneur from trying to reach his or her goals, including uprooting their entire life and moving it across the ocean to optimize their chances of success. F
rom my interactions with them, the United States’ gravitational pull is only getting stronger.
So, what can Europe do about it?
Here are my three recommendations.
1. Focus on creating large companies
2. Level the playing field
3. Change our culture
It doesn’t mean Europe needs to give up its strong communal beliefs and its desire to look out for the greater good. I’m a firm believer that many modern businesses can “do well and do good.” Businesses that generate value for their shareholders and that also have a positive impact on the world go beyond generating profits.
Our world does not lack business opportunities; there are plenty of people with needs that aren’t met. Enabling entrepreneurship enables innovation, and innovation helps change the world.
The entrepreneurs that succeed in building large businesses, especially those that are aligned with fixing the world’s problems, will transform the lives of others for the better and introduce more opportunity on a global level.
Entrepreneurs, not the government, will change the world. It’s time for Europe to help their companies grow.
Read more: Entrepreneurs, not the government, will save Europe’s economy - The Next Web
Why? Because starting a company and growing it is hard no matter where you are, but the difficulty is magnified in Europe, where people are divided by geography, regulation, language and cultural prejudice.
While entrepreneurship and startups have spread tremendously in Europe, a lot of aspiring young entrepreneurs leave Europe for the United States. Very little will stop a true entrepreneur from trying to reach his or her goals, including uprooting their entire life and moving it across the ocean to optimize their chances of success. F
rom my interactions with them, the United States’ gravitational pull is only getting stronger.
So, what can Europe do about it?
Here are my three recommendations.
1. Focus on creating large companies
2. Level the playing field
3. Change our culture
It doesn’t mean Europe needs to give up its strong communal beliefs and its desire to look out for the greater good. I’m a firm believer that many modern businesses can “do well and do good.” Businesses that generate value for their shareholders and that also have a positive impact on the world go beyond generating profits.
Our world does not lack business opportunities; there are plenty of people with needs that aren’t met. Enabling entrepreneurship enables innovation, and innovation helps change the world.
The entrepreneurs that succeed in building large businesses, especially those that are aligned with fixing the world’s problems, will transform the lives of others for the better and introduce more opportunity on a global level.
Entrepreneurs, not the government, will change the world. It’s time for Europe to help their companies grow.
Read more: Entrepreneurs, not the government, will save Europe’s economy - The Next Web
10/28/13
Non Profits: Why I Think Nonprofits Should Act More Like Businesses - by Dan Pallotta
How would you react if you knew someone was getting wealthy in charity? How would you feel if you saw your favorite charity run a $3 million ad on the Superbowl using charitable donations to fund it? What would you think if a charity lost a million dollars on a brand new fundraising idea that flopped? Lastly, what if you learned that a charity had just paid an investor a 100 percent return on a loan?
These are the kinds of scenarios that make our blood boil with rage and the kinds of practices that give charities a bad name, right?
But what if we're wrong about all of it? What if the things that send us into a rage are actually the things it would take to end humanity's most vexing and extreme forms of suffering? And what if you are only being given half of the story?
These are the issues that have consumed me for the last 15 years and that were the subject of my closing talk at the 2013 TED conference.
Ask yourself how you would feel if you were given the whole story.
Suppose that the person getting wealthy in charity was worth it. Imagine, for example, that the Boys & Girls Clubs hires a leader that triples revenues in 8 years from half a billion annually to $1.5 billion annually. This allows the clubs to double the number of kids served. She gets a total compensation package of about $1 million annually. This is not a fairy tale. It really happened. And the Boys & Girls Clubs were criticized for it.
Is $1 million not a cheap price to pay for $1 billion in new revenues and double the kids served? Would we rather they hire a leader for a more modest $150,000 who is incapable of increasing revenues and serving more kids? Save $850,000 in salary expense and lose a billion dollars a year in revenue?
Read more: WATCH: Why I Think Nonprofits Should Act More Like Businesses | Dan Pallotta
These are the kinds of scenarios that make our blood boil with rage and the kinds of practices that give charities a bad name, right?
But what if we're wrong about all of it? What if the things that send us into a rage are actually the things it would take to end humanity's most vexing and extreme forms of suffering? And what if you are only being given half of the story?
These are the issues that have consumed me for the last 15 years and that were the subject of my closing talk at the 2013 TED conference.
Ask yourself how you would feel if you were given the whole story.
Suppose that the person getting wealthy in charity was worth it. Imagine, for example, that the Boys & Girls Clubs hires a leader that triples revenues in 8 years from half a billion annually to $1.5 billion annually. This allows the clubs to double the number of kids served. She gets a total compensation package of about $1 million annually. This is not a fairy tale. It really happened. And the Boys & Girls Clubs were criticized for it.
Is $1 million not a cheap price to pay for $1 billion in new revenues and double the kids served? Would we rather they hire a leader for a more modest $150,000 who is incapable of increasing revenues and serving more kids? Save $850,000 in salary expense and lose a billion dollars a year in revenue?
Read more: WATCH: Why I Think Nonprofits Should Act More Like Businesses | Dan Pallotta
10/25/13
Business Should Talk To Europe To Cut Red Tape?
It’s the time of the year when business leaders proclaim yet another ‘Cut Euro Red Tape’ campaign.
Different spokesmen for business queue up to say they want to see less regulation from Europe that they claim is holding back British business.
Different spokesmen for business queue up to say they want to see less regulation from Europe that they claim is holding back British business.
These are serious men who make serious money. Their view should not be dismissed. As North America and Asia grow strongly Europe does need to ask if every aspect of the way it regulates its economy adds or lessens growth. Europe does have a great number of regulations as do national administrations, professional bodies, regional employer federations and regulatory agencies. But as the more important business leaders troop into Downing Street to tell cabinet ministers what needs to be done they may be making the category error mistake of missionaries throughout the ages – that of preaching to the converted.
Like churches and third world NGOs arguing over the years that the Common Agricultural Policy did damage to third world farmers the UK’s preferred missionary position on EU reform almost always fails to provide satisfaction. The real targets for the CBI, EEF, Marc Bolland of Marks and Spencer, or Simon Walker of the Institute of Directors and other business bosses should be their fellow business leaders in Europe. Telling Iain Duncan Smith or Chris Grayling or Teresa May or the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail there is something wrong with Europe is preaching to the converted.
Oxfam, Cafod, Save the Children and other excellent campaigners against poverty in developing countries also wasted years of lobbying time telling each other how iniquitous EU trade policies were. They should have caught a flight to Dublin or the Eurostar to Paris to convert the churches and pro-poor lobbies in Ireland or France to call for an end to the CAP. That would have been real missionary work. Similarly, British business needs to find support in German or Dutch or Belgian employers circles for their views. Picking up a megaphone in London and hoping you will be heard in Brussels is a low-return option.
Business leaders also need to ask themselves some tough questions. The most obvious one is to ask why, if EU rules, are so destructive of business do so many competitor firms on the continent thrive on them? If it is EU regulations holding back Britain from competing in the world why are German, or Dutch or Swedish firms operating under the same rules able to export so much more than the UK does?
Read more: Business Should Talk To Europe To Cut Red Tape
9/22/13
US Poll: 50% Consumers and Investors Agree U.S. In Recession
According to a Rasmussen Poll fifty percent (50%) in the US, both consumers and investors, believe the country is in a recession. However, 30% of consumer and 37% of investors disagree.
Read more: Rasmussen Consumer Index - Rasmussen Reports™
Read more: Rasmussen Consumer Index - Rasmussen Reports™
7/16/13
Tourist and Business Travel: German minister calls for EU tourist entry application similar to US
Germany's interior minister called in a Sunday newspaper interview for the European Union to introduce tourist entry applications similar to a US program, in a measure that would primarily affect US travelers.
Hans-Peter Friedrich told the Welt am Sonntag that in the interest of security, the EU needed a similar procedure to the one the United States has imposed on travelers from countries with which it has visa-waiver deals.
He said authorities would review before a Europe-bound traveler boards a plane "whether someone is on a wanted list", mirroring the US program Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Friedrich, from the right wing of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Union bloc, called ESTA "straightforward to manage" and said such a program should be rolled out in the EU "as soon as possible".
He said the current $14 (10-euro) fee per person would be appropriate for the EU as well.
The US ESTA program requires travelers without a visa to supply their name, date of birth, address and credit card number to US authorities online before embarking on a trip to the country.-
Note EU-Digest: Excellent idea. Presently EU citizens provide all their private and personal information to US immigration services, including the taking of fingerprints and a picture on arrival in the US, so why can't the EU do the same for US and other tourists and business travelers?
Read more: German minister calls for EU tourist entry application | The New Age Online
Hans-Peter Friedrich told the Welt am Sonntag that in the interest of security, the EU needed a similar procedure to the one the United States has imposed on travelers from countries with which it has visa-waiver deals.
He said authorities would review before a Europe-bound traveler boards a plane "whether someone is on a wanted list", mirroring the US program Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Friedrich, from the right wing of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Union bloc, called ESTA "straightforward to manage" and said such a program should be rolled out in the EU "as soon as possible".
He said the current $14 (10-euro) fee per person would be appropriate for the EU as well.
The US ESTA program requires travelers without a visa to supply their name, date of birth, address and credit card number to US authorities online before embarking on a trip to the country.-
Note EU-Digest: Excellent idea. Presently EU citizens provide all their private and personal information to US immigration services, including the taking of fingerprints and a picture on arrival in the US, so why can't the EU do the same for US and other tourists and business travelers?
Read more: German minister calls for EU tourist entry application | The New Age Online
3/6/13
Trade is the name of the game for both the EU and US to beat unemployment
The U.S. economic relationship with the EU is the largest and most complex in the world, generating goods and services trade flows of about $2.7 billion a day [2012 estimate] and transatlantic investment is directly responsible for roughly 6.8 million jobs [2010 estimate]. This enormous volume of transatlantic trade and investment promotes economic prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic
As an example, just take the state of Maine, even though other regions such as Asia often grab the limelight when Mainers discuss global markets, Europe remains vitally important for Maine's economy.
In 2011, Maine companies sold over $400 million in goods and services to European customers, ranking the EU-27 as Maine’s third largest export market after Canada and Malaysia. In addition, European companies are the second largest source of foreign investment in Maine, employing thousands of Mainers in their businesses.
The EU and US recently began formal talks on a far fedging and employment creating "Super Trans-Atlantic-Trade-Deal ", which will have a profound influence on global trading rules.
The magnitude of this endeavor is illustrated by the fact that both economies represent one-half of world production, with trade among themselves amounting to one-third of all world trade.
Tariff reduction won't be the most complex issue in these negotiations, because average tariffs are already low, at around 3 percent. Rather, the complexity of the negotiations resides in the abolition of non-tariff trade barriers, such as subsidies to agriculture, or in the conciliation of environmental or antitrust regulations.
Even so, the objective is to complete the negotiations by the end of 2014.
EU-Digest
As an example, just take the state of Maine, even though other regions such as Asia often grab the limelight when Mainers discuss global markets, Europe remains vitally important for Maine's economy.
In 2011, Maine companies sold over $400 million in goods and services to European customers, ranking the EU-27 as Maine’s third largest export market after Canada and Malaysia. In addition, European companies are the second largest source of foreign investment in Maine, employing thousands of Mainers in their businesses.
The EU and US recently began formal talks on a far fedging and employment creating "Super Trans-Atlantic-Trade-Deal ", which will have a profound influence on global trading rules.
The magnitude of this endeavor is illustrated by the fact that both economies represent one-half of world production, with trade among themselves amounting to one-third of all world trade.
Tariff reduction won't be the most complex issue in these negotiations, because average tariffs are already low, at around 3 percent. Rather, the complexity of the negotiations resides in the abolition of non-tariff trade barriers, such as subsidies to agriculture, or in the conciliation of environmental or antitrust regulations.
Even so, the objective is to complete the negotiations by the end of 2014.
EU-Digest
1/31/13
The Cooperative Movement - On The Rise Around The World
A cooperative is a business, not some kind of Communist egalitarian invention. Co-ops range in size from small store-fronts to large Fortune 500 companies. In many ways, they're like any other business; but in several important ways they're unique and different.
The cooperative movement is on the rise, but Government support is essential for the cooperative movement’s progress. In Italy, for example, the movement is enshrined under Article 45 of the 1947 Italian Constitution and the Basevi Law of 1947, which, “provided co-ops with special tax treatment to encourage their self-capitalization and by creating the concept of ‘indivisible reserves’ for the benefit of all (i.e., future generations of employees and the community).”
Unfortunately still the most difficult barrier of all for the cooperative movement to be accepted is the widely publicized myth that corporate or individual-focused capitalism is the only feasible business method out there.
Today cooperatives are one of the most important and alternate solutions to the abusive and out-of-touch corporate pyramid system that places a few at the top and the majority at the very bottom.
Fortunately the signs and sounds that people want a different and more fair economic system are becoming louder every day around the world.
Yes indeed, change is in the air when it comes to a new and fair way of doing business – even in the United States, the powerhouse of traditional capitalism.
One of the many reasons why co-ops are becoming more and more popular is also because today people spend so much more of their lives, energy and focus as uninvolved workers, rather than as active and participating shareholders.
When you join a co-operative, the main attraction is its democratic participative nature. What this means is that the people that work in a business or factory, set-up as a cooperative, also own it and are motivated not by profit, but by service-to meet their members’ needs and to provide affordable and high quality goods or services; elect their own board of directors from within the membership, who take the decisions; share the profits and obviously also the losses; pay taxes on income kept within the co-op for investment and reserves. Surplus revenues from the co-op are returned to individual members who pay taxes on that income.
Cooperatives can also also be highly effective and profitable in providing rural services and needs, such as: electricity, telecommunications, credit and financial services, housing, food, hardware and building supplies.
It certainly is an idea whose time has come.
8/24/12
Leadership tips from villains, megalomaniacs, and innovators
Genghis Khan: Use technology: the Mongol horde from the beginning of their invasion of China to the control of all of Eurasia were essentially two different armies. The first had excellent horsemanship and bows ahead of their time, allowing them to overwhelm enemies in open combat. The latter was a military melting pot with Chinese siege craft, Persian engineering and the best combat techniques from all the peoples they conquered.
The Mongols were quick to integrate, adapt and adopt the new technologies they encountered. This opportunistic adoption of new technology and techniques is equally important in the corporate world. Since the computer, technology has become a vital part of every manager’s job. Being open to it and looking for ways to use it more efficiently will save time for you and your direct reports. Genghis Khan also taught us that a pyramid of severed heads is an excellent negotiating tool, but that’s an approach best kept out of the office.
The Mongols were quick to integrate, adapt and adopt the new technologies they encountered. This opportunistic adoption of new technology and techniques is equally important in the corporate world. Since the computer, technology has become a vital part of every manager’s job. Being open to it and looking for ways to use it more efficiently will save time for you and your direct reports. Genghis Khan also taught us that a pyramid of severed heads is an excellent negotiating tool, but that’s an approach best kept out of the office.
Read more: Leadership tips from villains, megalomaniacs, and innovators - The Globe and Mail
8/6/12
Business: Wait a sec – your decision will be better for it - by Harvey Schachter
From the tennis court to the board room, patience helps. That’s the conclusion drawn by Frank Portnoy, a procrastinator who decided to explore whether that trait was hurting him; and by actor/writer John Cleese, of Monty Python fame, who now counsels executives.
At this year’s Cannes International Festival of Creativity, Mr. Cleese offered four lessons in creativity, as Rae Ann Fera reports at FastCoCreate.com. In his June presentation, Mr. Cleese talked about Sussex University Professor Brian Bates, who compared the work practices of the most creative and least creative architects, and found the former more willing to defer decisions as long as they could.
“If you have a decision to make, what is the single most important question to ask yourself?” Mr. Cleese told the audience. “I believe it’s ‘When does this decision have to be made?’ When most of us have a problem that’s a little bit unresolved, we’re a little bit uncomfortable. We want to resolve it. The creative architects had this tolerance for this discomfort we all feel when we leave things unresolved.”
Read more: Wait a sec – your decision will be better for it - The Globe and Mail
At this year’s Cannes International Festival of Creativity, Mr. Cleese offered four lessons in creativity, as Rae Ann Fera reports at FastCoCreate.com. In his June presentation, Mr. Cleese talked about Sussex University Professor Brian Bates, who compared the work practices of the most creative and least creative architects, and found the former more willing to defer decisions as long as they could.
“If you have a decision to make, what is the single most important question to ask yourself?” Mr. Cleese told the audience. “I believe it’s ‘When does this decision have to be made?’ When most of us have a problem that’s a little bit unresolved, we’re a little bit uncomfortable. We want to resolve it. The creative architects had this tolerance for this discomfort we all feel when we leave things unresolved.”
Read more: Wait a sec – your decision will be better for it - The Globe and Mail
5/12/12
Politics is the best business money can buy: Tainted Sinkholes Of Fraud - Max Keiser
When political representatives are beholden to their sponsors, they are obliged to them in the form of; ‘Pay-Back”…For every $Dollar of campaign funds donated, a minimum of $100 in pay-back is expected. Politics is the best business money can buy!
To view the program :[KR280] Keiser Report: Tainted Sinkholes Of Fraud - Max Keiser
To view the program :[KR280] Keiser Report: Tainted Sinkholes Of Fraud - Max Keiser
7/15/08
APP.Com: New Jersey Lakewood company buys Dutch partner in Almere, Holland
For the complete report from APP.Com click on this link
New Jersey Lakewood company buys Dutch partner in Almere, Holland
Component Hardware Group, a Lakewood-based company that manufactures plumbing and hardware products, has acquired CHG-Europe in Almere, Netherlands, for an undisclosed amount, company officials said Thursday. The acquisition is expected to give Component Hardware a sales office and distribution center to sell its products throughout Europe. The two companies previously worked together through a joint venture.
Component Hardware is known in the industry for making bacteria-fighting products for commercial buildings and health-care providers.
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