Few foreigners had heard of Thai rebel commander Na Kham Mwe, yet he was among the country's 25 Most Wanted http://t.co/zBIVycfp
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The Return of Investment Policy – The U.S. Is Back in the Game
Foreign investment policy hasn’t been the main focus of the U.S. government in recent years. However, this may begin to change and industry leaders should not stay behind. Inconsistent and fragmented U.S. government decisions have made it difficult for foreign investors in the U.S. to make critical investment decisions. The primary focus on trade policies, [...]
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Local or Global? The New Wave of Sovereign Funds
Several countries announced recently their respective plans to establish a sovereign fund to better manage their national wealth. This trend is quite strong in Latin America and Africa, where several nations face a new commodities boom. Even Israel announced a new sovereign fund based on its newly discovered off-shore natural gas. These announcements immediately caused [...]
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Let’s Talk about Trade
Trade policies are not a sexy business. Customs, anti-dumping, subsidies are just some of the concepts international investors are trying to avoid. Yet, recent weeks reminded all of us that trade can make headlines. And make or break industries around the globe. The subsidies to the aerospace industry in the EU and USA, the limitations [...]
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Where Is the Burning Man Heading?
As the Middle East and the world mark a year to the Arab Spring, reflections are divided. Some argue that the Arab Spring and its achievements belong with the pantheon of global revolutionary movements, such as the collapse of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany. Others, on the other hand, argue that it [...]
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Catching Mice and the Chinese Economy Through Western Eyes
It seems as though the more we know, the more interconnectivity there is, the less we understand. Just ask those who deal with China. I had the pleasure of attending several global conferences recently where people were quite fascinated by the role of the Chinese economy in global markets in light of current economic challenges. [...]
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The Arab Winter and Investment Stability
The Arab Spring presented investors with unique investment opportunities and participation in the process of re-building North-African nations. Transitional justice and political change have been historically known for bringing forth foreign investment players who can shape these emerging economies despite the political and regulatory risks. And these risks do exist. Surprisingly, however, some nations portray [...]
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Global Trade – Not What You Think
As Congress approved three Free Trade Agreements (also known as Trade Pacts) with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia, I get the impression that there are two leading narratives. The first, this approval is driven mainly by internal political forces, the need to build coalitions around ‘currency wars’ legislation and the Jobs Act. The second, the [...]
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Libya’s Shadow on Sovereign Wealth Funds
As Libya’s citizens rebuild their lives and economy, undoing the corruption in the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), the sovereign wealth fund in which Muammar el-Qaddafi’s regime allegedly stashed and misused Libya’s oil wealth, is becoming a priority. The National Transitional Council is debating who should take over Libya’s Central Bank and the LIA’s assets – an [...]
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The United Nations and Global Markets – Understanding the Scene
It is hard to underestimate the power of the United Nations as a global institution this month when more than 100 heads of states and thousands of dignitaries gathering in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly annual meeting and other satellite events. The stakes are high. Officials from all over the world [...]
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A Gold(en) Opportunity? The State Is Back
The rush to gold as a safe haven has triggered endless articles and comments on the soft, shiny metal, its nature, and its value limits. How high? How low? Clearly, the discussion has been dominated by demand for gold in times of inflation and rising uncertainty. The supply, however, deserves its own attention. Not only [...]
