EIU Country Analysis

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE When Bernard Van Goethem told a neighbour that he works as a veterinarian at the European Commission, the neighbour assumed his job involved vaccinating Commission officials#; pets. It is a misconception some distance from reality. As director

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE French President Nicolas Sarkozy has his critics - there are those who complain about his attempts to hijack the EU agenda with back-of-envelope projects, and still more who object to his bouts of nationalist posturing and

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE Jim Brunsden The development of a single euro payments area (SEPA) presents a paradox for the European Commission. Whereas developing the EU#;s single market is usually seen as good for competition, both the Commission and the

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE Jim Brunsden MEPs will meet representatives of the EU#;s national governments next week in a bid to salvage legislative proposals to reform the regulation of telecoms. After two readings of the proposed reforms, the European Parliament

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE Veronika Szente Goldston In a move that defies logic, EU foreign ministers this week scrapped the EU#;s one remaining sanction against Uzbekistan - a purely symbolic embargo on arms sales - despite Tashkent#;s defiance of the human

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE Toby Vogel European Union leaders will meet US President Barack Obama and senior members of his administration in Washington next week to discuss Iran#;s nuclear ambitions and the fight against global warming. Fredrik Reinfeldt, the prime

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE Simon Taylor The leaders of the EU#;s national governments are to endorse the broad outlines of the future EU diplomatic service during a summit in Brussels today and tomorrow (##-## October). They are also expected

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE Jim Brunsden The European Commission this week signalled its determination to demand tough restructuring measures from banks that have received large amounts of state aid during the financial crisis. The Commission announced yesterday (## October) that it

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE Toby Vogel Croatia has less of a culture of corruption than some old EU member states, according to its justice minister. "At the moment there is no one in Croatia who could feel safe being involved in

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE MEPs will meet representatives of the EU#;s national governments next week in a bid to salvage legislative proposals to reform the regulation of telecoms. After two readings of the proposed reforms, the European Parliament and the

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso#;s call last week for governments to nominate women to the next Commission has fuelled speculation that Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, currently an Irish member of the European Court of Auditors, is about

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE When Bernard Van Goethem told a neighbour that he works as a veterinarian at the European Commission, the neighbour assumed his job involved vaccinating Commission officials#; pets. It is a misconception some distance from reality. As director

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The following is an extract from our full Consumer Goods and Retail Report for this country Most consumer goods industries are underdeveloped, having attracted little substantial foreign direct investment (FDI). Few major foreign companies have

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The following is an extract from our full Consumer Goods and Retail Report for this country Despite several years of rapid growth and some signs of greater consolidation, the retail market in Ukraine remains highly

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT With a population of ##m in ####, Ukraine boasts the second-largest population among the former Eastern bloc states after Russia. It is one of the largest markets in the region, with the overall retail

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The following is an extract from our full Consumer Goods and Retail Report for this country Exports of goods and services accounted for an estimated ##% of GDP in ####, and imports of goods and

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The following is an extract from our full Consumer Goods and Retail Report for this country The agricultural sector contributed an estimated #.#% to GDP in #### and employs around one-third of the

Industry Report Consumer goods and retail Ukraine October #### Economist Intelligence Unit ## Red Lion Square London WC#R #HQ United Kingdom Economist Intelligence Unit The Economist Intelligence Unit is a specialist publisher serving companies establishing and managing operations across national

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT India#;s wholesale prices rose by #.#% year on year in the week to October ##th, which is faster than the #.#% increase of the preceding week. Wholesale prices have now risen for

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Mexico#;s recession appears to be bottoming out: economic activity fell by #.#% year on year in August, matching the rate of contraction seen in July. Unadjusted data from INEGI, the national statistics institute

FROM KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT Much like an architectural blueprint, a firm#;s organizational chart can reveal important insights into the inner workings of the firm. Managers, analysts, and consultants can easily glean information about the structure--and even draw

FROM RICHARD IVEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Building an enduring trust is arguably a leader#;s most delicate and complicated task. And task is more important. Unlikely as it seems, the example of how trust was created between an economist and

FROM KNOWLEDGE@WHARTON In this audio, recorded in October ####, Wharton faculty say Netflix is successfully embracing the future as the movie industry faces turmoil. Play audio To listen to this audio download Audio summary In a year when DVD

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The annual rate of inflation in South Africa hit a two-year low of #.#% in September, easing from #.#% a month earlier. The goods index rose by #% year on year, matching

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT OVERALL ASSESSMENT Some economic reforms since the early ####s have reduced operating risks. However, the reforms have often been piecemeal or diluted, and major areas of weaknesses remain. The main ones are government effectiveness, the

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Economic events and changing industry trends have caused many companies (and even entire industries) to rethink their business models and strategic plans. But too often, strategic planning lapses into meaningless goal setting, getting better at

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Mexico#;s merchandise trade deficit declined to US$#.#bn in September from US$#.#bn a year earlier, as exports posted their smallest drop for ten months. However, the contraction remains sharp, with merchandise

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT OVERALL ASSESSMENT The rule of the Al Saud family is likely to continue in the absence of strong opposition movements. Nonetheless, there are risks stemming from what is believed to be widespread public discontent with

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT OVERALL ASSESSMENT Hungary#;s low operations risk reflects a secure environment for business and continued efforts to harmonise the operating environment with that of Western Europe. However, Hungary was the first country in eastern Europe

FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO BOOTH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS How Customers Influence the Evolution of New Products Paying attention to how customers use a new product can help companies become more successful in the marketplace. How customers use a technology

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The Egyptian government is conducting a quasi-military mobilisation of resources to address the threat posed by the swine flu pandemic, caused by the H#N# virus. The measures taken have included delaying the start of

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The US economy emerged from a deep recession in the third quarter of ####, with GDP rising by an annualised #.#% after four consecutive quarters of contraction. Personal consumption expenditure rose by #.#

FROM KNOWLEDGE@SMU The deal was supposed to be a high point for foreign capital investing in China. On one hand was The Carlyle Group, the world#;s largest private equity firm, eager to put its billions in capital to

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The annual rate of inflation in South Africa hit a two-year low of #.#% in September, easing from #.#% a month earlier. The goods index rose by #% year on year, matching

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The US economy emerged from a deep recession in the third quarter of ####, with GDP rising by an annualised #.#% after four consecutive quarters of contraction. Personal consumption expenditure rose by #.#

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT China#;s largest listed banks logged strong profits in the third quarter. Moreover, asset quality held up following the lending boom of the first half of ####. Busts always follow booms - that is the lesson

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The Russian Central Bank (RCB) decided to lower its refinancing rate by ## basis points to #.##% on October ##th. The bank is continuing its efforts to stimulate lending and so boost the faltering

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Mexico#;s recession appears to be bottoming out: economic activity fell by #.#% year on year in August, matching the rate of contraction seen in July. Unadjusted data from INEGI, the national statistics institute

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Although the latest US GDP reading is encouraging, the positive underlying trends may not be sustained unless the government introduces further stimulus measures. But because the government cannot go on spending indefinitely, the economy is

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The pain in Spain remains mainly in pessimists#; brains, or does it? The big Spanish banks have reported resilient results for the third quarter, despite a rise in non-performing loans. However, given the severity

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Tensions in labour relations have increased in both public and private enterprises in Venezuela since mid-####, the result of the downturn in the local economy and a fall in real wages. The unemployment rate

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT After a year of implementing fiscal stimulus measures to support domestic demand in the face of the global downturn, Malaysia#;s government has announced a range of spending cuts for ####. This is a bold

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The US economy emerged from a deep recession in the third quarter of ####, with GDP rising by an annualised #.#% after four consecutive quarters of contraction. Personal consumption expenditure rose by #.#

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The annual rate of inflation in South Africa hit a two-year low of #.#% in September, easing from #.#% a month earlier. The goods index rose by #% year on year, matching

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Mexico#;s recession appears to be bottoming out: economic activity fell by #.#% year on year in August, matching the rate of contraction seen in July. Unadjusted data from INEGI, the national statistics institute

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SOURCE: Country Report SOURCE: Country Report

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Mr Gumbi#;s announcement came shortly after it had been reported that talks between JSW Group, an Indian energy and steel conglomerate, and the Swaziland government were well advanced; JSW is negotiating to buy a

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The committee has resolved that South African unions should stop handling fuel, arms, sugar and goods destined for the royal household as well as electricity, and has called on unions in Mozambique to join the

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Currency peg in context The Saotomean finance minister, Angela Viegas, has tried to dampen speculation that the euro peg represents a panacea for Sao Tome#;s many economic problems, but officials nonetheless have high expectations

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Household consumption of manufactured goods has followed a less favourable trend during the third quarter. After weak, but positive growth in the first half of ####, when spending was supported by automotive sales, consumption of

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The Clearstream affair relates to the sale of six French frigates to Taiwan in ####, the contracts for which may have included covert kickbacks paid into accounts held at a Luxembourg-based financial institution, Clearstream

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Although a watered down fiscal package was passed in August, the second round of reforms were intended to have a more significant impact on revenue. The government had originally pledged to submit a bill in

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Official name Republic of Guatemala Form of state Unitary republic Legal system US-style Supreme Court system National legislature Unicameral Congress, with ### members, elected every four years; re-election possible for members and leader

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Please see graphic below Please see graphic below

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Outlook for ####-## Monthly review

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Official name Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Form of government Unitary state, with some degree of regional autonomy for Tobago The executive The prime minister appoints a cabinet, which is responsible to parliament Head of

COUNTRY VIEW FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Sovereign risk Stable. Fiscal revenue is forecast to fall in ####-##, in line with lower oil prices, while spending will remain relatively high. In June #### Cameroon took on US$###m of extra IMF

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Official name Republique du Cameroun Form of state Unitary republic Legal system Based on English common law and the Napoleonic Code National legislature National Assembly with ### members; elected by universal suffrage; members sit three

COUNTRY VIEW FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Outlook for ####-## Monthly review

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Land area: ###,### sq km Population: ##.#m (UN estimate for mid-####) Main towns: Population in #;### (####; World Gazetteer estimates) Douala: #,### Yaounde (capital): #,### Garoua: ### Bamenda: ### Maroua

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Risk Briefing#;s risk scenarios are potential developments that might substantially change the business operating environment over the coming two years. This is the latest in a series of risk scenarios looking at threats with

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT NEW SCENARIOS Risk Briefing#;s risk scenarios are potential developments that might substantially change the business operating environment over the coming two years. We analyse the drivers, provide the context and conclude with recommended action

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT NEW SCENARIOS Risk Briefing#;s risk scenarios are potential developments that might substantially change the business operating environment over the coming two years. We analyse the drivers, provide the context and conclude with recommended action

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SUMMARY This country is published by Risk Briefing on a #;ratings-only#; basis. Risk Briefing covers ### countries. For ### major and mid-size markets our reports include extensive textual analysis and background. For an

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SUMMARY This country is published by Risk Briefing on a #;ratings-only#; basis. Risk Briefing covers ### countries. For ### major and mid-size markets our reports include extensive textual analysis and background. For an

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SUMMARY This country is published by Risk Briefing on a #;ratings-only#; basis. Risk Briefing covers ### countries. For ### major and mid-size markets our reports include extensive textual analysis and background. For an

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SUMMARY Sporadic unrest will persist in various areas of the country, stemming from inadequate affordable housing, high unemployment and corruption. Riots broke out in Algiers in October #### over housing shortages. Opacity of the political

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SUMMARY Most of the military elite have probably been convinced of the value of foreign investment (as long as it does not impinge on their own retail operations or import concessions). In sectors such as

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SUMMARY The macroeconomic position is strong. The balance of payments outlook is for a healthy surplus and management of the exchange rate is appropriate, although substantive capital controls remain. Real growth prospects are good and

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SUMMARY Discriminatory taxes have largely been eliminated. Indeed, the government insists that it is committed to attracting foreign investment and tax breaks for foreign investors are available. The government cut the corporate tax rate in

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SUMMARY Algeria#;s infrastructure risk is high--reflecting a hiatus of investment during the civil war ravaged ####s--though the government is investing in improvements. The road network is sparse and in disrepair in many

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Sigma stands accused of overpaying for Coppergate and highlighting Israel#;s failure to build large tech companies with sustainable growth. As the stakes for a piece of the home-networking market start to look serious

FROM EUROPEAN VOICE Bernard Van Goethem on why working for the European Commission is preferable to having his arm up the back end of a cow When Bernard Van Goethem told a neighbour that he works as a veterinarian at

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT A wave of nationalisations in #### and #### triggered rising tensions between the government and foreign investors in Venezuela. The president, Hugo Chavez, expanded his nationalisation campaign to include petroleum, financial services, steel and cement

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Ali Bongo Ondimba#;s first government has been named. It contains a number of new entrants--and women in two key portfolios--as well as a former opposition politician. It is likely to come under

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Despite these and other minor tax changes, there is no major change in fiscal stance from a macroeconomic standpoint. For the state budget (essentially comprising central government and the Treasury#;s "special accounts"), the PLF

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The first of these controversies centred on the minister for culture, Frederic Mitterrand, a well-known television producer and the nephew of the former socialist president, who was appointed by Mr Sarkozy in June. In

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The constitution guarantees the right to private property, but Article ### allows expropriation for the public good, and Article ### permits confiscation of property for crimes against the state, corruption and drug-trafficking. In recent

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Background: Bahrain became independent from the UK in ####. The increasingly despotic rule of the country#;s first ruler, Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa, led to a violent backlash by predominantly Shia elements during the

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Policy towards private enterprise and competition ####-##: The government opens up opportunities for private firms to participate in building affordable housing, as well as in power generation, waste disposal and some other state services

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Please see graphic below Please see graphic below

COUNTRY VIEW FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Sovereign risk Stable. Botswana#;s external debt burden remains low and should be maintained without difficulty. However, revenue from minerals has declined as a result of the downturn in global markets, and the government will

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Outlook for ####-## Monthly review

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Please see graphic below Please see graphic below

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Please see graphic below Please see graphic below

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Surface area: ###,### sq km, including ### sq km of territorial waters and #,### sq km representing Iraq#;s half share of a neutral zone jointly administered with Saudi Arabia. (There is agreement

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT Land area: ### sq km Population: ###,### (end-####), of whom ###,### are Bahraini nationals, according to the Central Bank of Bahrain Main towns: Population (April ####, official census) Manama (capital): ###,###

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT NEW SCENARIOS Risk Briefing#;s risk scenarios are potential developments that might substantially change the business operating environment over the coming two years. We analyse the drivers, provide the context and conclude with recommended action

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT NEW SCENARIOS Risk Briefing#;s risk scenarios are potential developments that might substantially change the business operating environment over the coming two years. We analyse the drivers, provide the context and conclude with recommended action

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT NEW SCENARIOS Risk Briefing#;s risk scenarios are potential developments that might substantially change the business operating environment over the coming two years. We analyse the drivers, provide the context and conclude with recommended action

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT SUMMARY Algeria signed an Association Accord with the EU in December #### and has officially stated its commitment to join the World Trade Organisation (though necessary legislation--on intellectual property rights for example--has not