Economics

Europe: Hiccups on the Iberian Peninsula

While Europe lurches from one crisis to the next, Spain and Portugal have been quietly going about their business, steering themselves back to stability...

Michael Pettis: Money Is Not Created Out of Thin Air

A recurring conversation I have with clients concerns the ability of banks to create credit, and of governments to monetise debt, and whether this...

Nigeria: An Economic Upswing Foretold

Oil prices have rebounded from their recent lows and may yet provide temporary relief to Nigeria, allowing the incoming administration of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari...

Ernst & Young: Argentina – Departure from Political Cycle

The new Argentine government holding office as from December 10, 2015, represents a departure from the political cycle that ruled the country for the...

IFC: Corporate Governance Practices in the European Union

For the first time, European Commission Directive 2006/46/EC required all listed companies to produce a corporate governance statement in their annual report to shareholders....

Middle East: Iran – Open for Business

Mention Iran to a stamp collector, and it’s quite possible you’ll witness a human being salivate like a dog being teased with a bone....

Latin America: Corruption – Disrupting Business as Usual

“I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on here,” says Captain Louis Renault of the Casablanca police upon entering Rick’s Bar. A...

UNCTAD: Africa Rising

Africa needs investment to advance sustainable development and see the continent prosper. James Zhan, Astrit Sulstarova and Mathabo le Roux argue that the nature...

Think Big: Economic Diversification Drive Meets Future

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the scene of undertakings on a massive scale – not quite appropriate for those accustomed to a more...

SpaceX: Making a Splash in Privatised Space Exploration

The United States government is outsourcing its business in space at an astronomical rate. Contracts worth billions of dollars are being awarded to private...