Economies
What drives economies, and what drives government economic policy? Are there alternative strategies that would achieve the required objectives yet create less disruption? Are the objectives valid? Contribute to The Chief Officers' Network's Economics section and help create the body of work that explains how economics works - and doesn't - and your understanding of the effects of policies and suggestions for improvement. Click on Write for us to find out how.
Malaysia reduces fuel subsidy
Faced with an impossible burden, the Malaysian government has been forced to reduce petrol subsidies. The population doesn't understand and thinks the government is raising prices. In reality, what is needed is a change in motoring habits to rapidly reduce fuel consumption, and for a recognition that even now petrol in Malaysia is extremely cheap.
Malaysia: action to prevent fuel subsidy abuse
Malaysia provides heavy fuel subsidy for its population, and it's costing the country ever more as the price of oil skyrockets. But fuel stations on the borders with Thailand and Singapore are doing a roaring trade as cars from those countries pop over for a top up, despite Singapore's long standing actions to prevent "fuel tourism." And there are potentially disturbing clouds on the horizon as the price of oil soars, and subsidies become increasingly expensive.
Economies: USA -if you want a mortgage, the banks don't want to know
... unless you are a low repayment risk and can offer excellent security. A report published by the USA's Federal Reserve Bank shows that home loans are much more difficult to come by in the light of the lending meltdown. And businesses are finding it tougher, too.
Economies: AUS inflation upsets predictions
Australia's facing the risk of recession combined with inflation. And that's not good news.
Economies: The US battens down the hatches
If you have to use more shoe leather next year to walk between Foot Locker shops, it's because there will be 140 less of them than there are now, as the company joins the throng of businesses cutting off less viable extremities to try to keep the whole alive.
Economies: 96% of Emirates workforce to be foreign within 12 years - report
A report in ArabianBusiness.Com quotes a Dubai official as saying that only 4% of the Emirates workforce will be UAE nationals by 2020, if action is not taken immediately.
Economies: discretionary spending crisis looms
When money gets short, quiet pursuits are the first things to go.
Economics: Bear Stearns sale - trend or glitch?
After previous bailouts have come to nothing, Bear Stearns has at last succumbed to its injuries. It's being bought for the apparently bargain basement figure of USD234 million - that's pocket money compared to the prices passing for social networking websites. Is this an isolated case - or the signs of things to come.
Economics: banks keep up pressure on Carlyle
The Carlyle Group says it has failed to agree terms with bankers to try to stave off margin calls and demands for liquidation of assets to reduce banks' exposure to falling asset prices in its Carlyle Capital Corporation division.
Economics: Carlyle Group tries to stop rot at Capital
The Carlyle Group is one of the world's largest investment companies, and it is generally regarded as one of the less risk-averse of fund groups. But even so its exposure to the US property market has brought its Carlyle Capital to the brink of insolvency.