In an effort to encourage democratic reform, the United States on Thursday eased a ban on investment in Burma and named its first ambassador to the country in 22 years. Sanctions on members of the former junta and wider restrictions remain in place.
Qatar is not afraid to flex its diplomatic and financial muscles, and its arrival on the world stage has been extraordinary. Last year the emirate was picked to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, and its political influence was seen to grow during the Arab uprisings. We take a look at what Qatar is trying to achieve and why.
On January 31st, the Indian authorities revealed Dassault Aviation would be the sole preferred bidder for the sale of 126 Rafale fighter jets- a mammoth deal which could total 11 billion euros. How has India reacted to the announcement and what sort of impact will the deal have? Is the Rafale an expensive mistake or a potential game-changer for the country’s nascent aerospace industry? Our correspondent Vikram Singh went to the southern city of Bangalore to find out.
FRENCH PAPERS, Tues. 09/08/11. The stock market crisis continues to grab the headlines of French papers. Le Figaro criticizes those who blame the markets and ratings agencies, while Rue 89 says they have no conscience and are only preoccupied with making money. Meanwhile, many papers wonder if the London riots will escalate like the riots in France did in 2005
In this edition we head to Guinea, where two French companies are battling over a deal to run the port in the capital Conakry. The bitter stand-off has sparked corruption allegations, and fears that Guinea's image as an investment destination will be damaged.
Bernard Madoff, the mastermind behind one of history's most notorious Ponzi schemes, told the New York Times that banks and hedge funds were complicit in his grandiose plan, and accused them of having turned a blind eye to his activities.
Global luxury retailer LVMH announced on Tuesday that it had increased its stake in smaller rival Hermès from 17.1 percent to more than 20 percent, igniting fresh speculation that the group ultimately intends to take over the company.
It's hard to believe it's part of the same country; Iraqi Kurdistan bears little resemblance to the Iraq that was not long ago a bloody battlefield. Instead, this area looks more like a town in the United States, and with its American Village development, it's meant to. The Western feel here is also bringing in foreign investment, meaning that the region is enjoying an economic boom.
BP chief executive Tony Hayward (pictured) was to visit Abu Dhabi on Wednesday amid reports the company is courting foreign sovereign wealth funds following the havoc the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has wreaked on the environment and BP's share price.
How do you create the corporate success stories of tomorrow? At the height of the financial crisis, France set up a Strategic Investment Fund to help small and medium-sized firms get off the ground. Today the fund has its finger in many pies, including both herbal oils and energy. Is that really the right way to go about it?
