Category Archives: Economics

Banking on Merkel: Germany expected to hold course on Eurozone

Germany is likely to continue with the same cautious, pragmatic approach in overcoming the crisis, despite the Southern Eurozone countries’ expectations of changing the policies. The decisive day, 22 September 2013, not for the German people only but also for Read on! →

A small pyramid with the Euro sign stands just outside Riga, Latvia

Latvia: Introduction of the Euro to go ahead despite lack of public support

Latvia will become the 18th Member State to introduce the euro on 1 January 2014, but with less than 40% support from its citizens. The Latvian Prime Minister, Valdis Dombrovskis, has admitted: “The public now is less convinced than it Read on! →

Mario DRAGHI, President of the European Central Bank.

Germany: The Constitutional Court will decide on the future of the Eurozone

Germany will have to leave the Eurozone should the German Constitutional Court find the ECB’s Outright Monetary Transactions illegal. The Court in Karlsruhe will decide whether the European Central Bank’s (ECB) Outright Monetary Transactions (OMT) is in the line with Read on! →

UK Prime Minister David Cameron had been keen to discuss tax avoidance at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland

UK: Was there any progress made at G8 on tax evasion?

Earlier this week, eight leaders travelled to the picturesque Lough Erne lakes of Northern Ireland for the annual G8 Summit under the stewardship of David Cameron. Whilst Syria was the hot topic on the agenda, for the British PM it Read on! →

Doctors of the World has launched a harm reduction project with Tanzanian institutions and the local community at the start of 2010.

Tanzania: The forgotten youth

The United Republic of Tanzania is home to one of the largest youth populations in the world. A generation of this size brings with it an abundance of raw potential, and the opportunity to cultivate their abilities as a vital Read on! →

The coffee industry is especially bug in East Africa, but much of it is processed in Europe instead of inside Africa.

Intra-African Trade: A first step to a continental free trade zone

Africa is touted as the continent of opportunities, where there are endless resources available for economic growth and transformation. But for Africa to take its rightful position in the world’s global economy, then it must dream of becoming borderless in Read on! →

The co-operative bank has been downgraded by Moody's

UK: Would criminal law prevent banks taking excessive risks?

On Friday we were yet again reminded of the fragility of the UK financial sector. The Co-operative bank has had its credit rating downgraded to ‘junk’ status by credit rating’s agency Moody’s. In addition, their CEO, Barry Tootell, has resigned Read on! →

Property for sale in London, 2009

UK: Is London seeding a property bubble?

The average property price in London has increased fourfold since 1995, soaring, slumping and soaring again in a volatile market that economists and commentators have struggled to get a grip on.

Euro statue outside the European Central Bank in Frankfurt

Europe: Is ‘Euro solidarity’ simply divisive rhetoric?

Billions of Euros have been poured into the EFSF, Eurozone bailout fund; but is solidarity with fellow members a good enough motivation to contribute?

A farmer shows off her crop of paprika peppers in Mang'alali village, Iranga region. USAID helps farmers to improve their yields and get better prices for their crops in a number of African countries, including Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe: Reviving the paprika industry after years of recession

Zimbabwe, with support from international partners, is aiming to revive paprika production in the smallhold sector, to counter the continued negative effects from the controversial land reform programme of 2000.