Good things come to those who wait

After the United States, China is the second largest economy in the world. It has long been recognised as the fastest-growing globally, having recorded annual average growth rates in excess of 10 percent over the last quarter-century. In Q2 2010, China’s economy was valued at $1.33trn, and it is estimated that by the end of…

Abu Dhabi targets high-tech future

Double-dip recession or not, global consumers are retaining a crush on their personal electronic goods and super-smart mobile devices. Even in tough economic times, the confluence of advances in computing, communications, mobile handsets, digital content and growing worldwide adoption of the internet is fueling new purchases and creating a mobile revolution. Not surprisingly, this consumption…

Abu Dhabi targets high-tech future

Double-dip recession or not, global consumers are retaining a crush on their personal electronic goods and super-smart mobile devices. Even in tough economic times, the confluence of advances in computing, communications, mobile handsets, digital content and growing worldwide adoption of the internet is fueling new purchases and creating a mobile revolution. Not surprisingly, this consumption…

Ports gain in pro-business market

Deemed one of the most prestigious projects in the Sultanate of Oman, the Port boasts the four largest shipping lines. Business is booming. Both its terminals saw double digit growth in the past five years, with general cargo growing at over 20 percent per annum, despite the onset of the recession. We spoke to the…

Vatican praises ‘ethical’ Sharia banking

Haitham Abdou, director of marketing and product strategy for the ITS group, the biggest supplier of Islamic banking solutions in the world, confessed he was shocked to read Pope Benedict praising Islam’s bankers in the pages of the official Vatican newspaper. However, Abdou said, the article convinced him that Islamic banking is now ready for…

China shifts outbound investment focus

In China, FDI policy has shifted from inbound to outbound investment. Furthermore, outbound investment is migrating up the value chain from resources through knowledge-based industries. China’s huge financial resources provide a sound foundation which needs to be supplemented with information and tools to assist Chinese companies to make objective investment decisions. Everyone is aware of…

New legislation strengthens tax

Brazilian transfer pricing legislation, in force since January 1997, has been changed to help businesses reduce the risk of tax contingencies; improve the management of its rules; reduce duplicate taxation; and optimise tax impacts through mechanisms of control of the strengths and weaknesses of the risks and opportunities related to it.   This legislation stipulates…

Gruma meets expansion targets

In 2011, GRUMA will likely face various challenges. Thanks to the company’s preparation – much as in previous years – its strategic business approach will allow it to move forward with great success. The Mexican multinational, with 93 plants strategically located to sell its products in 102 countries throughout America, Europe, Asia and Oceania, is…

IB competition grows in MENA

Among MENA investment banks, Jadwa Investment stands out for achieving strong growth despite challenging market conditions. Launched in 2007, Jadwa has been profitable for each of the last three years, and has grown assets under management by 13 times, from less than $150m in June 2007 to more than $1.9bn in October 2010, at a…