In a world that is so profoundly based on affordable
access to energy, where financial markets, energy
markets, and communications are so closely linked,
each action and movement in the global energy economy
comes with an equal and opposite reaction and cost.
Renowned for its high-end hospitality, St. Lucia is embracing quality hotel brands
and strong partnerships as it continues its transformation to a service-led economy.
Although small businesses continue to display the optimism and
resilience they have demonstrated throughout 2007, some mixed
signals are coming into view.
Spain's economy is among the most vibrant in europe, but growth has been driven by
construction and services. Government grants and a dynamic private sector are
looking to innovation, however, as the source of future development.
It wasn't all that long ago that CSR was a
common acronym for "customer service
representative," not associated in any way
with corporate responsibility, social or otherwise.
Despite a period of unprecedented wealth for Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah is
committed to an ambitious reform agenda. And delivering a world-class
infrastructure is central to his government's plan for economic development.
Can you remember when business travel was considered a perk of the job rather
than a penalty? With all the negative publicity about the hardships of travel these
days - it's no surprise that 86 percent of corporate flyers surveyed by Orbitz said
they consider business travel "more difficult than it was two years ago."
At the imaginary intersection of Climate
Boulevard and Energy Security Avenue is the Center
for Green Transportation Opportunities, a place where
the needs of our country and our planet intersect
and money can be made.
During the past four months, general consumer confidence has plummeted, inflation fears have heated up, the housing market is on the ropes, hedge funds are taking a beating and the stock market has hit several bumps. But, despite all of these ominous signs, small business confidence has remained stable.
Croatia is moving up the world FDI tables. A pragmatic government is rolling back
the state, private sector growth is accelerating and, supported by a highly skilled
workforce, the country is turning into a hub for sophisticated investment.
Qatar was catapulted onto the world stage several years ago by a
number of government led initiatives to boost energy output, turning
this small Gulf country froma second tier natural gas producer into the
top Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exporter in the world.
Consider for a moment that Americans spend
90% of their time indoors. The built world surrounds
us. It covers the landscape and gets bigger every day:
Schools, homes, and office towers are totems to our
civilization. To know this is to understand the enormous
implications of the shift toward environmentally
sustainable construction.
With entry into the wto, a diversified private sector has opened a new economic
space for Saudi Arabia. The petrochemical industry offers great investment
opportunities while creating synergies with metallurgical plants
and financial services.
Climate--both natural and commercial--means
everything when it comes to the growth of investment
in low-carbon energy technologies over the last few
years.
As its economy matures, Portugal is increasing expenditure in R&D
to unleash creativity. A technology plan and an inventive private sector
have given the country a new competitive edge.
Since 2001, the business world has been rocked
by an unprecedented series of catastrophes, such
as the September 11 attacks, accounting scandals,
and Hurricane Katrina, to name just three.
A generation ago, Americans seldom changed
jobs and routinely retired with comfortable, reliable pensions.
But those days have become distant memories.
Washington Group International (NYSE: WNG), headquartered
in Boise, Idaho, is a global engineering, construction, and
management company with 25,000 employees worldwide
and more than $3 billion in annual revenue.
Thanks to oil windfall,
Kazakhstan is growing by
leaps and bounds. Already
a leader in the central
asian region, it could well
become one of the world's
50 most competitive
economies by spreading the
wealth to its smes
through structural
reforms.
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