Aquino’s “Very Clear” Mining Policy Is “Profoundly Disturbing”
| February 14, 2012 | Posted by Ben Kritz under Environment, Manufacturing and Industry |
In an address to a forum of the Joint Foreign Chambers in Manila last month, Philippine President B.S. Aquino III assured investors that “a very clear policy” on mining would be issued by his Administration by mid-February, sparking cautious optimism that productive development in a sector which has been hampered by chaotic management and political…
Something Rotten in Manila
| February 8, 2012 | Banking and Finance, Politics |
Disturbing signals from the Aquino Government cause concern among investors and depositors about the safety of the Philippines’ banking system. The relatively sound Philippine banking system has suddenly come under threat in the past week in two separate cases, with pro-Administration lawmakers and even President Aquino himself warning that banking laws and court rulings will…
Keep It Simple, Stupid!
| February 4, 2012 | Editorial, Politics |
Being the avid patriot that I am, this past Tuesday I went to vote in the Florida primary election. This was somewhat difficult, in that one had to be very careful to avoid the jugglers, sword swallowers, loaded clown cars, all those elephants, and no end of tacky, sparkly performers that the Florida elections have…
Myanmar’s Road to Liberalization: Too Much Too Fast?
| February 2, 2012 | Politics, Trade and Economy |
The frenzied pace of the Myanmar’s reform efforts is continuing unabated, with the government of President U Thein Sein recently announcing that tax exemptions of eight years or longer would soon be offered to foreign investors, and that an agreement had been signed with Singapore which would provide Myanmar with critically-needed training and consultation in…
Philippine Court Rules Controversial Bank Closure Illegal
| February 1, 2012 | Banking and Finance |
The Philippines Court of Appeals has ruled that the controversial closure of Banco Filipino by the central bank was illegal, and ordered the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to implement a previously-arranged business plan to aid the troubled savings bank, according to a brief report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The appeals court ruling, dated…
America’s Shadow Government
| January 18, 2012 | Posted by Lou Kritz under Editorial, Politics |
During the 1980 Presidential Election cycle and the inauguration of Ronald Reagan in 1981, I began to have unsettling concerns about what was really going on. It seemed unfathomable that this oater actor was able to put together the very complicated policies and programs that were needed to run a rapidly growing and changing world-leading…
Dangerous Heights: How the Skyscraper Index Predicts Economic Crises
| January 16, 2012 | Posted by Ben Kritz under Trade and Economy |
Can the construction of skyscrapers predict economic crises? According to an equity research report published by Barclays Capital last week, the answer is yes, which is why a boom in the construction of ever-taller buildings in countries like China and India might be cause for concern. At present, 53% of the world’s skyscrapers under construction…
Rapid Reform Moves in Myanmar Pave Path for Normalized Relations
| January 14, 2012 | Posted by Ben Kritz under Politics, Trade and Economy |
Although there may still be good reasons to be cautious about Myanmar’s progress, the events of the past couple days have, if nothing else, demonstrated the sincerity of President Thein Sein’s government to try to dispel lingering skepticism. On Thursday, the government and the breakaway Karen National Union signed a cease-fire agreement, bringing one of…
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