Business Monitor International (BMI) has just published a Special Report examining the economic consequences of Japan’s March 11, 2011, earthquake. The report analyses the following topics: The economic consequences for Japan The impact of the quake on global financial markets The impact on global commodity prices The impact on Japan’s infrastructure sector The impact on… [Read more]
China’s 12th Five Year Plan announced this month contains few surprises. The bulk of the targets for the 2011-2015 period set out for different industries have already been leaked over previous months. If anything, the government’s economic strategy as laid out in the new plan justifies Business Monitor International’s expectation that there will be an… [Read more]
At the last European Council meeting, EU leaders covered a number of strategic energy-related questions, including market liberalisation, energy efficiency and infrastructure, external relations, renewable, and sustainable low carbon technologies. BMI believes that the considerations on infrastructure are by far the most significant and anticipates that both the greenfield and brownfield projects will generate substantial… [Read more]
Shale gas is the topic du jour right now in the energy industry. In the US, soaring production from shale, thanks to advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technology, has turned the gas market on its head. While just a few years ago, the US was planning for rising gas imports, now LNG (liquefied… [Read more]
In response to Iran’s non-compliance with the UN over its nuclear programme, and its continued support for terrorist organisations, the US Congress on June 24 passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010 – an amendment to the original Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. As expected, the act tightened restrictions against Iranian… [Read more]
Technological advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have resulted in booming gas production from shale deposits in the US. US gas reserves, once thought due to run out in 30 years, now look sufficient to meet 100 years of demand. While this is good news for the US, as it reduces gas import dependency,… [Read more]
With Libyan leader Muammar al Qadhafi stepping up his anti-Western rhetoric, there are growing fears that what Mark Mobius recently called ‘the ideal frontier market’ is turning its back on the reformist experiment it has been pursuing for the last few years. Mark Schaltuper speaks to Liz Martins, Head of Middle East and North Africa… [Read more]
