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We need new, smarter energy infrastructures. They will be vital for our energy system, for our economies, for our well-being as citizens. For electricity alone, we are talking about something like 45,000 km of new or upgraded lines for the next ten years.

Preparing today for the energy networks of tomorrow

By: EBR | Wednesday, July 20, 2011

It is unclear what the energy mix of the future will be; one thing is clear, however: energy infrastructure will be key to optimise any energy mix. Without secure, intelligent and sustainable energy networks we cannot meet our energy and climate targets in Europe.

By swapping out the speculators from the secondary market to issuing the new debt Greece needs, the EU can empower Greece and others to plan for its own future based on new market-priced notes, not short-term bailout packages.

Will Europe′s Solution to the Debt Crisis Lead to the Break-Up of the European Union? An American Perspective

By: EBR | Friday, July 15, 2011

If Greece and the other “crisis countries” continue to pull financial and political capital from the EU, what is the likelihood that the Euro-zone would remain intact? Does the thesis for the continued existence of the EU crumble?

Expat managers are notoriously bad at adapting to local culture. What’s more, the presence of these foreigners often fuels a belief among local employees that there is a ceiling on their own potential in the company.

Beyond expats: Better managers for emerging markets

By: EBR | Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The CEO of Manpower argues that the era of the Western expatriate manager is ending. It’s time for a local approach.

It is less than ironic that Western civilization’s birthplace of theatre should be the source material for the drama being played out by European politicians and bankers.

The Solution to the Greek Crisis - Buy Greece!

By: EBR | Monday, July 4, 2011

Since the advent of the Euro-zone and the Euro, there has been a noticeable absence of solidarity among Europeans around the future of Europe. If this is heresy, so be it. Will Greece’s politicians survive the confidence vote to continue the good fight?

The recovery is becoming self-sustained, with trade and investment gradually replacing fiscal and monetary stimulus as the prinicipal drivers of economic growth. Confidence is increasing, which could add further buoyancy to private sector activity, the OECD said.

Global recovery firmly underway but surrounded by risks, says OECD Economic Outlook

By: EBR | Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The global recovery is firmly under way, but is taking place at different speeds across countries and regions, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Outlook. World gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to increase by 4.2% this year and by 4.6% in 2012.

One key way in which they have done so is diversification. Recent IMF research documents that businesses have increased the number of sources from which they import oil, making them less vulnerable to disruptions from any one source.

The Elusive Quest for Energy Security

By: The Globalist | Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The price and security of foreign oil has Western policymakers talking more urgently about energy independence again. But according to Prakash Loungani, an economist and advisor to the IMF, to insulate themselves from the effects of oil spikes, countries are going to have to learn to work together.

Under the theme ‘Europe in the world, leading or lagging?’, the summit united over 1,500 prominent participants from the EU and its main global trading partners.

European Business Summit paves way for European Growth in the Global Economy

By: EBR | Monday, May 23, 2011

The 9th European Business Summit, a key meeting place and networking platform for the EU’s business and political elite, concluded on a note of optimism. The summit, discussed the internal and external challenges that lie ahead for Europe in maintaining its position in the global economy.

"I am confident the country is on a path of sustainable growth and development. We have to give this program a chance. Any discussion now about restructuring Greece′s debt before 2013 is premature and unfair. Instead of talking about default way before the end, let′s put some faith in the EU/IMF program."

Now Is Not the Time To Bet Against Greece

By: The Globalist | Monday, May 16, 2011

The Greek government is seeking additional concessions from the EU to prevent a fiscal collapse. If its efforts fail, many analysts reason, the risk of Greece defaulting on its sovereign debt is high. But betting against Greece right now is not a smart bet, writes Greek MP Elena Panaritis.

"I would like to ensure that what we negotiate is implemented on the ground. With tariffs coming down as a result of trade liberalisation, the real task is about the regulatory barriers for trade, getting access to services and investment, opening public procurement markets, enforcing our companies′ intellectual property rights."

Trade after the crisis: what is Europe′s global role?

By: EBR | Friday, May 13, 2011

Trade flows may have bounced back from pre-crisis levels but the crisis invites us to shift the focus of trade policy. I would argue that the crisis has indeed changed the landscape for trade policy. So, I would like to draw three lessons of the crisis.

Antwerp will henceforth bundle cargo destined for inland China and send it by train, irrespective of whether the cargo comes from Europe, West Africa or even the Americas. Once in Chongqing the goods can then be distributed anywhere in China.

10,000 km rail link the Port of Antwerp to China

By: N. Peter Kramer | Tuesday, May 10, 2011

No government in Belgium (just a care taking one, since more than a year) but a blossoming economy for the small country that lodges the capital of the European Union, Brussels. The second Belgian city, Antwerp, now has a direct rail link to Chongqing, one of the world’s biggest industrial regions

Finally, once the electricity is produced by the sun or wind, it cannot be stored because battery technology is not currently up to the task. Hence, we must immediately "use it or lose it."

The Green Energy Economy Reconsidered

By: EBR | Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The fundamental question that green energy proponents must answer is this: if green energy is so inevitable and such a great investment, why do we need to subsidize it?

Is it any surprise, therefore, that there exist today areas of Greece where the government no longer exercises sovereignty? One such area is the village of Keratea, near Athens International Airport. Keratea’s inhabitants, supported by anarchist “freedom fighters” from the greater metropolitan area, have been engaged for two months in nearly daily pitched battles with the police, using firebombs, stones and rubble.

Greece′s Rule of Lawlessness

By: EBR | Thursday, April 14, 2011

Greece’s public debt may reach 150% of GDP this year, an alarming possibility that has captivated outside observers. But in the final analysis, the major issue confronting Greece may not be its solvency, but its governance.

Credit rating agencies have been widely blamed for their role in the financial crisis which has swept the world since 2007. They are accused of over - estimating borrowers’ capacity to pay back their loans and also of conflicts of interest, being paid as consultants by the banks whose debt they rate.

Standard & Poor′s: Greece and Portugal worth less than Egypt!

By: N. Peter Kramer | Friday, April 1, 2011

The EU member states Greece and Portugal saw their credit ratings slashed by rating agency Standard&Poor's on Tuesday. The cut, places these countries below Egypt, still involved in a revolutionary process, with a toppled leader and the army in power.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn currently supports this idea, suggesting that the IMF accounting unit SDR – Special Drawing Right – could become a global currency. As a result all participating countries of the IMF together could be the liable counterparty of such bonds – like it has now been implemented in the ESFS – The European Financial Stability Facility. Each country would guarantee for all others! Is this fair and intended?

The IMF as a Global Lender of last Resort

By: EBR | Tuesday, March 29, 2011

High volumes of currency reserves, which are currently invested in debt obligations denominated in Dollars, are looking for more secure investment opportunities.

Replacing lost production and rebuilding lifts output in a nation’s geographic areas less affected by the disaster as they provide the resources to rebuild and compensate for lost output in the most-affected regions.

Japan: The Economic Consequences of Disaster

By: The Globalist | Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The world's attention is riveted on Japan in the wake of last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami. As the world grapples with the scale of human misery wrought by the disaster, Peter Morici* examines the tragedy's economic impact on Japan and the world as a whole.

Social media tools offer a new test for leaders when it comes to dealing candidly with employees, especially amid economic insecurity

Trusting a CEO in the Twitter Age

By: EBR | Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The days are long gone when organizations could control the message internally or build a wall between themselves and the outside world. Today what's inside is soon outside, posted on blogs and message boards—or simply Twittered during meetings.

“the EU should efficiently spend the money that is already at its disposal rather than look for new ways to increase taxation. We do not need more revenues but more efficiency in spending the present EU budget.”

Grassroots campaign of European taxpayers against Commission proposal for EU tax

By: N. Peter Kramer | Thursday, February 24, 2011

European taxpayers are joining forces to stop the European Union imposing an additional fiscal burden on Europeans: EU tax. Plans for an EU tax are currently being considered by the European Commission and hailed by the European Parliament.

They called it the American Dream — and, for a long while, it seemed to be working. Alas, this is no longer truly the case.

The ′Untied′ States of America

By: The Globalist | Friday, February 18, 2011

For long, I have been at risk of committing a major typo: accidentally mischaracterizing the United States as the Untied States. I often considered adding this word twister to my auto-correct list. Given the divisiveness currently dominating US politics and society, perhaps it’s wise that I didn’t.

The first and foremost rule, or tip, in any traveling tips is to make a checklist of all the things you would need to carry. This checklist can be very important, as you don′t end up missing something essential, and your last minute travel arrangements are made simpler and time saving.

Business Travel Tips

By: EBR | Monday, January 31, 2011

Do you remember the times, when you got a call from your boss at 5 am, and you had to pack your bags and leave for the airport to take the 7 am flight? That's how hectic and random business travel can be, when you are least prepared for it.

EU Economic Sphere is still there, though its relative and possibly absolute weight in the world economy will decline. This is due, in good part, to demographics, but also because the EU gets lackluster scores in reference to Darwin’s dictum about survival.

The Seven Global Economic Spheres of 2020

By: The Globalist | Monday, January 31, 2011

As the world enters the second decade of the 21st century, one conclusion above all can be drawn: We live in an era where change is both rapid and profound. Jean-Pierre Lehmann, professor at IMD, paints a possible portrait of the world's economic landscape in 2020.

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EU Actually

Far-left and far-right gains throw French mainstream parties into a quandary

By: N. Peter Kramer

In many big towns and cities, Socialists and centre-right Republicans are tempted to make electoral pacts on their outside flanks to beat the opposition in next Sunday’s run off of the French mayoral elections.

Europe

EU and the Arab Gulf Must Come Together

The war in Iran proves the United States is now a destabilizing actor for Europe and the Arab Gulf. From protect their economies and energy supplies to safeguarding their territorial integrity, both regions have much to gain from forming a new kind of partnership together.

Business

EU risks losing US soy imports under deforestation rules, Washington warns

The regulation would make the bloc less attractive for American exporters, a senior USDA official said