The Academy section invites a new sub-section, Faculty Development, to the site. This venue provides information regarding upcoming business conferences, meetings, and speakers from a variety of universities across the United States. Offered from the many Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBERs) across the country, the listed events are intended to enhance the professional and educational competence of today's business practitioners. Topics range from global interdependence to international study programs, which are designed to immerse the traveler in the business culture of world markets. Come explore the myriad of educational opportunities with globalEDGE!
With a well-developed transportation system, a capitalist economy and favorable investment policies, Thailand is a rapidly growing economy. It is no surprise that for the last five years Thailand has been ranked on MSU-CIBER's list of Emerging Markets. But it hasn't always been a smooth ride for Thailand's economy. In 1997, the Southeast Asian Financial Crisis caused stock and property prices to take a dive, which led to bankruptcies, recession and unemployment. The experience caused many Thai to question their confidence in international finance. Thailand, however, recovered from the crisis with the election of a new leader and a flood of new workers.
Today, Bangkok is one of Asia's most vibrant and booming cities. Thailand's growth continues with increased consumption, high investment spending, and strong export development in manufacturing and farm output. Within the country, Thailand is seeing a shift from agriculture-related activities as large numbers of Thais enter the expanding industrial and services sectors. In early 2006, a possible avian flu epidemic threatened to harm economic prospects in the region, yet the economy continues to benefit from an influx of investment and stronger private consumption.
Learn more about Thailand on globalEDGE Country Insights.
This month's poll question is:
"In 2004 Thailand and the United States began negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and expected it to be finished in June 2006. Do you think a FTA between Thailand and the United States would be beneficial for both countries?"
Please view our homepage to vote on this month's poll question.
Japan, Thailand to Sign Free Trade Deal in Spring - Japanese Official
Forbes (February 6, 2006)
http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2006/02/06/afx2501984.html
A free trade agreement between Japan and Thailand, which was outlined last September, should take effect very soon. According to an official at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and his Thai ally, Thaksin Shinawatra, will sign the final agreement "around spring [of] this year." The treaty was drafted in full last week, and it includes a complete agreement related to investment and services. This bilateral negotiation put an end to disagreements over how to define the origins of products that contain material from different countries.
Can Europe Ever Escape Mass Unemployment?
Reuters, by Brian Love (January 23, 2006)
http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/23012006/325/europe-escape-mass-unemployment.html
According to politicians, European unemployment will fall in the coming year due to expected economic growth. Analysts, however, are skeptical to accept this optimism. There is a good chance that economic growth will occur, but there is no guarantee that job growth will stem from the rise in the economy. Cheaper labor in other countries, paying out dividends to stockholders and direct competition with developing nations are all factors that will deter European companies from hiring more workers. Depending on what economic strategy Europe decides to employ, the European workforce could be left without a job increase.
View more News on globalEDGE.
The Future of Outsourcing
BusinessWeek (January 30, 2006)
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_05/b3969401.htm
BusinessWeek recently comprised a section focused solely on Outsourcing, which includes a number of articles on the topic. The history, problems, benefits, and future of outsourcing are all talked about in depth. Specific industries are mentioned as possible candidates to conduct more operations overseas, while particular regions are indicated to be the most likely recipients of this new outsourcing. There is also a special focus made on current Outsourcing cases such as, "Can Latin America Challenge India?" and "From Russia with Technology?"
China's Five Surprises
strategy+business, by Edward Tse (January 18, 2006)
http://www.strategy-business.com/resiliencereport/resilience/rr00028?pg=all
China has been the fastest-growing economy for the last ten years, but many believe that the past is not the best gauge to use for the future. With its 9 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increase annually over the past twenty years, China is predicted to be the world's largest economy by 2030. With this growth, there are five predicted "surprises" in China's future: China's move beyond being a low-cost commodities producer, its emphasis on rapid-fire research, its ability to attract and retain high level executives around the world, its move away from connections and ethnic background to conduct business, and its modification into becoming a catalyst of sustained economic growth in the emerging markets of the developing world.
View more In Depth Look articles on globalEDGE.
A sample of some of our recently added sites:
Thailand: U.S.-Thailand Business Council
http://www.ustbc.org/
The U.S.-Thailand Business Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to
strengthening the bilateral relations between the US and Thailand. Some
features of the site include upcoming events and news regarding
international business about the two countries. This site also features
links to different news and government resources.
Country: Thailand
Thailand: Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand
http://www.mfa.go.th
As the official website of Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this
website covers Thailand's foreign policy, news press, official business
information, and the services of the Ministry. Also, it provides a detailed
introduction regarding Thailand's economy, religion, people, culture, and
tourism.
Category: Research: Government Resources
Country: Thailand
The Heritage Foundation: Trade and Economic Freedom
http://www.heritage.org/Research/TradeandForeignAid/index.cfm
Trade and Economic Freedom provides facts, figures and talking points as well as articles on topics like free trade and debt relief. The Heritage Foundation is a think tank encouraging conservative public policies centered on the following ideas: free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.
Category: IB Topics: Globalization Debate
View more recently added sites on globalEDGE.
Featured Discussion: Growth in Thailand?
It's been over a year since Thailand was struck by a devastating tsunami, which left over half a million people homeless in the Asia-Pacific region. As Thailand continues to rebuild, it does so with a significant investment in research and development, provided by some of the world's largest multi-national firms. Yet, a recent wave of anti-government sentiment threatens to slow the economic growth that Thailand has experienced over the past few years. The outbreak of the avian flu in the region also remains an area of concern for some international investors. However, recent reports continue to give Thailand a positive outlook, including its number 12 ranking in MSU-CIBER's Market Potential Indicators for Emerging Markets.
Where do you believe Thailand will go from here? Are the concerns about government instability and avian flu warranted? Did the Tsunami have a greater impact on the economy than most people expected? What are your experiences with doing business in Thailand?
Join our online community to discuss this and many other current business topics!
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