October 2006 Vol. 5 - Issue 9

globalEDGETM Newsletter

inside this issue

  1. New at globalEDGE
  2. Featured Country: Egypt
  3. Poll Question
  4. News
  5. In Depth Look
  6. Recently Added Sites
  7. Featured Academy Section
  8. Newsletter Information

1) New at globalEDGE

The globalEDGE team is constantly adding resources to provide users with the most relevant international business information. On the Resource Desk, four new sub-sections have been added to our Global Resources. They are located in the Social Responsibility section, which can be found under Current Topics in IB. The new topics include Environmental Regulations, Sustainable Development, Employment Regulations, and Fair Trade.

(Back to Top)

2) Featured Country: Egypt

Amidst the sandy desert, along the banks of the Nile and near the Suez Canal, lie Cairo and Alexandria bubbling with energy. With nearly 79 million people, Egypt is the second most populous country in Africa, and it has the largest growing population in the Arab world. For many years, agriculture has been the main industry in Egypt, but due to limited arable land, Egypt is now looking to other industries, such as media, petroleum exports, and tourism, to improve its economic success.

To date, economic conditions are improving considerably because of increased revenues from tourism and an active stock market. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has ranked Egypt as one of the top countries in the world undertaking economic reforms, and businesses around the globe are taking note. This opportunity-rich country has interested many foreign investors, which is making Egypt's economic future appear bright.

Learn more about Egypt on globalEDGE Country Insights.

(Back to Top)

3) Poll Question

This month's poll question is:

"Will Egypt be able to meet its goal of exceeding 6% GDP growth in an effort to create a job for nearly every laborer entering the market? If so, how long will it take?"

Please view our homepage to vote on this month's poll question.

(Back to Top)

4) News

Egypt Talks Planned to End Trade Dispute
The Standard, by Kimathi Njoka (October 5, 2006)
http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143959138
Egyptian exports could be sending Northeastern Africa towards a trade dispute, if a Kenyan trade delegation fails to make a breakthrough. The East African envoy aims to examine issues surrounding the curiously low prices of imports from Egypt. Facing difficulty competing with cheap products from the North African nation, Kenyan businesses are now caught in a steady, downward spiral.

Jordan, Egypt to Promote Trade Ties
Jordan News Agency, by Petra Salem (September 30, 2006)
http://www.petra.gov.jo/nepras/2006/Sep/30/24000.htm
Egypt pledged to ease trade barriers currently hindering the import of Jordanian pharmaceuticals. Both sides are striving to improve economic cooperation, in an attempt to reap maximum benefits from a trade agreement signed last year. They also encouraged the private sectors in both nations to take advantage of each other's rich field of opportunities.

South African Seen as 'Imperialists'
International Herald Tribune (October 9, 2006)
http://iht.com/articles/2006/10/09/business/safrica.php
Apparently, economic betterment is not enough for South African firms to stave off accusations of supposed imperialism. Local businesses in several African nations claim to face unfair competition from South African Companies who offer lower prices. Conversely, experts also warned that increased red tape, and abysmal infrastructure in host countries, could scare off potential investors.

View more News on globalEDGE.

(Back to Top)

5) In Depth Look

Cityscape: For Egyptians, Life is a Bowl of Ful
International Herald Tribune, by Michael Slackman (October 1, 2006)
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/01/news/city13.php
As Egypt feels the assimilating pressures of globalization, an oft forgotten group - the poor - is fanning the flames of its fading culture. Peppered with traditional trades, the poor-dominated informal sector makes up about 60% of the nation's economy. And, each day, many more rural immigrants are riding into Cairo, on the backs of dreams and hopes. It could be high time for the national capital, and perhaps all of Egypt, to expand its economic horizon.

View more In Depth Look articles on globalEDGE.

(Back to Top)

6) Recently Added Sites

A sample of some of our recently added sites:

US-Egypt Business Council
http://www.us-egypt.org/
The US-Egypt business council provides information on business development in Egypt and the U.S. The site's purpose is to advise both governments so as to enhance bilateral commercial relations. Information is focused on economy and trade policy, foreign direct investments, imports and exports, privatization, Egypt-U.S. relations, and the free trade agreement between the two countries.

Doing Business in Egypt
http://www.amcham.org.eg/dbe/
Provided by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, this site provides information on the laws of business, business incorporation, taxation, labor regulations, financial sector regulations, and recent reforms in Egypt.
Category: Research: Organizations

Institute of International Finance, Inc. (IIF)
http://www.iif.com/
The Institute of International Finance provides research and policy concerning Emerging Markets. The site looks at corporate governance research, 'principles for emerging markets', and research around the regions of the world. Documents are available in PDF format.
Category: Research: Organizations

View more recently added sites on globalEDGE.

(Back to Top)

7) Featured Academy Section

Faculty Development
http://globaledge.msu.edu/academy/FacultyDev/
Powered by CIBERweb, this new section in Academy provides information about Faculty Development programs that are offered by the Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBERs) in the U.S. The programs encompass a variety of topics related to internationalizing business education, ranging from general themes of global interdependence to business language education, business implications of global terrorism, and economic globalization issues. The CIBER program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education (under Title VI, Part B of the U.S. Higher Education Act of 1965). For more information on CIBERs and their activities please visit the homepage.

View more Academy Resources on globalEDGE.

(Back to Top)

8) Newsletter Information

This newsletter is being sent to you by the globalEDGE Team. You elected to receive this newsletter from globalEDGE when you registered on our website, located at:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/

We do not disclose any of your information to third parties. However, if you do not wish to receive further information from us, you can edit your globalEDGE profile using the link below:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/profile.asp

If not already logged in, login with your username and password. You will be able to change any of your membership information. If you wish to opt-out, UNCHECK the box in section three of your profile that says:

globalEDGE Newsletter (see sample)
Yes, sign me up for the free monthly globalEDGE newsletter and other occasional information from globalEDGE and MSU-CIBER."

If you want to receive a Text version of the newsletter, select the Text option from the same section (3) of your profile that says:

"Choose preferred format"

(Back to Top)