The globalEDGE team continuously strives to improve the usability and depth of content available to our users. This month, we have introduced several new additions that will contribute to our extensive collection of international business knowledge.
The globalEDGE Business Review (gBR) is designed to be your source for cutting-edge global business knowledge. It highlights a variety of international business issues facing managers in different world regions, industries, and management functions. Thanks to the millions of visitors to globalEDGE and over 31,000 members of the gE Network, the gBR will have a further reach than most journals in international business, as well as greater impact and visibility. Submissions are welcome; reviews are done in-house, and will typically take less than two weeks to post after revision.
globalEDGE has launched thirteen additional industries to the Industry Profiles section. Enhance your global business knowledge by utilizing the full array of statistical data, industry news, resources, corporations, and much more. Also, look for the new trade graphs feature located in the navigation box in the industry sections for a visual representation of import and export data.
Be sure to check out the improved versatility of the country maps in the Country Insights section. Now you can zoom in, zoom out, drag, and switch map styles using the integrated Google® Maps feature!
Get on the globalEDGE today with our new Academy Modules! With 21 new or updated modules, finding the business information you need is now easier than ever.
While recent years have seen the Dominican Republic slip into a period of poor growth, a series of reforms aimed at improving governance and balancing the budget are improving the country's economic outlook. It has also emerged to become one of the largest economies in the Central America - Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Like many nations in the Caribbean, tourism is the leading industry in the country. Sandy beaches and resorts aside, the Dominican Republic is also engaged in the telecommunications sector, as well as free-trade-zone manufacturing. Its economy has exhibited steady growth in recent years, while foreign direct investment continues to pour in from notable trade partners, such as the United States.
Learn more about the Dominican Republic on globalEDGE Country Insights.
This month's poll question is:
"Will full implementation of the Central America - Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) create a win-win situation between the U.S. and other member countries?"
Please visit our homepage to vote on this month's poll question.
Dominican Republic, Vietnam Seek Stronger Ties
Dominican Today (September 2, 2007)
http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=25298
The Dominican Republic and Vietnam have concluded talks between Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet and Dominican Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso. Both sides have expressed interest in expanding relationships between the two nations. Future co-operations may occur in the areas of tourism, mineral exploration, and agricultural machinery.
Asia Prepares for Private Plane Boom
BBC News, by Sharanjit Leyl (September 6, 2007)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6979678.stm
The market for private airplanes is growing in Asia. In the last five years, the number of private jet owners in Hong Kong has grown from 1,000 to 3,000. However, airports in Asia are not general aviation airports; they are owned by the airlines and landing fees are very expensive. This factor seems to be stifling small airplane growth in Asia, and it might be years before the industry really takes off.
Asians Say Trade Complaints Bring Out the Bully in China
The Washington Post (September 5, 2007)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/04/AR2007090402284.html
It seems no country has been immune to China's recent surge in product safety mishaps, but less-developed countries may be particularly vulnerable. According to Husniah Rubiana Thamrin Akib, head of Indonesia's top food and drug safety agency, officials from the Chinese government recommended lowering Indonesia's safety regulations rather than improving the manufacturing standards at home. The series of ensuing recalls and aggressive accusations has created a tense situation in which each side blames the other while the real problems remain stymied.
View more News on globalEDGE.
Dominican Republic 2006
Financial Times (March 10, 2006)
http://www.ft.com/reports/dominicanrepublic2006
The Dominican Republic is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean. In addition, its economy has been in revival since the election of center-left President Leonel Fernández. However, it continues to face challenges in creating jobs and reducing high poverty levels. Financial Times provides an extensive analysis of Dominican Republic, highlighting issues such as energy, government, banking, tourism, and free trade. Relevant statistics are also provided ranging from foreign aid to crime.
Europe: A Branding Dichotomy
Interbrand, by Alycia de Mesa (September 3, 2007)
http://www.brandchannel.com/start1.asp?fa_id=384
In the world of global branding, cultural differences have put a damper on success in emerging markets. While firms have traditionally employed a cookie-cutter branding strategy across all markets, consumers are increasingly demanding proof of a brand's quality that caters to their own culture. In many cases this requires a total restructuring of the brand message and even the human resources responsible for creating that message. While this requires a great deal of learning on the parts of both consumers and global brands, if the firm plays their cards right they can reap the rewards of success in a growing market.
View more In Depth Look articles on globalEDGE.
How Flat is the World
By Tomas Hult (Volume 1, Number 1, pp. 1-2, 2007)
http://globaledge.msu.edu/newsandviews/businessReviews/gBR1-1.pdf
Executive Briefing: In his 2005 bestseller, The World Is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman argues that countries compete on an increasingly level playing field. But, does that argument hold over time when tested empirically? In some economic sectors the answer is "maybe," while in most sectors the answer is a simple "no." So, what does this mean for global business strategy?
This month's Featured Sites:
LATIN AMERICA: International Trade Association - Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
http://ita.doc.gov/cafta/
The site, hosted by the United States Department of Commerce, brings together information and resources about the opportunities that will become available through CAFTA-DR. The agreement will offer new opportunities in Central America, which includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
Country: Dominican Republic
Category: IB Topics: Regional Trade Agreements
Common Sense Advisory: Top 20 Translation Companies
http://commonsenseadvisory.com/members/res_cgi.php/070502_Q_Top_20.php
Common Sense Advisory annually ranks the top 20 translation companies. Through research reports, the site also attempts to help global companies benchmark, optimize, and innovate industry best practices in translation, localization, internationalization, and globalization.
Country: Dominican Republic
Category: Research: Rankings
IFC SME Entrepreneurship Database
http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/sme.nsf/Content/Entrepreneurship+Database
The World Bank Group Entrepreneurship Database collects cross-country business entry data directly from business registries. This first year of data includes information from 95 countries. The database is one of the most comprehensive datasets on cross-country firm entry data available today.
Category: Research: Statistical Data Sources
View recently added sites on globalEDGE.
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