New Section: State Insights
Recent months have seen the globalEDGE team hard at work on a new section of the website. This addition to gE will feature each of the 50 U.S. states, and is named, State Insights. With a comprehensive sub-section for individual states, it will resemble, and work very much like Country Insights. Users looking up a particular state can expect to be greeted by a brief introduction of its economy. This will be followed by several pages that cover statistical data, business resources, and even prominent corporations. An executive memo, which provides a summary of important information, is also available for each state. State Insights is now accessible and you can access it through the newly-added "states" tab. We hope this new section will further enhance your experience with globalEDGE, and look forward to incorporating new, exciting additions in the near future.
Visit State Insights on globalEDGE now!
In keeping up with evolving times, the globalEDGE team continues to strive towards providing you with the best and most up-to-date resources on international business. We also recognize the integral role that you, our growing user-base, have in our success. Hence, in an effort to further enhance your experience with gE, we would like to request your valuable input in the following area:
Which type of international business-related articles are you most interested in reading? (Please select one)
Thank you for your input!
Communist rule ended in Hungary in the late 1980's, at which point a multi-party system and market economy began to take root. The transition triggered rising unemployment, fiscal and current account deficits, as well as a decline in GDP. Sweeping reforms in the early 1990s were successful in abating these issues, though some still persist on a smaller scale today. The free market economy of Hungary has enjoyed a flood of foreign direct investment, which has totaled $60 billion since 1989. Hungary joined the European Union in 2004, and hopes to adopt the Euro in the coming years. Hungary is currently ranked as the 7th most promising market on MSU-CIBER's Market Potential Index.
Learn more about Hungary on globalEDGE Country Insights.
This month's poll question is:
"Will Hungary be able to adopt the euro within the next five years?"
Please click a choice below to vote. You can also vote at our home page.
Hungary Central Bank Deputy Governor Says Government Must Keep Budget On Track
Forbes (April 3, 2008)
http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/04/03/afx4848593.html
The Deputy Governor of Hungary's central bank recently commented on the importance of continuing to reign in the nation's longstanding budget deficit. If successful, this action could reduce market risk and lead to the adoption of the Euro in Hungary.
South Korea to Cut Tariffs to Fight Inflation
BusinessWeek (March 25, 2008)
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8VKEQ780.htm
In an effort to ease the burden of rising inflation for South Korea's consumers, the government has decided to reduce or eliminate import tariffs on a number of goods, ranging from grain to gasoline. The move comes in the midst of a worldwide boom in commodity prices.
View more News on globalEDGE.
Hungary 2007
Financial Times (October 25, 2007)
http://www.ft.com/reports/hungary2007
Financial Times provides a special report on the state of the Hungarian economy at the end of 2007. Despite its successful ascension into the EU, solid relationships with Russia, and much greater economic wealth for its citizens, Hungary faces many challenges in the upcoming year. Austerity measures instituted by the Prime Minister have caused the first decline in real wages in over a decade. Coupled with his private admissions to lying about the economy to win his election, there is also political instability in the nation. This report addresses these issues but also takes a deeper look at the energy, healthcare, and banking industries.
Flying Trans-Atlantic is About to Get Easier With 'Open Skies'
International Herald Tribune, by Michelle Higgins (March 25, 2008)
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/25/business/skies.php
On March 30, a new open skies agreement went into effect between Europe and the United States. The agreement will essentially open trans-Atlantic flights to free competition and airfares should drop significantly. Many airlines will enter the trans-Atlantic market and create new routes from several different cities.
Mexico Plans Big Splash With New Baja Port
LA Times, by Marla Dickerson and Ronald D. White (March 25, 2008)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mexport25mar25,0,5935211,full.story
A project proposed by the Mexican government would create a massive new port in the small village of Punta Colonet. The proposal calls for the port terminal operators to work in tandem with railroad companies to create a unified port and railroad system. The system would unload cargo from ships, and efficiently place it on newly constructed rail lines bound for the United States. The plan has roused several prominent backers, though early setbacks have also caused a number of critics to speculate that construction of the nation's largest-ever infrastructure project will never even begin.
View more In Depth Look articles on globalEDGE.
The Challenges of Dual Career Households in a Global Economy
By Leila Heron (Volume 2, Number 4, pp. 1-2, 2008)
http://globaledge.msu.edu/newsandviews/businessReviews/gBR2-4.pdf
Executive Briefing: The global economy, growing numbers of dual income households, and the increase of international assignments are producing pressure on American multinationals and the Federal Government to provide career transition assistance to spouses/partners worldwide. New support programs emphasizing entrepreneurial skills training and internet savvy show promise to boost employment opportunities abroad.
This month's Featured Sites:
Hungary: Investment and Trade Development Agency (ITDH)
http://www.itdh.com/engine.aspx?page=Itdh_Befektetes
The Hungary Investment and Trade Development Agency promotes international economic relations and business endeavors having direct impact on the development of the Hungarian economy. Information is broken into Investment in Hungary, Priority Sectors, and Trade with Hungary. The site is available in English, Hungarian, and Italian.
Category: Research: Government Resources
Country: Hungary
Hungary: Budapest Business Journal
http://www.bbj.hu/
Budapest Business Journal is a daily business news site in English providing business and economic news from Hungary. The site also includes a database of Hungarian companies and a variety of business links. Registration is required for full access of the site but the majority of the information can be viewed without.
Category: News & Periodicals: Regional News
Country: Hungary
ASIA: Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Agreements Database
http://www.unescap.org/tid/aptiad/default.aspx
The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Agreements Database is a product of The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Features include a searchable Trade Agreements Database and Interactive Trade Indicators, a component designed to help policymakers calculate some of the most commonly used indicators related to an economy's trade profile. The site also allows access to a number of other helpful trade resources and ESCAP research.
Category: IB Topics: Regional Trade Agreements
View recently added sites on globalEDGE.
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