The article “Volvo sale signed by Geely and Ford” talks about the Chinese car maker Geely which has reached an agreement with Volvo to invest 9 million dollar in the Swedish loss-making car maker. This was announced by the founder of Geely Li Shufu on a meeting in Peking. This agreement is the biggest overseas purchase by a Chinese car manufacturer.
Geely will buy Volvo for an amount of 1.8 billion from the American car producer Ford. This deal is a loss for Ford but they hope that the sale of Ford will help them to pay off their debts and focusing on their core business.
Geely has a lot of plans to let Volvo revive and has collected 2.7 billion for the acquisition and the investing plans. In my opinion the deal is a good one for Volvo because the Swedish company was struggling for many years and now they have the chance to take a new start.
Nowadays Volvo has two important branches which are situated in Ghent and Sweden; the Chinese buyer has promised to keep all the employees. I am not sure that the production will take place in Europe because I am convinced that Geely can produce their cars at a lower cost price than in Europe. Furthermore, they will produce cars for Chinese costumers because the demand for cars in China is rising, for example a rise of nearly 50% on the previous year.
With this acquisition it seems that the Chinese car market will become the world’s leading car market.
This blog is based on the following article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8591677.stm
De Bruycker Mathias
2FV4
woensdag 31 maart 2010
zaterdag 27 maart 2010
Fiduciary setback: Your greatest marketing opportunity ever?
With the Senate killing any chance for a fiduciary standard to become part of the upcoming financial reform legislation, it's time to move on and realize that Washington is not all that interested in helping investors.
But advocates of a fiduciary standard for financial advice givers shouldn't view Washington's inaction as a setback. It's actually the greatest marketing opportunity ever, if only financial advisers will start telling investors why they're better.
Investors are confused, misinformed and hungry for honesty. They want fiduciary treatment, they just don't know what it is and how it differs from what they probably get from a provider.
According to Evan Cooper there are some steps you can take to deal with clients and to invest.
First you need to create a simple plan, a five-step statement of how you will or want to act with clients.
Step two, don't keep your statement a secret. Put it in a prominent position on your website. Add it to your newsletters...
Step three, at every meeting with prospects, show them your statement. Finally encourage them to follow your statement and when they talk to providers.
By taking the advantage of their inherent advantages, fiduciary advisers can snatch marketplace victory from jaws of legislative defeat.
I think investing is always a good thing. Especially when the government doesn't want to help in some areas. Then it's the task of financial advisers to insure that their client and other people invest in these areas and products.
But advocates of a fiduciary standard for financial advice givers shouldn't view Washington's inaction as a setback. It's actually the greatest marketing opportunity ever, if only financial advisers will start telling investors why they're better.
Investors are confused, misinformed and hungry for honesty. They want fiduciary treatment, they just don't know what it is and how it differs from what they probably get from a provider.
According to Evan Cooper there are some steps you can take to deal with clients and to invest.
First you need to create a simple plan, a five-step statement of how you will or want to act with clients.
Step two, don't keep your statement a secret. Put it in a prominent position on your website. Add it to your newsletters...
Step three, at every meeting with prospects, show them your statement. Finally encourage them to follow your statement and when they talk to providers.
By taking the advantage of their inherent advantages, fiduciary advisers can snatch marketplace victory from jaws of legislative defeat.
I think investing is always a good thing. Especially when the government doesn't want to help in some areas. Then it's the task of financial advisers to insure that their client and other people invest in these areas and products.
vrijdag 26 maart 2010
Plymouth gets £25m investment in marine research
After my blog of last week, where the UK confirmed their investment in science, this week a practical example.
Plymouth is a port town in the county Devon, part of Southwest England. The city Plymouth will receive an investment of 25million pound to stimulate their research in green energy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8575456.stm
Benny De Meyer, 2FV4
donderdag 25 maart 2010
Taiwan Semiconductor invests in energy-saving technology
Like the article I discussed last week, this one also talks about green energy, but takes it to an even further level. Even before reading this article, I think it is striking how many articles you find about green energy these days. It looks to me people are really realizing we have to take measures to save our planet!
Unlike previous article (“Venezuelan Government Invests in Electricity Infrastructure “), this article talks about generating electricity out of solar cells and light-emitting diodes which can be found in flat screen televisions. More precise, it is the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) that will invest in this kind of energy-saving technologies.
“The project marks an important milestone for the company's entry into green energy," the world's leading contract microchip maker by revenues said in a statement. The amount of the investment will be 5.5 billion Taiwan dollars (170 million US dollars), the company said. This amount of money will be mainly used to start the production of these light-emitting diodes in the first quarter of 2011.
Again I think this is a very important event in the battle against climate change. In my opinion everyone should adapt his or her acts to less energy taking ones, so the world will survive this climate crisis.
Niels Roels
Sources: http://www.physorg.com/news188738352.html
Unlike previous article (“Venezuelan Government Invests in Electricity Infrastructure “), this article talks about generating electricity out of solar cells and light-emitting diodes which can be found in flat screen televisions. More precise, it is the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) that will invest in this kind of energy-saving technologies.
“The project marks an important milestone for the company's entry into green energy," the world's leading contract microchip maker by revenues said in a statement. The amount of the investment will be 5.5 billion Taiwan dollars (170 million US dollars), the company said. This amount of money will be mainly used to start the production of these light-emitting diodes in the first quarter of 2011.
Again I think this is a very important event in the battle against climate change. In my opinion everyone should adapt his or her acts to less energy taking ones, so the world will survive this climate crisis.
Niels Roels
Sources: http://www.physorg.com/news188738352.html
dinsdag 23 maart 2010
Germany's Coming Energy Revolution
The article talks about Germany and their energy revolution which is one of the most forward looking revolutions in the world when we are talking about green energy.
Nowadays everybody is talking about the phenomenon of global warming and the possible solutions to solve these problems. One thing is sure: we have to reduce our emission of C02.
Germany has a lof of revolutionary and high technological plans to produce energy with a strong concern for the environment. The plan is to save energy by implementing technological appliances in our homes and companies.
Everybody knows the trend of placing solar panels on the roofs of our houses but the German plan goes much further than this. The inventors of the plan want to stimulate people to use energy when it is cheapest.
These days the Electricity age is uses in six German regions but they expect that the project will expand in the coming months.
If you knew that solar and wind energy are the future to produce energy in a cheap and green way we should not hesitate to invest in these energy sources, and why we can't go much further by implementing high technological energy saving systems in our homes and companies.
The whole project of the Electricity age is funded by big firms like Siemens,etc... and a lot of energy giants. The tests and the technological development were paid by the German government.
Experts and scientists expect that the energy revolution in Germany will be a big success in the coming years.
De Bruycker Mathias
Nowadays everybody is talking about the phenomenon of global warming and the possible solutions to solve these problems. One thing is sure: we have to reduce our emission of C02.
Germany has a lof of revolutionary and high technological plans to produce energy with a strong concern for the environment. The plan is to save energy by implementing technological appliances in our homes and companies.
Everybody knows the trend of placing solar panels on the roofs of our houses but the German plan goes much further than this. The inventors of the plan want to stimulate people to use energy when it is cheapest.
These days the Electricity age is uses in six German regions but they expect that the project will expand in the coming months.
If you knew that solar and wind energy are the future to produce energy in a cheap and green way we should not hesitate to invest in these energy sources, and why we can't go much further by implementing high technological energy saving systems in our homes and companies.
The whole project of the Electricity age is funded by big firms like Siemens,etc... and a lot of energy giants. The tests and the technological development were paid by the German government.
Experts and scientists expect that the energy revolution in Germany will be a big success in the coming years.
De Bruycker Mathias
vrijdag 19 maart 2010
The UK keeps investments in science
After some rumours about cuts in the science budget, the British government declared that it would not cut down in this sector.
Since 1997 the Labour-party leads the British government and the scientific expenses are doubled to 6 billion pound. This amount contains the costs of research at universities and research labs.
The Royal Society, the national academy of sciences, wants to protect its business and clarified the importance of science for the economy. The business needs the government, because banks don’t loan the money they need to enlarge. The public sector isn’t able anymore to create jobs, but an investment in the science will generate new jobs.
The science budget wouldn’t grow like it did in the past, but investments are still necessary. In the near future the UK has to bet on renewable energy. Windmills and other sorts of renewable energy will warrant that the UK can make its own energy in the future, even when the oil stock is running out.
At my opinion, it’s good news that a big country like the UK confirm their trust in science, even in this bad period, when countries has to economise. I think that every pound invested in science, will return the multiple through the number of jobs it creates. I also agree with the fact that renewable energy is the future and it is necessary to invest in.
Mankind needs science, because due to science, there will always be progression. Without progression the world would stand still.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/101587a2-2e10-11df-b85c-00144feabdc0.html
Benny De Meyer, 2FV4
Since 1997 the Labour-party leads the British government and the scientific expenses are doubled to 6 billion pound. This amount contains the costs of research at universities and research labs.
The Royal Society, the national academy of sciences, wants to protect its business and clarified the importance of science for the economy. The business needs the government, because banks don’t loan the money they need to enlarge. The public sector isn’t able anymore to create jobs, but an investment in the science will generate new jobs.
The science budget wouldn’t grow like it did in the past, but investments are still necessary. In the near future the UK has to bet on renewable energy. Windmills and other sorts of renewable energy will warrant that the UK can make its own energy in the future, even when the oil stock is running out.
At my opinion, it’s good news that a big country like the UK confirm their trust in science, even in this bad period, when countries has to economise. I think that every pound invested in science, will return the multiple through the number of jobs it creates. I also agree with the fact that renewable energy is the future and it is necessary to invest in.
Mankind needs science, because due to science, there will always be progression. Without progression the world would stand still.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/101587a2-2e10-11df-b85c-00144feabdc0.html
Benny De Meyer, 2FV4
Want to short Toy Story 3, Karate jid 2010? Now, investors can place bets on movies.
New futures exchanges in Chicago and New York let investors wager on whether movies will be hits or flops.
A new futures exchange that will let investors bet on contracts tied to soon-to-be-released movies is making its home in Chicago.
Trend Exchange aims to open trading on the contract by midyear, allowing investors to wager on whether movies will be a hit or a flop based on box-office receipts.
Despite its Hollywood focus, the exchange put its operations and 22 employees in Chicago because of the expertise that has grown up around the city's other big exchanges. For instance they have recruited Patrick Catania, a 40-year Chicago Board of Trade veteran, to serve as a consultant.
He believes that the exchange might entice more capital to the film-making industry at a time when investors have become jittery about investing in movies.
The investors will be able to hold short or long positions and bet on between 12 and 16 movies in the weeks before the movies are released.
This is a totally new concept that regards to risk management.
I think this is a original and innovating new concept. That will bring big changes to the film industry. It will also bring a lot of money to the film industry because betting is easy and does not always deal with large amounts of money. So even a person with a little bit of money can bet and so invest in the movie business.
But the betting can also have a negative impact on the movies. People that bet can have or make a big influence on the popularity of the movie. In the end I think the impact will be more of a negative impact than a positive one.
This was based on following article: http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20100317/FREE/100319872
Liesbeth Masschelein
Trend Exchange aims to open trading on the contract by midyear, allowing investors to wager on whether movies will be a hit or a flop based on box-office receipts.
Despite its Hollywood focus, the exchange put its operations and 22 employees in Chicago because of the expertise that has grown up around the city's other big exchanges. For instance they have recruited Patrick Catania, a 40-year Chicago Board of Trade veteran, to serve as a consultant.
He believes that the exchange might entice more capital to the film-making industry at a time when investors have become jittery about investing in movies.
The investors will be able to hold short or long positions and bet on between 12 and 16 movies in the weeks before the movies are released.
This is a totally new concept that regards to risk management.
I think this is a original and innovating new concept. That will bring big changes to the film industry. It will also bring a lot of money to the film industry because betting is easy and does not always deal with large amounts of money. So even a person with a little bit of money can bet and so invest in the movie business.
But the betting can also have a negative impact on the movies. People that bet can have or make a big influence on the popularity of the movie. In the end I think the impact will be more of a negative impact than a positive one.
This was based on following article: http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20100317/FREE/100319872
Liesbeth Masschelein
donderdag 18 maart 2010
Brightstar Europe Invests in Business Operations in France and the Benelux
Brightstar Europe, a British cooperation between Tech Data Corporation and Brightstar Corp, nas announced that they will further invest in their European expansion.
Brightstar Europe is an expert in the distribution and integrated supply chain solutions for the mobile communications industry. Some well know brands are Samsung, HP, Sony, Acer, Toshiba,...
The company will invest more in their departments in France and the Benelux because their main objective is to become the European market leader for mobile services. The new branches will be located near big cities such as Paris, Brussels,...
The company has a completely different vision in France where Brightstar is focusing on RIM, HTC ans Samsung, In the Benelux they like to be focused on mobile operators.
Nowadays Brightstar Europe is very succesful in a lot of other European countries and they are convinced that the further investments are a next step to expand their business. Thanks to Brightstar's experience the business management is convinced that they can take in other important European territories. For me this challange will be easy to realise because Brightstar has proven repeatedly that they can take in several countries on the six continents.
In my opinion Brightstar can become the new market leader because they own a lot of well known brands which are very attractive for many customers.
It seems that Brightstar Europe will become the world's leading and fastest-growing wireless distribution and supply chain solutions company.
This blog is based on following article:
http://www/tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/tecd_brightstar-europe-invest-in-business-operations-in-france-and-the-benelux-781977.html
Mathias De Brucyker 2FV 4
Brightstar Europe is an expert in the distribution and integrated supply chain solutions for the mobile communications industry. Some well know brands are Samsung, HP, Sony, Acer, Toshiba,...
The company will invest more in their departments in France and the Benelux because their main objective is to become the European market leader for mobile services. The new branches will be located near big cities such as Paris, Brussels,...
The company has a completely different vision in France where Brightstar is focusing on RIM, HTC ans Samsung, In the Benelux they like to be focused on mobile operators.
Nowadays Brightstar Europe is very succesful in a lot of other European countries and they are convinced that the further investments are a next step to expand their business. Thanks to Brightstar's experience the business management is convinced that they can take in other important European territories. For me this challange will be easy to realise because Brightstar has proven repeatedly that they can take in several countries on the six continents.
In my opinion Brightstar can become the new market leader because they own a lot of well known brands which are very attractive for many customers.
It seems that Brightstar Europe will become the world's leading and fastest-growing wireless distribution and supply chain solutions company.
This blog is based on following article:
http://www/tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/tecd_brightstar-europe-invest-in-business-operations-in-france-and-the-benelux-781977.html
Mathias De Brucyker 2FV 4
zondag 14 maart 2010
India invests $10 bln in IMF notes
This article talks, as the title says, about India and its current investment in IMF notes. More specific, the amount of this investment is 10 billion dollars.
Together with Brazil and China, India has announced to buy the interest-yielding assets from the IMF (International Monetary Fund). These investments will help the IMF, known as lender of last resort, to boost its reserves which can be called on by members that need emergency cash.
Knowing there is a large need of emergency cash these days due to the global financial crisis, I think it is very important for the IMF these investments take place.
I think this will allow the IMF to proceed its activities even though they are struggling with this financial crisis. The article also mentions India expects more IMF votes and eased access to financing “as a quid-pro-quo for the purchase”.
In my opinion, these investments are certainly a step forward in the battle against ‘the crisis’. Knowing the IMF plays a big role in solving this crisis, it is logic all investments in the IMF will help when it comes to fixing the economy.
Yesterday, the IMF even announced there will be more economic leading powers that will continue to invest in the IMF. I think this proves leading powers have a lot of faith in the International Monetary Fund.
Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100312/wl_sthasia_afp/indiaeconomybankimfinvest
Niels Roels
Together with Brazil and China, India has announced to buy the interest-yielding assets from the IMF (International Monetary Fund). These investments will help the IMF, known as lender of last resort, to boost its reserves which can be called on by members that need emergency cash.
Knowing there is a large need of emergency cash these days due to the global financial crisis, I think it is very important for the IMF these investments take place.
I think this will allow the IMF to proceed its activities even though they are struggling with this financial crisis. The article also mentions India expects more IMF votes and eased access to financing “as a quid-pro-quo for the purchase”.
In my opinion, these investments are certainly a step forward in the battle against ‘the crisis’. Knowing the IMF plays a big role in solving this crisis, it is logic all investments in the IMF will help when it comes to fixing the economy.
Yesterday, the IMF even announced there will be more economic leading powers that will continue to invest in the IMF. I think this proves leading powers have a lot of faith in the International Monetary Fund.
Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100312/wl_sthasia_afp/indiaeconomybankimfinvest
Niels Roels
zaterdag 13 maart 2010
CEE need until 2013 to recover
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the biggest professional services firms of the world, has done a study about the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
The economy of the CEE-region flourished during 5years till 2008, when it reached 155 billion dollar. But then slumped with more than 50 per cent to 77 billon dollar in 2009, due to the credit crunch, the recession and a rise of the labour costs, because of the period of boom until 2008. But the consequences weren’t the same for the whole CEE.
On the one hand, in countries like Estonia, Latvia, Russia and Lithuania, the FDI dropped twenty till seventy per cent. Czech and Bulgaria weakened with only 5 per cent.
On the other hand, Poland became a little stronger in 2009. Outstanding was Slovakia, with an astonishing 55 per cent jump, as a result of a unique deposit of 2.3 billion dollar.
I think the damage of the credit crunch and recession was a tough punch for this region. Because, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, it has known a steady growth. Some countries like Czech, Poland and Hungary were very interesting for foreign investors.
The PwC figured out that the CEE-region will need time until 2013 to recover to its level of 2008. I suppose that this news is not as bad as it looks, because specialists expect that other countries like Belgium and the Netherlands will also need time until 2013 to recover from the economical crises.
source:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d92aaecc-2c69-11df-be45-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
De Meyer Benny, 2FV4
The economy of the CEE-region flourished during 5years till 2008, when it reached 155 billion dollar. But then slumped with more than 50 per cent to 77 billon dollar in 2009, due to the credit crunch, the recession and a rise of the labour costs, because of the period of boom until 2008. But the consequences weren’t the same for the whole CEE.
On the one hand, in countries like Estonia, Latvia, Russia and Lithuania, the FDI dropped twenty till seventy per cent. Czech and Bulgaria weakened with only 5 per cent.
On the other hand, Poland became a little stronger in 2009. Outstanding was Slovakia, with an astonishing 55 per cent jump, as a result of a unique deposit of 2.3 billion dollar.
I think the damage of the credit crunch and recession was a tough punch for this region. Because, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, it has known a steady growth. Some countries like Czech, Poland and Hungary were very interesting for foreign investors.
The PwC figured out that the CEE-region will need time until 2013 to recover to its level of 2008. I suppose that this news is not as bad as it looks, because specialists expect that other countries like Belgium and the Netherlands will also need time until 2013 to recover from the economical crises.
source:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d92aaecc-2c69-11df-be45-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
De Meyer Benny, 2FV4
vrijdag 12 maart 2010
Pennsylvania helps jobless residents pay their mortgages.
Can't make your mortgage? Get an emergency loan.
While the jobless don't get a lot of support from president Obama's loan modification program, the people in Pennsylvania have another place to turn to.
The Pennsylvania housing finance agency offers the jobless and those who are suffering from financial hardship loans up t $60 000 for as long as three years to cover their monthly payments. The program has already distributed $ 450 million on behalf of 43 000 homeowners.
Last year they had a record of applicants up to 14 000, the years before there were only 10 000.
This program is funded by the state and borrowers' repayments. President Obama is now looking at the possibilities of this program to make it national.
The organization says that if you allow people some time to find a job, they can keep their home. When people can keep their own home that is not just good for them but also for their friends, family and the community.
Not everybody can get in this program they have to go threw a careful inspection which looks at their future plans, if they have racked up their credit cards debts .... On the results of this inspection they will decide who can get a loan and who doesn't.
The best is that you have a reasonable prospect of resuming full payments within 36 months and paying of the mortgage in full.
The loan payments are made directly to the services and a lien is placed on the property. The aid is repaid at a 5,25% interest rate over 10 years average, but the clients financial circumstances are taken in account.
HomeSaver Advance is a similar program that was started in 2008 with the difference that the loans were for a short time and for only $15 000.
But this program missed the success link that the other program does have. So they had to shut the program down after not even a year in running.
I think this is a good solution for people who are in trouble and it may also be their last option. But they can't give everybody money so they have to be really careful within the selection-program. So they don't give money to people who have enough money or to people who can't keep and don't spend it all in once.
This is a good solution to give people some more time between jobs or to find a new job or to cope with an unexpected large bill.
If president Obama can make this national it may be the solution for the jobless rate and the number of people that lose their homes.
My blog was based on following article: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/08/news/economy/mortgage_help_for_unemployed/index.htm
Liesbeth Masschelein 2FV4
The Pennsylvania housing finance agency offers the jobless and those who are suffering from financial hardship loans up t $60 000 for as long as three years to cover their monthly payments. The program has already distributed $ 450 million on behalf of 43 000 homeowners.
Last year they had a record of applicants up to 14 000, the years before there were only 10 000.
This program is funded by the state and borrowers' repayments. President Obama is now looking at the possibilities of this program to make it national.
The organization says that if you allow people some time to find a job, they can keep their home. When people can keep their own home that is not just good for them but also for their friends, family and the community.
Not everybody can get in this program they have to go threw a careful inspection which looks at their future plans, if they have racked up their credit cards debts .... On the results of this inspection they will decide who can get a loan and who doesn't.
The best is that you have a reasonable prospect of resuming full payments within 36 months and paying of the mortgage in full.
The loan payments are made directly to the services and a lien is placed on the property. The aid is repaid at a 5,25% interest rate over 10 years average, but the clients financial circumstances are taken in account.
HomeSaver Advance is a similar program that was started in 2008 with the difference that the loans were for a short time and for only $15 000.
But this program missed the success link that the other program does have. So they had to shut the program down after not even a year in running.
I think this is a good solution for people who are in trouble and it may also be their last option. But they can't give everybody money so they have to be really careful within the selection-program. So they don't give money to people who have enough money or to people who can't keep and don't spend it all in once.
This is a good solution to give people some more time between jobs or to find a new job or to cope with an unexpected large bill.
If president Obama can make this national it may be the solution for the jobless rate and the number of people that lose their homes.
My blog was based on following article: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/08/news/economy/mortgage_help_for_unemployed/index.htm
Liesbeth Masschelein 2FV4
woensdag 10 maart 2010
Wales invests in digital tourism
Internet is everywhere and people use it for almost everything. You have to join in the game or you are lost.
For example, more and more people are going online to look for information about cities or countries, to organize trips and even make reservations. Wales realised this fact and is going to invest 17.4 million pound to make the Welsh tourism business stronger to compete the market.
The money would not be used only for online marketing, but also for better booking systems, databases and solid HR and business management. They will try to get these objectives in the next four years.
A former proprietor of a big Bed and Breakfast observed some problems, for instance that the local tourism has not the time and the knowledge to make a website. He developed a software system for sharing information and updating these to several websites.
I think that this is a good example of how they can use modern technology to make business and life easier. First of all, there is nothing as practical as the internet to search for information. Big tourism locations attract very easy customers, but now Wales take care of the smaller tourist industry. From now on, the whole world can find this information.
At the second place, it will be even more useful when you can book your holiday on the internet. You don’t have to leave your home, it will be better for the hotels and the tourist, because there is no intermediary.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8494631.stm
Benny De Meyer, 2FV4
For example, more and more people are going online to look for information about cities or countries, to organize trips and even make reservations. Wales realised this fact and is going to invest 17.4 million pound to make the Welsh tourism business stronger to compete the market.
The money would not be used only for online marketing, but also for better booking systems, databases and solid HR and business management. They will try to get these objectives in the next four years.
A former proprietor of a big Bed and Breakfast observed some problems, for instance that the local tourism has not the time and the knowledge to make a website. He developed a software system for sharing information and updating these to several websites.
I think that this is a good example of how they can use modern technology to make business and life easier. First of all, there is nothing as practical as the internet to search for information. Big tourism locations attract very easy customers, but now Wales take care of the smaller tourist industry. From now on, the whole world can find this information.
At the second place, it will be even more useful when you can book your holiday on the internet. You don’t have to leave your home, it will be better for the hotels and the tourist, because there is no intermediary.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8494631.stm
Benny De Meyer, 2FV4
dinsdag 9 maart 2010
European Investment Bank funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across South Africa
At the end of previous year, 2009, the European Investment Bank (EIB) agreed to provide a €40 million loan to FirstRand Bank to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across South Africa. By doing this, they are the only investment bank to invest in green energy technology projects in South-Africa.
Looking at the current climate change, these kind of investments are of course more than welcome. Based on recent figures, also Africa (which has only limited heavy industry) emits more toxic gasses than it is allowed to.
Due to this, I think these investments are very useful in the battle against climate change, and it will certainly lower the current emissions. Another positive thing about this, is that this battle against climate change is a very good example for Africa. Africa hopefully will realize the consequences of a climate change and will therefore not make the same mistakes that Europe and other industrial continents did in the past, by emitting way too much toxic gasses.
More specific, this investment will be used to finance different kinds of projects. Specific focus will be on industrial cogeneration, but projects are also likely to include support for renewable energy schemes, waste or landfill gas for heat and power generation.
I certainly think the European Investment Bank in doing a great job. Having finished this donation, this already was the 4th one in 2009. These kind of projects will help not only to the battle against climate change, but will also bring new technologies to South-Africa of which local engineers can learn.
Niels Roels
News report: Het Journaal (één)
Article: http://www.envirodesk.be/inhoud/european-investment-bank-funds-for-renewable-energy-and-energy-efficiency-projects-across-sou
Looking at the current climate change, these kind of investments are of course more than welcome. Based on recent figures, also Africa (which has only limited heavy industry) emits more toxic gasses than it is allowed to.
Due to this, I think these investments are very useful in the battle against climate change, and it will certainly lower the current emissions. Another positive thing about this, is that this battle against climate change is a very good example for Africa. Africa hopefully will realize the consequences of a climate change and will therefore not make the same mistakes that Europe and other industrial continents did in the past, by emitting way too much toxic gasses.
More specific, this investment will be used to finance different kinds of projects. Specific focus will be on industrial cogeneration, but projects are also likely to include support for renewable energy schemes, waste or landfill gas for heat and power generation.
I certainly think the European Investment Bank in doing a great job. Having finished this donation, this already was the 4th one in 2009. These kind of projects will help not only to the battle against climate change, but will also bring new technologies to South-Africa of which local engineers can learn.
Niels Roels
News report: Het Journaal (één)
Article: http://www.envirodesk.be/inhoud/european-investment-bank-funds-for-renewable-energy-and-energy-efficiency-projects-across-sou
Israel 'to unveil plans to build nuclear power plant'
The article tells that Israel has a plan to build a new nuclear power plant. It is the Israeli Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau who will announce this at an energy forum in Paris.
The objective is to built a new power plant because Israel is now facing a crisis over electricity supplies. They are two options to settle this new nuclear power plant: in the south of the country or a reactor near the capital Tel Aviv.
On the other hand there are a lot of opponents against this nuclear project, especially environmental organisations because the construction and the use of such a project is very harmfull for the environment and the nature.
Nowadays Israel has two nuclear reactors and it is said that Israel makes nuclear weapons in this sort of "nuclear buildings". In my opinion Israel's main objective is to built new nuclear weapons to be protected against new potential conflicts in this area.
However Israel has always denied that they have plants to produce nuclear weapons, a lot of people have their doubts.
The only positive thing about this project is that Israel can provide in their need to electricity but in general the disadvantages win from the advantages.
The Israeli Minister will discuss the possibility to work together with France and Jordan to realise his project. France grew up to one of the world leaders in electricity production from nuclear power.
Israel wants to learn something from France but it is waiting what the future will bring for Israeli's nuclear project.
This blog is based on following article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middleeast/8556266.stm
De Bruycker Mathias
The objective is to built a new power plant because Israel is now facing a crisis over electricity supplies. They are two options to settle this new nuclear power plant: in the south of the country or a reactor near the capital Tel Aviv.
On the other hand there are a lot of opponents against this nuclear project, especially environmental organisations because the construction and the use of such a project is very harmfull for the environment and the nature.
Nowadays Israel has two nuclear reactors and it is said that Israel makes nuclear weapons in this sort of "nuclear buildings". In my opinion Israel's main objective is to built new nuclear weapons to be protected against new potential conflicts in this area.
However Israel has always denied that they have plants to produce nuclear weapons, a lot of people have their doubts.
The only positive thing about this project is that Israel can provide in their need to electricity but in general the disadvantages win from the advantages.
The Israeli Minister will discuss the possibility to work together with France and Jordan to realise his project. France grew up to one of the world leaders in electricity production from nuclear power.
Israel wants to learn something from France but it is waiting what the future will bring for Israeli's nuclear project.
This blog is based on following article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middleeast/8556266.stm
De Bruycker Mathias
donderdag 4 maart 2010
Zimbabwe move on firms' ownership.
Zimbabwe move on firms' ownership.
A new Zimbabwean law that forces companies to sell a majority stake in their businesses to indigenous people has come into effect.
Firms worth more than $500 000 run by non-indigenous people have five years to sell 51% stake. When this hasn't happened they will get a sentence which can result into jail-time.
The president Robert Mugabe has said more than once that the companies would be foolish not to comply to the law. The law applies only to all firms controlled by non-indigenous Zimbabweans.
Mr Robertson says that the government appears to have no wish at all to make the country attractive to the overseas investors. He also thinks that it's a very bad idea, the law on company ownership has further divided Zimbabwe's already strained unity government.
As soon as the skills are taken away from the businesses they now have their eye on, those businesses will also fail. Robertson added that far from empowering the wider population, the move would only benefit those individuals that the government appoints to take control of the companies.
Even congress members aren't all that happy with the new law. They say although the principle of the law is good but we fear that this could lead to a creation of new minority blacks who will just replace the minority whites.
A new Zimbabwean law that forces companies to sell a majority stake in their businesses to indigenous people has come into effect.
Firms worth more than $500 000 run by non-indigenous people have five years to sell 51% stake. When this hasn't happened they will get a sentence which can result into jail-time.
The president Robert Mugabe has said more than once that the companies would be foolish not to comply to the law. The law applies only to all firms controlled by non-indigenous Zimbabweans.
Mr Robertson says that the government appears to have no wish at all to make the country attractive to the overseas investors. He also thinks that it's a very bad idea, the law on company ownership has further divided Zimbabwe's already strained unity government.
As soon as the skills are taken away from the businesses they now have their eye on, those businesses will also fail. Robertson added that far from empowering the wider population, the move would only benefit those individuals that the government appoints to take control of the companies.
Even congress members aren't all that happy with the new law. They say although the principle of the law is good but we fear that this could lead to a creation of new minority blacks who will just replace the minority whites.
Like every law it has it pro's en con's and also people who are pro and con. Some even think that it is a pro white law that is discriminating the black people from which own country it is.
I don't think that this is a good new law, it means that companies will not have the majority of their own country and that means that they don't have the right to do what they want with there own company. It is also discriminating against the companies that are run by non-indigenous people because only them have to sell their stake and not the other companies.
I also think that jail-time as a sentence for not selling their stake is heavy sentence, they could better start with a money fine or a warning.
The future will show us if it is a good law or not.
I based my blog on follow article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8536034.stm
Liesbeth Masschelein
I don't think that this is a good new law, it means that companies will not have the majority of their own country and that means that they don't have the right to do what they want with there own company. It is also discriminating against the companies that are run by non-indigenous people because only them have to sell their stake and not the other companies.
I also think that jail-time as a sentence for not selling their stake is heavy sentence, they could better start with a money fine or a warning.
The future will show us if it is a good law or not.
I based my blog on follow article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8536034.stm
Liesbeth Masschelein
maandag 1 maart 2010
Agreement reached on A400M military plane costs
Belgium and six other proper countries have reached an agreement with the European plane maker EADS to share the extra costs of the A400M military transport plane. The A400M is an airplane which is designed to be the most revolutionary militairy airplane.
The agreement was announced by the Spanish Defence Minister Carme Chacon on a meeting of European Union defence ministers in Mallorca.
He is very pleased with this agreement but in my opinion the elation is a bit exaggerated because there is still a lot of work to do. If you think there aren't any agreements about the technical and financial details of this program you can ask questions about this happiness.
Nowadays the project is 5 billion € over its permitted budget due to technical problems. The most important question was who will be responsible or who will be able to remunerate these extra costs?
The difficulties began because there was no strict concensus between theses 7 European countries. There were disagreements between these countries about the time that the order should be ready, other countries prefer to produce more slowly to spread the costs.
For me this is the ultimate evidence that a cooperation between several European countries for such a military project is not easy to realise beacause each country has his own different vision.
Up to now, the seven involved countries (Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Turkey, UK) have ordered together 180 planes, this is equivalent to an extremely high amount of 20 billion €.
In any case the program is delayed and the extra costs are estimated at 5.2 billion €.
It was planned that the airplanes will be ready at the end of this year but due to the delays the planes will not take the skies until 2012.
This blog is based on following article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8534248.stm
Mathias De Bruycker 2FV4
The agreement was announced by the Spanish Defence Minister Carme Chacon on a meeting of European Union defence ministers in Mallorca.
He is very pleased with this agreement but in my opinion the elation is a bit exaggerated because there is still a lot of work to do. If you think there aren't any agreements about the technical and financial details of this program you can ask questions about this happiness.
Nowadays the project is 5 billion € over its permitted budget due to technical problems. The most important question was who will be responsible or who will be able to remunerate these extra costs?
The difficulties began because there was no strict concensus between theses 7 European countries. There were disagreements between these countries about the time that the order should be ready, other countries prefer to produce more slowly to spread the costs.
For me this is the ultimate evidence that a cooperation between several European countries for such a military project is not easy to realise beacause each country has his own different vision.
Up to now, the seven involved countries (Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Turkey, UK) have ordered together 180 planes, this is equivalent to an extremely high amount of 20 billion €.
In any case the program is delayed and the extra costs are estimated at 5.2 billion €.
It was planned that the airplanes will be ready at the end of this year but due to the delays the planes will not take the skies until 2012.
This blog is based on following article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8534248.stm
Mathias De Bruycker 2FV4
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