Asia-Pacific
As the UK Pivots to ASEAN, Indonesia’s President Jokowi Visits London
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has completed his first UK trip as President on an EU tour also taking in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Asia-Pacific
Business and Security Risks to Operating in Indonesia
Getting to grips with this culturally and economically diverse country requires in-depth analysis. In this brief report, we cover two key business and security risks to doing business in Indonesia.
Communications
Why Apple, Google, Samsung, and Facebook are Launching Payment Services
Opportunities for payment service providers are phenomenal. There were an estimated 358 billion non-cash global transactions in 2013, and the World Bank predicts the global value of remittance payments alone will reach US$681bn in 2016.
Asia-Pacific
High-Tech Vietnam: Tax Incentives
Vietnam’s government promotes high-technology activities by granting foreign investors incentives to operate in the country.
Africa
China and Egypt: New Suez Silk Road
China’s President Xi Jinping is visiting Cairo on 20 January in his first visit to the region. The visit is expected to see infrastructure deals signed, and provision of much-needed foreign exchange to Egypt’s banks.
EMEA
Salaries Crisis Plagues Islamic State and Kurdish Regional Government
The Islamic State (IS) and their opponents in the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) share the same problem, and both risk losing loyalty over it.
EMEA
Israel-Jordan Border Crossing Fees: A Risk to Jordan’s Tourism Industry?
Visa requirements have been tightened at the Wadi Araba/Yitzhak Rabin border crossing connecting Aqaba to Eilat. As of January 2016, those using the crossing to enter Jordan will be required to apply for a visa two weeks in advance and pay a US$60 fee. Use of the crossing had previously been free Read more…
Africa
Sharm el-Sheikh-UK Flights Should Resume, Says UK Parliamentary Delegation
A UK parliamentary delegation has stated they would recommend that Sharm el-Sheikh-UK flights be resumed.
Asia-Pacific
$15bn for Telecoms Companies in Vietnam
Vietnam’s telecoms sector saw total revenue of an estimated VND340 trillion (US$15.1 billion) in 2015, with total sector profits of VND56 trillion (US$2.5 billion).
Africa
Egyptian PM: No More Israel-Egypt Natural Gas Permits
Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail has announced that permits will no longer be issued to companies importing gas from Israel, or cooperating with Israeli companies on natural gas deals.