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Strategies & Market Trends : 2026 TeoTwawKi ... 2032 Darkest Interregnum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (25266)	11/15/2007 12:03:26 AM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 219643

The concept of Canada assimilating the US is fascinating. ;^)

To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (25266)	11/15/2007 6:36:28 AM
From: elmatador	Respond to of 219643

food and energy sectors likely to be China’s focus in Brazil Brazil: Business association expects food and energy to attract China [ 2007-11-15 ] Sao Paulo, Brazil, 15 Nov – The food and energy sectors are likely to be China’s focus in Brazil over the next few years, the executive-secretary of the Brazil-China Business Council (CEBC) told macauhub. The diversification of the Chinese energy network and the need to supply food to an increasing consumer population should make Brazil and increasingly important partner for China, said executive-secretary Rodrigo Maciel. “China will face a change in its energy network,” he said. According to Maciel, the Asian country “cannot live forever off coal," which is currently its main source of energy, because concern for the environment has increased. With this in mind, the executive-secretary of the CEBC noted Brazil's biofuel potential. “Of course there will not be traumatic change, but reflecting on the environmental impact of power production is increasingly important in discussions in China,” he said. “This (environmental issue) was already mentioned at the Chinese Communist Party Congress," Maciel said. The executive-secretary of the CEBC said he believed that the food sector would also bring the two countries closer together. “China has increasing demand for food. It must believe it is interesting to set up partnerships with Brazil to produce food,” he said. Amongst the 20 Chinese associates of the CEBC are oil company Sinopec, China National Cereals, oils and Foodstuffs Corporation and China Aviation Industry Corp. Amongst the more than 30 Brazilian members, as well as Vale do Rio Doce and Petrobras, are Embraer and the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries. (macauhub)

To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (25266)	11/17/2007 11:23:36 AM
From: elmatador	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 219643

Gulf currency pegs 'pegging their currencies to the dollar, the Gulf Co-operation Council states (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman) surrendered the tool of interest rates to control inflation." Argentina did that... Gulf currency pegs Published: November 16 2007 09:29 \| Last updated: November 16 2007 19:55 The speculation swirling around Middle Eastern currencies is a rare instance of economic textbooks being followed to the letter. So widespread is the belief that half a dozen Gulf states have little choice but to revalue their currencies that investors from hedge funds to retail brokers are all placing their bets. By pegging their currencies to the dollar, the Gulf Co-operation Council states (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman) surrendered the tool of interest rates to control inflation. Monetary policy, instead, has to mirror the country to which the currency is pegged – in this case the US. Enforced monetary discipline and a stable currency often serve developing economies well. For GCC states, where the main export, oil, is dollar-denominated, it made particular sense. But the pegs are under strain. A falling dollar, record oil prices and higher food and housing costs are causing inflation to tick up. A slowing US economy has resulted in a 75-basis-point reduction in US rates since the summer, just when the GCC needs tighter, not looser, monetary policy. In addition, underdeveloped local bond markets have made it hard for central banks to soak up liquidity by borrowing locals’ excess cash. This helps explain why money supply growth and equity markets are surging. This week, the governor of the UAE’s central bank twice questioned the existing currency regime. Such talk is counterproductive, as anything but silence can lead to self-fulfilling speculation. Even so, a blanket punt that the remaining GCC states will follow Kuwait’s move to a more flexible peg is no sure thing. The US will resist another blow to sentiment against the dollar. It is also arguable that the region’s export base is not yet diversified enough. Finally, a drop in oil prices might cool inflation long enough for a currency union to move back up the agenda, the GCC’s ultimate goal.