Helping developing countries as they navigate post-lockdown choices would be an astute global business recovery plan
By Constantine Passaris and Murshed Chowdhury University of New Brunswick The COVID-19 global pandemic has widened the economic disparity between developed and developing countries. The economic consequences have been uneven. Canadians have good reason to be concerned about their economic future and livelihoods in the post-pandemic period. However, a global comparative assessment reveals that we’re…
The Chinese have stockpiled huge reserves of low-priced oil, giving them significant geopolitical leverage over Russia and Saudi Arabia
With the major stakeholders – Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United States – emerging badly bruised from the last round of the crude oil price war, a new world order is set to emerge. The cost of the battle has been immense to all three. In April, as the battle erupted, the value of Saudi…
Unless checked, Communist China’s economic muscle will continue to be used to acquire increasing influence around the world
Historians make lousy prophets. We find it hard enough to predict the past, much less what’s going to happen in the future. Nonetheless, I’m going to attempt to predict some imminent geopolitical strategy. As the People’s Republic of China makes threats against Canada for detaining an executive of a Chinese corporation, as it warns the…
Current oil production cuts can’t continue for long or the Saudis, and others, won’t balance their budgets
The U.S. is putting extreme pressure on the major oil producers, Saudi Arabia in particular, to cut output, firm up crude markets and ensure the continuity of the U.S. shale revolution. But on the other hand, the administration of United States President Donald Trump doesn’t want oil prices to go much higher. In an election…
We have yet to see the damage done to corporate balance sheets. And many consumers will constrain their spending
Our puppy Winnie died last week. If I was a betting man, I would have said Winnie would have lived to the ripe old age of 12 years old, which is the average life expectancy for a bichon frise. That, however, didn’t come to pass. Winnie was mischievous and playful, and in the end that…
Business professors see long-term growth possibilities in post-pandemic landscape
Joseph Doucet sees no economic upside to the global pandemic, at least in the short term. “There’s no sector, really, that’s immune,” said Doucet, dean of the Alberta School of Business. “We don’t know how long this will last, we don’t know how deep the damage will be.” Yet as COVID-19 continues to pummel the world…
SMEs are resilient, entrepreneurial and resourceful. With the right support, they will rebuild, transition and diversify
Nobody has been hurt more in this pandemic-inflicted economy than the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector. Closures, reduced hours and layoffs because of COVID-19 have impacted the vast majority of small businesses. Up to 30 per cent report that they will not survive the next 30 days without government assistance. The uncertainty of just…
The COVID-19 crisis has amplified the warning: dependence on Chinese products is a key vulnerability for Western nations
Many key pharmaceutical ingredients used in North America reportedly come from China or, in the case of generics, India. In turn, India imports key ingredients from China. So diverting imports from China to India might not reduce our dependence on Chinese manufacturers. In addition, China reserves the right to provide its citizens with vital drugs before…
As world demand declines thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, oil countries struggle to control prices with production cuts
Too little, too late? On Thursday, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Russia led non-OPEC oil producers, commonly termed OPEC+, took an unprecedented step to agree to cut the global crude oil output by 10 million barrels a day (bpd). The next day, after a five-hour-long virtual meeting, G20 energy leaders endorsed…
For four years, the U.S. has firmly rejected joining the producers’ club to curb output. It can’t remain aloof any longer
Energy diplomats are on overdrive, seeking to bring an end to the senseless global crude oil war. Russia and Saudi Arabia have flooded the market, driving down oil prices. A G20 virtual meeting of energy leaders is being urged, with International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol reportedly propelling the idea. Former U.S. Energy Information…
By Constantine Passaris and Murshed Chowdhury University of New Brunswick The COVID-19 global pandemic has widened the economic disparity between developed and developing countries. The economic consequences have been uneven. Canadians have good reason to be concerned about their economic future and livelihoods in the post-pandemic period. However, a global comparative assessment reveals that we’re…
