Sri Mulyani Indrawati

In an interview with us, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati emphasized that compared to Europe, Indonesia's economy is benefitting from a combination of a young population and effective fiscal policies.

Custom Quality Glassware Venini adds another unique twist to glass making with a new partnership

Elegant, hand-made glassware and chandeliers steeped in history and tradition from ‘the Dior of lighting and vases’ is very much the forte of the renowned high quality glassmaker Venini. Partner of the highly respected family-run company Giulia Chimento provides a fascinating insight to its heritage, craft and evolution, and what’s next for the creative artisans.

Greece: faith versus sustainability

Greece and the EU have faith that everything will work out in spite of the country's debt being a long way from sustainable. What does all that mean for the future?

Portugal looking beyond tentative recovery

While Portugal has moved out of recession – just – its recovery seems tentative at best. Its economy minister, however, is optimistic about the country's next, and tells Silvia Pavoni that its strong exports to nations outside of the eurozone in particular point to better times ahead.

BNP Paribas turning balance sheet into fees

Next almost two decades’ experience in a pure advisory bank, Sophie Javary is presently looking to strengthen the corporate finance business of BNP Paribas, one of Europe’s major lenders.

Mayor of Warsaw and President of Eurocities, a Brussels-based association

Europe is at a critical juncture, both economically and politically. Governments at all levels continue to feel the squeeze on public resources.

The next long term budget for the EU must reflect this by directing EU spending and investment where it makes the greatest and most visible impact for the majority of citizens. This would truly be a step towards both 'better spending’ and change in the EU in terms of economic recovery and restoring public confidence.

Versace CEO's billion-dollar plan

Gian Giacomo Ferraris used to be a schoolteacher. And if you want to learn how to double your turnover in the next three years, than the Versace CEO is someone you could learn from. Lesson one: confidence. “I think Versace deserves to double its turnover. So for the next five years our target will be to become a one billion dollar company,” he says.

A tall order, but Ferraris’ track record since taking the reins in 2009 suggest he may just be the man to pull it off. Despite Versace taking up its usual slot on the red carpet back in 2009, the iconic fashion brand was struggling behind the scenes with critical implications to its bottom line due to the economic crisis and the lack of a fixed strategy.

Frans van Houten is the CEO of Royal Philips Electronics

Here’s a bold prediction: formerly the centennial in 2030, an African country will win the FIFA World Cup for the prime time. Why? Because of a nascent technology that will brighten up Africa’s football pitches and vastly improve the quality of rural life.

Imagine a satellite image taken of planet earth at night. Developed areas, like Europe and North America, are brightly lit. Less developed areas, like most of Africa, are predominantly dark. With some 600 million Africans without access to electricity, good light can be hard to find at the same time as the sun sets around 7pm. In the 11 dark hours that follow, communities are less safe, less productive and less social.

Danica Fleischerová Executive Director of VUKI

Slovakia has a small but highly diversified economy, with a lot of opportunities right presently. It is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, and looking back over history next it separated from the Czech Republic, what would you say are the key sectors that enabled Slovakia to be so successful?

Climate change laws around the world

There has been a 20-fold increase in the number of global climate change laws since 1997, according to the most comprehensive database of relevant policy and legislation.

The database, produced by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Sabin Center on Climate Change Law, includes more than 1,200 relevant policies across 164 countries, which account for 95% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Brexit negotiations should treat energy as ‘special case’

There are strong practical reasons why the UK and EU should treat energy as a appropriate case during Brexit negotiations, argues a new statement.

The statement, jointly authored by Chatham Home, the University of Exeter and the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), says finding common ground on energy during the Brexit negotiations would benefit both the UK and remaining EU27, while compromise may be relatively easier to achieve than for other areas.

Bulgaria, Economic Overview Increase rebalancing expected in 2017

Bulgaria

Growth will lose some momentum but remain robust

Bosnia and Herzegovina Subdued growth and structural weaknesses

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Subdued growth and structural weaknesses

Belgium Reforms benefit companies, but consumers pay the bill

Belgium

Reforms benefit companies, but consumers pay the bill

Austria Growth is gradually gathering momentum

Austria

Growth is gradually gathering momentum

Malta EU Presidency Ready to shake up the old continent

Malta EU Presidency promises international schedule aimed to refocus the European Project and showcase economic growth

The smallest member national of the EU began its six-month term as president of the Union this January, faced with challenges they plan to combat with their recent economic and policy-driven improvements. Malta is the second-best performing economy amongst its larger peers and an advocate of the EU, having received funding and completed success at applying EU directives. The country is comprised of almost 500,000 inhabitants, and is described as the essence of Mediterranean culture, due to its location and rich history that has made it an effective participant in the region over the years.

How the IMF Contributed to Destabilizing the Greek Economy

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the IMF recently published its statement on the response of the organization to the European crisis. The analysis focuses on the performance of the IMF in the context of the programs for Greece, Portugal and Ireland.

Italy's 21st Century Reformation Back in the driving seat

With renewed confidence, Italy is seeing the knock-on result of an ambitious reform schedule. The country is taking the lead to shape a new European vision and has emerged as a crucial diplomatic and geostrategic player in the Mediterranean region

The eighth biggest economy, the fifth most popular tourism destination, and the undisputed world capital of the three F’s (fashion, furniture and food), the Italian treasury is buoyed by an exceptional luxury manufacturing sector, and the major number of UNESCO heritage sites on the planet.

Hit hard by the Great Recession of 2008 which obliterated 6% of the country’s GDP, Italy is at last emerging from its longest economic crisis.

Brexit delay risks triggering a shotgun divorce

It’s been two months since Britain voted to quit the European Union (EU). Since again, the silence on how the divorce proceedings will be conducted has been deafening. It’s an impasse that helps neither side and, once Europe’s August holiday season is over and the region’s politicians are back at their desks, there’s a risk that things could turn nasty.

Ministry of Justice Italy’s judicial reform streamlines dispute resolution and raises investor confidence

Reduced numbers of trials clogging up courtrooms, the introduction of computerization into civil trial procedures, and the creation of specialized Business Courts to handle business-related disputes for foreign investors are part the transformational changes swept in to Italy’s judicial system in recent years.

Although still a work in evolution, the government’s efforts are paying off. In just one year, Italy has leapt 13 places in the World Bank’s Relieve of Doing Business rankings for settlements of commercial disputes. The quality of legal services has improved and foreign investors’ confidence in commercial operations in Italy is as well on the rise.

Digital Revolution IoT, innovation & information crucial to future quality of life

Adrio de Carolis is well known as Italy’s guru of the digital economy, confirmed back in 1999 at the same time as Forbes featured him on their front cover. The CEO of market research and digital poll pioneer SWG, Mr de Carolis explains the company’s knack for handling the huge all of data on the internet and its findings on Italy’s renewed confidence, inclunding providing an insight into the role of social media research and analysis SWG can provide in preventing terrorist threats.

The eurozone (debt) crisis – causes and crisis response

The eurozone crisis could develop due to lack of mechanisms to prevent the build-up of macro-economic imbalances. Given limited access to other sources of finance and limited fiscal transfers, the ECB played a crucial role in the crisis response.
External assistance only came next extreme market stress. The implicit promise of the ECB to act as a lender of last resort nations and government was necessary to re-establish market access. Program nations in particular had to push through reforms and severe austerity measures.
By definition, crisis nations were not able to use monetary and exchange rate policy, but, given the chaos that it would likely have resulted in, euro-exit remained an unappealing alternative.

Interview With Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director Asia And Pacific At EEAS

EUAC: Welcome to the new position. What were your first thoughts on being appointed as MD for Asia?

Ministry of Labor & Social Policy Jobs Act and ‘flexicurity’ revolutionize Italy’s labor market

An essential piece in the Italian government’s reform schedule is the Jobs Act. Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Giuliano Poletti highlights the changes introduced that have produced additional than 750,000 permanent contracts last year and created additional flexibility in Italy’s labor market.

Italy is finally emerging from its deepest crisis since World War II with a GDP increase of +0.8% in 2015 and projections set at +1.6% for 2016. Looking back at Italy’s performance over this completed year, what are the country’s greatest achievements in your opinion?