International Commerce

☆ Ninety-Seven Million Chinese Business People And Tourists Travelled Abroad In 2013

News Analysis: $102 Billion Dollars was spent by Chinese Travelers in their Excursions Abroad. In 2014 there are expected to be over 100 Million Chinese traveling afar. They travel for business, education, and leisure pursuits like everyone else but in spending an average of $1,050.00+/- each, economic benefits to Welcoming Countries are much larger.

Chinese Airlines benefit in carrying passengers due to their name recognitions in Asia. As Chinese Tourism increases and as those Airlines advertise widely abroad, In-Bound traffic should increase to China as well.

One might think that America: Which was Discovered By The Chinese; Initially Populated By Chinese; Developed early-on With Chinese Railroad Labor; And Presently, Financed By The Chinese (to over One Trillion+ Dollars) would be more appreciative than it appears it is. Constant Negative Washington Rhetoric by Politicians about the Chinese Government in particular shows  a lack of Wisdom on the part of these Foolish Americans. If the aforementioned Tourism to America ceased, it would hurt; If China withdrew its $1 Trillion+ Dollars of Financing to America, it would be Devastating, many people say. 

Perhaps Washington, D.C. Politicians should be given classes in both International Economics AND “Culture ‘Creature’ Studies” so they begin to understand “Dragon Power”.

Reality. 

Reference: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/business/2014-01/13/c_133039233.htm

Brazil’s Shipyards Expand Operations While Increasing New Builds

News Analysis: Brazil is presently fabricating 370 ships, including fourteen oil rigs and 28 drill ships for the Petroleum Industry. Although this number of fabrications is small (relative to world ship construction numbers) it will make Ship Purchasers attentive to the country’s building capabilities; this in turn could bring additional orders to Brazil.

New Builds will be necessary as Ship Owners look to replace polluting Aging Vessels that are more costly to operate. Power Plants are definitely more efficient than those built 20 to 30 years ago. To gain most from a ‘Time Charter’ or the “Spot market”, Fuel Consumption may make the difference between a Daily Profit or A Loss.  For example, as the “Baltic Dry Index” falls, as is happening NOW, Operating Efficiency is Imperative for  Ship Owners; they are being paid less for vessel use.

For the myriad of Ship Owners who are highly leveraged, if Interest Rates start to go up, which is likely, Debt Service will increase and many more Bankruptcies will commence. This, the Shipyards of Brazil will have to look out for so they do not gain overcapacity in a possible future market scenario.

For now, Brazil’s Shipyard activities look very bright.

Reality.

Reference: http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-daily/new-brazilian-shipyards-to-generate-30000-jobs/

Greece Department Of Defense (DOD) Procurement Rules Upgrade: Better Late Than Never

News Analysis: The Rampant Corruption by some Greek Politicians, Civilian, and Military Personnel over the past SEVERAL DECADES might be lightly addressed in 2014. The ‘DOD’ may upgrade its Procurement Policies this year. Unfortunately, it appears the many Crooks who stole from the People are not having their Ill-Gotten Gains Confiscated or are they Headed to Prison. Citizens of other countries find the “Economic Treason” which caused many Greeks much pain to be worthy of Penal Retribution through the Greek Legal System. Apparently, the Vested Interests in Athens thinks otherwise. Could it be that Continued Corruption is afoot in Greece?

“Den xero”, a Greek might reply.

That the European Union bails out Greece is notable, but the E.U.  too should demand legal redress against the “Greek Economic Traitors” wherever they have moved.

When is comes to Behavior Modification of ‘Bribees; or Embezzlers, if there is No Pain, there is No Gain (in getting them to change their Evil Ways).

Reality.

 Reference: http://tinyurl.com/mqx265n

Heathrow Airport Discovers A380 Can Increase Passenger Traffic While Decreasing Costs Via Fewer Aircraft Operations

News Analysis: The Large A380 is helping Heathrow Airport by Increasing Passenger Traffic but lessening Airplane Operations per year. Increased traffic means more Direct Revenue to the Airport Authority by passenger counts; as well as expenditure by passengers while at the Airport for Food, Entertainment, and the like. Taxis, etc, which are charged for Airport Passenger Drop-offs and Pick-ups contribute also to the Revenue Stream.

For Intercontinental Routes of either ‘Hub’ or Point-to-Point Configuration, the A380 will make “Cents” and Sense for Wise Airlines. Passengers will certainly benefit with the added Comfort and Space afforded by the A380; No “Sardine Can” Configurations for them (as on lesser Aircraft).

Reality.

Reference: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-13/heathrow-defies-capacity-cap-as-superjumbo-aids-passenger-surge.html

Gold Production In Egypt, Which Rose In 2013, Looks Even Better In The Future

News Analysis: Egypt, was, is, and will be a “Land of Plenty” many observers say. In  addition to its strategic location, its full Mineral Resources are yet to be recognized. The Gold Production for 2013, from one Mine for example was 356,943 Ounces (a 36% increase over 2012)!. It is expected as much as 500,000 Ounces of Gold will be produced in 2015 in the Sukkari Mine alone.

Iron Ore Production should increase to 10 million tons a year in Egypt.

As exploration of Petroleum Reserves continues to the Northwest of Egypt up to the Libyan Border, an abundance of oil and gas should be located. These deposits may commingle with the oil and gas discoveries in Northerly neighboring Cyprus and continue Easterly to the Levant.

Egypt has Location, Location, Location as an Asset in addition to Minerals, Minerals, Minerals.

If a person  ‘Thinks Outside The Box’ and “Connects the Dots”, he or she can see why so many Nefarious Entities want to take over Egypt. They want its Mineral Wealth and Location.  These “Puppeteers” may use many “Themes of Legitimacy” to promote their Hidden Agendas but one should remember, “Few Snakes Hiss Before They Strike”.

Egyptians, with their fabulous Ancient Culture, should respect their wonderful past but be ever vigilant. As they look forward in time  as to who their “Real Friends” actually are; a Review of their History will tell them the truth.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.ventures-africa.com/2014/01/centamin-surpasses-2013-predicted-gold-output/

★ Big Aircraft Sales, Small Passenger Seats Rile Passengers, Etc.

News Analysis: The Two Largest Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers are gleeful of their Sales Performances in 2013. The market for the World’s Largest Airliner has improved. The Smaller Single Aisle Aircraft Sales are performing very well. Their Common Stocks are up measurably as a result.

An area of interest for 2014 in Aviation is: It becomes a blot on the records of  Airlines as to wide-spread Customer Dissatisfaction with the smaller seats on the Single-Aisle Aircraft in particular. The Airlines increasing call for greater profitability (at the cost of passenger discomfort) has the Airframes ordering more of the smaller seats to “Cram Into” the fuselages. “More Passengers, More Revenue” is the Airlines’ Mantra. Since the “Me Too” Management of the Airlines copy what other Airlines Managements are ordering for their airplanes, passengers have little choice in seating. If they do want a little extra space, (which had been ‘normal seating’ for years) they now have to pay extra  for it; Extortion?

The “Fisticuffs” (of passengers against passengers or against flight crews) is due, in part, to “Minimalist Thinking” by Airline Managements regarding “Proper Passenger Environments”.

Discomfort breeds Hostility. Many people think the ‘Airlines Quest For Increased Profitability’ will only have the effect of “Charging More But Getting Less” for Airline Passengers.

The “Cookie Cutter” Mentality of Airlines’ Management some say is evidenced by the fact that the Most Unique Difference of Airline to Airline (Anywhere in the World) is their Aircraft Liveries!

The World’s Airline Passengers Deserve Better.

In 2014, Carbon/Carbon Matrix Composite Aircraft by Both of the Airframes will be Operational around the World. This “Advanced” Technology will bring it own “Advanced Failures” with it. What has been utilized on physically smaller “Shorter Life” Military Aircraft does not necessarily represent what is best for large Commercial Aircraft. A CERTAIN BENEFIT to the Airframes will be the fact that the Composite Planes will have shorter ‘Mean Times Between Failures’ than Metal Aircraft, Structural Engineers say. Airframes will be able to sell more Aircraft as a result some think.

Perhaps, as an example, the recent Ethiopian Airlines ‘Small Battery Fire” caused an alleged TWO MONTHS of “SECRET” Repair by its Airframe. Will this particular airplane have ‘normal life expectancy’; how can one be sure?  That a metal aircraft would be a much simpler fix is certain Maintenance Repair Organizations say.

Investors who have “Gone Long” on the two Airframes might expect Significant Problems to arise with Composite Technology on Commercial Aircraft resulting in a possible very quick diminution of their Common Stock Values.

The Short Term Benefits of flying ‘marginally lighter’ Composite Aircraft” might be upset by the ‘Inherent Frailties” of Composites used in Commercial Aircraft (De-lamination, Fire, and Impact Detonation). One should ask “Aircraft Structural Engineers” about this matter before investing or ask those who have actually bonded Composites. Ask “How does Bonding using Vacuum Bagging in an Autoclave differ from “Cold Bonding” in an Aircraft Hangar? What are the benefits of each process? If there is Landing Gear Failure what will happen to a Composite Fuselage hitting the runway?” The Aircraft/Power Plant Mechanics who presumably worked on the Ethiopian Airlines Aircraft should know.  Investors in Aircraft Insurance (or Re-Insurance Underwriters in particular) should pay attention to this probability. There could be Catastrophic Insurance Losses if a couple of Aircraft Events occurred through Fire or Crash or both.

Reality.

Reference: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/airbus-logs-record-2013-still-behind-boeing

Denmark’s Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Can Conceal “The Steal”

News Analysis: People desirous of Hiding Funds from Tax Authorities are presently employing the ‘LLP’ in Denmark to conceal their monies (Legitimate or Otherwise) gained elsewhere. Since both the Funds and the Beneficiaries of the Partnership are hidden from view, “Transparency” is totally obscured.

One can anticipate that pressure exerted by other Countries on Denmark will compel a Tax Change in the Country. Tax Evasion costs such enormous yearly Revenue Losses to Countries everywhere that lack of enthusiasm for the ‘LLP’ can be understood.

One might ask a Tax Evader: “Does the Joy of Concealment Equal The Risk Of Punishment?”

As Governments’ Electronic Interception of Data becomes even more pervasive, one might be of the opinion that “A Tax Evader Not Getting Caught Is As Possible As Bathing In The Ocean And Not Getting Wet”. 

Reality.

Reference: http://cphpost.dk/news/denmark-billed-as-perfect-tax-haven.8286.html

☆ Alaska’s Selective Marketing Efforts Bring A World Of Visitors

News Analysis: Alaskan Authorities know: “Visitors Bring Dollars To The Local Economy And Pleasant Visitations Bring Others Unceasingly”. This Simple Mantra, when combined with Market Analysis of “Who Might Be Interested in Seeing What We Have?” is a good point of commencement. The follow-on is that “While People Make A Visit Memorable; Environs Make A Visit Enjoyable”. Visitors treated in a Haughty or Shoddy Manner WILL NEVER FORGET their poor Experiences!

Alaskans have focused their Marketing Efforts On Asian, European, Indian, and South American Citizens that it hopes will ‘morph’ into Visitors to the State. This is interesting in that the while Alaska has its Mountain Beauty, Asia and India have the Himalayan Mountains and South America has the Andes to enjoy, and of course, Europe has the Alps.

While a “Newbie” Marketeer may think that the Physical Assets of that State are ‘Neutralized’ by other Mountains of the World, an Astute Marketeer might look further. He or she may notice that an Alaskan Political Figure, who ran in a U.S. Presidential Campaign, caught the attention of various Citizens of the World. Additionally, Media Video Productions about various aspects of the State were transmitted in International Markets (largely independent of Official Marketing Activities). Perhaps, the Independency of Attitude exhibited by these “Media and Political Celebrities” attracted the ‘Psyches’ of these Disparate Visitors. After all, Alaska is noted, to its credit, as a State of Residents: “Not wanting to be under Any-one’s Thumb”. 

The Varied Countries’ Visitors to Alaska are from: Australia, Austria, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, amongst others.

A Corporate or State Marketing “Professional” may want to examine Alaska’s Marketing Plan and see how it might have elements in it that can help them where they are located. It seems all too often, Marketeers start believing their OWN ASSESSMENTS of the effectiveness of their Marketing Programs, even when the result are contrary in actuality! For example, how often do Urban Authorities declare theirs to be an “International City” when the visitors are overwhelmingly Nationals (and wherever one looks, Locals are principally driving around the city in ‘Pickup Trucks’ or ‘S.U.V.’s with Darkened Windows); Real International?  

Marketeers might do themselves a favor and travel to Athens, Beijing, Dar es Salaam, London, Monaco, Moscow,  Mumbai, Paris, Sao Paolo, Seoul, Tokyo, and experience Real “International Cities”. The education can only help broaden one’s thinking when it comes to “International Thinking” and clarify what how their City actually compares in this Global League..

Reality.

Reference: http://www.adn.com/2014/01/11/3268750/alaska-tourism-courting-indian.html

Nano-Windmill Currents Will Create Electrical Currents For Cell Phones

News Analysis: Personnel at the University of Texas at Arlington have created a Nano-Windmill Charger for Cell Phones and other apparatuses. By exposing the Nano-Windmills to Air Currents, Mechanical Energy is converted to Electrical Energy for various devices. For example, someone sitting in a breezeway or near a operating fan could charge their cell phone by exposing the device to air flow..

The cost of Cutting Tools, Molds, Stamping Dies and ‘Touch Labor’ to Assemble the Units should be minimal when compared to the potential size of the International Market for such a device.

Investors may want to contact the Inventors and see if Licenses to Produce and Market the devices are available.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/nna3mq9

A Wise Corporation’s Spy Hire To Help Put Out “Fires”

News Analysis: An American Corporation placed a former Spy on its Board of Directors; a VERY WISE DECISION (according to many International Businessmen). Spies are Inordinately Qualified for many Analytical Jobs (beyond Spying); which today are needed by Global Corporations.

For example, keeping Electronic Business Data confidential from being passed on by U.S. National Security Agency Personnel  to personal friends (illegal and surreptitious, of course) is a task. Also, looking at various Commodities and their Sources can be assisted by these espionage professionals.

Former espionage professionals can stop Senior Managers, who travel on International Corporate Business, from making Deplorable Social Gaffes; such as constantly bowing to various Foreign Royalty as was done by the American President.  Even hiring “Sky Blue” colored limousines to ride around in is poor taste in certain countries. Former Spies can advise about Proper Protocol of which they have witnessed many times in many locations of the world.  

On a greater scale, one only needs to look at the Vast Capabilities in Judgement demonstrated to date by former K.G.B. Leader Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. He is Without Compare to many other World “Leaders”.

The “Bottom Line” in Today’s World  is: “Wise Corporate Leaders Surmise That Serious Concerns Will Arise For Which Former Spies Can Properly Advise.” Former Spies have ‘Been There; Done That’.

There is NO SUBSTITUTE for Experience.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/2014/01/10/goodyear-adds-former-cia-spy-to-board/?intcmp=obnetwork