Glydways’ Post

https://lnkd.in/gx8xm_nK. In principle, what's there not to like? In practice, the sponsor of the trip is weird and what is planned to be marketed is odd. The group doesn't seem knowledgeable about what attracts #China #FDi or the #geopolitical background--as for the latter, if they didn't they wouldn't be marketing deeper China involvement in ports. And where's the mention of dealing with crime, homelessness, and policies that turn off FDI?

The #developments of the Northwestern Economic Zone were presented with the participation of Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. #economy #Debrecen #Hungary

In fact, China is redesigning the bri—but to save it, not scrap it. Foreign unhappiness is one reason, for some of China’s most reliable friends in Africa, Asia and beyond are struggling with bri debts. But critics in the West risk missing another big reason for a redesign. As China’s economy slows, Mr Xi’s own subjects are growing more sceptical of the scheme, notably in places where locals’ hopes of a bri-fuelled boom have faded. China’s leaders are aware of this discontent. Later this month the State Council Information Office will publish a white paper to mark the bri’s tenth anniversary. An adviser to that project describes his counsel to propaganda officials: emphasise the scheme’s benefits to ordinary Chinese back home, with concrete examples. https://lnkd.in/dj5ibQ4G The Belt and Road, as seen from China from TheEconomist

Barely a year after southern #Italy's eight #SEZs got up and running, the government is merging them into a mega-zone to be managed from #Rome. The overhaul has many advantages, namely the fact around half the country will be a free zone. But running all processes through the capital city — which isn't even within the SEZ — is a major oversight. It's hard to see how the swift project approvals being granted today by local, dispersed SEZs can be replicated by a single body in bureaucratically clogged-up Rome. In my latest op-ed, I argue why the government must keep some SEZ powers within the regions, or risk forgoing a key benefit of Italy's free zone programme. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments👇 https://lnkd.in/e9t-w3Ym Thank you to Aldo Cadau, Mirco Semeraro of Polis Avvocati - Studio legale and many others in Italy's #freezone community for sharing their views. #FDI #freezone #ZES #zoneeconomichespeciali #opinion

Great Book by Economist, James Gerber. Key takeaways: *Border cities as bridges: The book emphasizes that these cities act as crucial connectors between the two countries, facilitating economic integration and cultural exchange. *Challenges and opportunities: It examines how border cities navigate complex issues such as immigration, trade, and security, while also exploring the potential for economic growth stemming from their binational identity. *Economic interdependence: "Border Economies" underscores the interconnectedness of these cities, showcasing how events and policies on one side of the border significantly impact the other. Remy Martínez-Cantú, PhD.

Italy: a country of thinkers, inventors... and terrible politicians. As an Italian who worked in China for 20 years, I deplore the decision of the Roman government to pull out of the Belt and Road Initiative. Mind, BRI has several obscure areas but remains the 21th century's most significant project of global cooperation, and the only one with a clear focus on the Global South. Italy, the fulcrum of West-East trade for millennia, could and should have had a role in it. More importantly, as any first-year psychology student knows, pulling out of the initiative AFTER entering is a much worse decision than not entering at all. It will be inevitably perceived by China as a hostile move and it will damage the interests of Italian business exchanges with China, and of Italy as a whole. Machiavelli wrote: "If an injury has to be done it should be so severe that vengeance need not be feared". Instead, the Italian government inflict vain injuries, causing the Italian economy to fear greater vengeance. #beltandroadinitiative #beltandroad #chineseeconomy #meloni

Why does Georgia matter as part of the broader picture, and why is losing #Saqartvelo as a strategic partner not a viable option for the US and Western Europe? Georgia, a South Caucasus country located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, is a small but a dynamic open market bolstered by international #trade, #tourism, and #transportation. It has long offered a window for Western companies to Eurasia, a fascinating and a culturally rich part of the world that during and in the immediate aftermath of the Soviet collapse had been a largely uncharted territory for foreign investors. Strong economic performance in post-COVID years has attributed to tourism revenues, surge in (Ukraine) war-related immigration, financial inflows, and increased transit trade. It is a country that has favorably compared to regional peers for business and investment. Despite significant concerns (even before the most recent pivot away from the West and the ongoing democratic backsliding) over judicial and media independence (or lack thereof), as well as foreign investors' regular complaints about municipal decision-making, intellectual property rights enforcement, anti-trust policies, and political meddling, for a long time, Georgia remained a reliable business destination in the region. Below are just a few more highlights: 🇬🇪 Priority Sectors: Transit and logistics are key focus areas for Georgia to leverage increased East-West trade. 🇬🇪 Railroad Development: The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad has improved Georgia's transit prospects. 🇬🇪 Strategic Location: Georgia has been vying to position itself as an East-West transit and trade corridor for goods and energy in light of its strategically important Black Sea location. 🇬🇪 Middle Corridor: Increased cargo through the "Middle Corridor" from Central Asia, as the route through #Russia is now sufficiently riskier. 🇬🇪 Port Development: The latest tender win by a US-sanctioned Chinese company of the the deep sea Anaklia Black Sea Port project, previously canceled in 2020, is another major attraction, but one that is, for obvious reasons, all the more complicated now given the Chinese engagement. While tensions surrounding the breakaway territories and the administrative boundary lines, as well as Georgia's increased re-engagement with Russia have served as sources of significant concern for Western partners, Tbilisi's multi-vectored foreign policy was an almost-credible (even if at times a rather weak) justification for the ruling regime... until recently. Is giving Georgia up for grabs and allowing Russia to make its splash of a re-entry onto the S. Caucasus scene something the West can afford? 🤔 #geopolitics #SouthCaucasus #Eurasia #foreigninvestment #FDI

🇨🇳 The original spirit behind China's #BeltandRoad Initiative, when it was launched, was to expand the country's economic power and #trade power across the world. ... but that was 10 years ago, already. ⏳ So what's the current status on Beijing's much-touted "New #SilkRoad"? Read Singapore-based journalist Lin Abu's in-depth article for Chinese-language digital media #TheInitium. ⤵️

Join Samuel Associates as we venture to Iceland and Greenland, in partnership with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) on a U.S. Government-sponsored business expedition. The visit isn't just diplomacy; it's about forging deeper business ties with the Arctic. Why? The Arctic boasts unique opportunities amid its distinct challenges. We aim to directly connect with local stakeholders, uncovering the Arctic business landscape. This will guide future investments, stimulating regional growth and development. Leading is Artur Wilczynski, Samuel Associates' Senior Strategy Advisor & former Canadian Ambassador to Norway. Alongside him are Samuel's executive staff Aliénor Peyrefitte and Louis E. Romet. CIPE’s senior reps will co-facilitate, reinforcing the importance of private enterprise in strengthening democracies. Building strong connections between governments, businesses, and other Arctic entities. The goal? Sustainable business models that reflect the Arctic's essence and showcase the economic importance of regions like Greenland. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eNfn5NX5 #ArcticEconomicMission #SamuelAssociates #CIPE #SustainableBusiness #governmentofcanada #usgovernment #canadianbusiness #usbusiness

“Canberra is more than just a city – it is our nation’s capital. It is the centre of our democracy. It is where our stories and history are shared through our national institutions, it is a representation of our values and aspirations. It is an expression of who we are as a nation to the world. However, the public discussion around our city is often critical. We don’t see the national pride and affection for Canberra that befits a national capital. It is acceptable, or even politically advantageous, for public figures to criticise Canberra in a way it is not for any other city. This is not only disheartening for those of us who know and love Canberra and all it has to offer, but it can impact the policy decisions made about investment into our nation’s capital. … As a city belonging to all Australians, the benefits of investing in our city are not just for Canberrans, but for the entire nation.” #canberra #politics #australia https://lnkd.in/gHRrgQcw