Troubled waters in Pakistan: From EIU Chief Economist

aug 19th, 2010

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: EIU weekly newsletter <newsletter@news.eiu.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 5:34 

From our Chief Economist Thursday August 12th, 2010     Our lead article this week covers Pakistan's worst flooding in 80 years. The government has struggled to respond to such a large–scale crisis, fuelling popular anger towards Asif Ali Zardari, the president. The economic impact will be considerable—inflation, in particular, will remain a major worry. Staying in Asia, we also examine a free–trade deal between ASEAN and China: the ASEAN–China Free–Trade Agreement. This is one of ASEAN's most ambitious initiatives yet, but the economic benefits for the bloc are uncertain.   Our next article looks at the health of eastern Europe's banks. In most countries lending has stabilised, and in some it is even growing again. But weaknesses among west European banks active in the region could yet have negative repercussions. Moving to Latin America, an article from our Risk Briefing service focuses on the security outlook for Colombia following the inauguration of the new president, Juan Manuel Santos. It will be difficult to root out an established drug–trafficking presence at the same time as maintaining sufficient pressure on the FARC.   Next, an Industry Briefing article looks at efforts by governments worldwide to standardise electric vehicle technology. With several different standards emerging, there are doubts over whether carmakers will co-operate. Finally, we highlight the perils of embellishing a resume or taking credit for others' work in the internet age, in an article from Executive Briefing. Left unchecked, exaggerations that seemed innocuous at first could result in serious, potentially career–ending consequences.   How do these issues affect your business? Please let me know at: robinlbew@eiu.com   Best regards, Robin Bew Chief Economist P.S. If you are looking for analysis or data on a particular region, or have any other queries you think the Economist Intelligence Unit could help with, please get in touch with your local office by phone or email. EDITOR'S CHOICE PAKISTAN: TROUBLED WATERS Severe flooding threatens the economy. The government's weak response to the crisis has provided further ammunition for critics of President Asif Ali Zardari. ASIA: CHINA GAMBLE ASEAN's free–trade agreement with China is ambitious. But the economic benefits for the region are uncertain, given fears of the effects of further opening trade to China. EASTERN EUROPE: FURTHER TESTS AWAIT Earlier fears of a retrenchment by west European banks in the region proved largely unfounded. But new strains may emerge as official support is withdrawn. COLOMBIA: SECURITY SITUATION The new president, Juan Manuel Santos, is likely to maintain his predecessor's "democratic security" policies and continue to put pressure on the FARC. WORLD: STRIVING TO STANDARDISE Governments worldwide are keen to standardise electric vehicle technology. Are the Japanese winning, and will all carmakers sign up? WORLD: EXAGGERATIONS AND MISSTATEMENTS Embellishing a resume, or taking credit for others' work, is commonplace, but in the internet world, self–editing is more important than ever.

JOIN US ONLINE LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

MEDIA ENQUIRIES If you would like to contact our analysts regarding media enquiries, please contact Joanne McKenna, Press Liaison: +44 (0)20 7576 8188, joannemckenna@eiu.com.

Economist Intelligence Unit 26 Red Lion Square | London, WC1R 4HQ | United Kingdom