| During this week several significant events transpired | | | | largest car industry worldwide, expressed its positive |
| particularly in the industrial world. These changes have | | | | outlook regarding its business. Earlier this year, the |
| influenced directly or indirectly not only the growing | | | | automaker released its latest goods and empowered |
| global trade, but likewise the developing economy of | | | | its competitiveness in certain areas. The company is |
| countries worldwide. On one hand, some events have | | | | expecting its sales to increase in 2007 and |
| positively contributed to the various sectors of | | | | 2008.Meanwhile, General Motors stated last Monday |
| international or local economy and they serve as | | | | that it would sell back 17.4% of its share to Suzuki |
| harbingers of more future developments. On the other | | | | Motor Corp. This decision was made by the large U.S |
| hand, there were also events that have negatively | | | | car industry to boost its balance and improve its |
| impacted and in fact continue to threaten the various | | | | shared in the market. Moreover, GM has also been |
| sectors of both international and local trade and | | | | planning to sell a significant percentage of its shares |
| economy.Oil Price Continues to Improve in the Global | | | | from General Motors Acceptance Corp, its financial |
| MarketThis week has been full of good news for oil | | | | department. Among the rumored bidders is the |
| traders. Last Monday, oil rate plummeted by $2. As | | | | Norinchukin Bank. Currently, Norinchukin is one of the |
| such, U.S crude oil dipped down to $1.6 thus settling to | | | | leading financial companies in Japan. Other companies |
| a rate of $62.41 per barrel at the Merchantile | | | | that expressed their desire to bid were Citigroup and |
| Exchange (New York). The decrease also calmed | | | | Cerberus Capital Management. Citigroup is, currently, |
| down a 4-day protest prompted by the oil price, which | | | | the biggest bank in the United States.Global Trade |
| previously raised up to $63.92 per barrel. Meanwhile, | | | | Witness Some of the Most Important TrialsFinally, the |
| the rate of oil in Nigeria continued to increase. This was | | | | four former administrators of Ahold faced the court on |
| due to the recent discovery of an oil pipe leak and the | | | | charges of fraud. Ahold was considered as the |
| militant protests, which forced Nigeria to cut a large | | | | biggest supermarket and retailer in the world. |
| percentage of its oil production and supply. Although | | | | Moreover, it served as an icon of success and stability |
| the situation of Nigeria affected the international oil | | | | in the business world. Yet this reputation was tainted |
| trade, it did not keep the rate of oil from improving. The | | | | when its former directors admitted to have falsified |
| significant decrease has been attributed to current | | | | documents thus misleading several investors including |
| negotiations with Iran regarding its plans for nuclear | | | | the company's own accountants.Microsoft Corporation |
| production.Last Tuesday, the oil rate slipped further by | | | | also sought last Friday the aid of the U.S federal |
| 2% ($1.26). Hence, U.S crude oil settled to a price of | | | | courts in order to pressure IBM, Novell Inc., Oracle |
| $61.58 per barrel. Meanwhile in London, brent crude | | | | Corp., and Sun Microsystems Inc. in order to hand |
| decreased by 1.32 cents and remained at $61.02. The | | | | certain documents necessary in its dispute against the |
| same trend was followed by the rest of the oil market | | | | European Commission. In 2004, EC fined the giant |
| worldwide. Oil value further improved due to Nigeria's | | | | company after discovering that Microsoft used its |
| statement to restore a large part of its production and | | | | position to damage the other developers of softwares, |
| supply and to OPEC's decision to maintain out near the | | | | which are vital for printers, pass log-ins, and file access. |
| maximum level. Nigeria would increase its output by | | | | The company, which did not yet fulfill its sanctions |
| 75% in the coming weeks. The OPEC officials, too, | | | | according to the EC, asked the case to be tried in |
| said that they would keep oil production and supply | | | | Luxembourg. It was found out though that the other |
| close to the limit in order to avoid gaps and prevent | | | | evidences asked by Microsoft pertained to the internal |
| the oil price from increasing.After the Energy | | | | archives of the EC subject to its own rules and |
| Information Administration (EIA) released its report that | | | | norms.Netac Technology, based in mainland China, also |
| crude oil inventories rose beyond the expected rates | | | | made historical headlines last month after charging U.S |
| during the past 7 years, the oil rate slipped further last | | | | company PNY Technologies for infringement. Although |
| Wednesday by 2.5%. Based on the report, the | | | | the news came as a surprise for many Americans, |
| inventories rose as high as 6.8M barrels during the past | | | | some analysts consider it as a harbinger of future |
| week. The results exceeded the expected rate of | | | | possibilities in the technological industry. Many U.S and |
| 1.6M barrels. Analysts added that the decision of | | | | other foreign companies were also expecting that |
| OPEC to maintain the oil output close to the limit also | | | | China would finally intensify its fight against piracy after |
| contributed to this improvement. Another factor | | | | experiencing the need to protect its own products and |
| considered was Iran's statement to maintain an | | | | trademarks. Recently, China has received foreign |
| adequate oil production and supply amidst the | | | | complaints particularly a warning from the Washington |
| negotiations regarding its nuclear plans.Several | | | | regarding the widespread piracy in the Asian |
| Partnerships Yield More Improvements in the World | | | | country.U.S. Encounter Recommendations and |
| TradeAT&T Inc. disclosed last Sunday its decision to | | | | Feedbacks in Trade and InvestmentRecently, |
| acquire BellSouth Corp. for around $67B. This move | | | | trademark experts strongly emphasized the |
| was part of AT&T's plan for further expansion | | | | responsibility of American Business to register their |
| especially in the southeastern region of the U.S. The | | | | names immediately in China. This was necessary in |
| agreement between the two companies would then | | | | order to avoid falling as preys of brand squatters. |
| bring Cingular Wireless, the leading wireless phone | | | | Stephen Baker, who works at Baker & Rannells as a |
| company in the U.S, under the sole ownership of | | | | trademark lawyer, stated the increase of brand |
| AT&T. The deal would be completed within the span | | | | squatting cases. Alarmingly, some of these brand |
| of one year. Although the transaction would need the | | | | squatters even successfully obtained a huge amount |
| approval of the anti-trust administrators including the | | | | of cash from individuals or big time companies that |
| Federal Communications Commission, analysts | | | | sought to maintain and fully own their web domain |
| commented that the process would probably not | | | | name. He commented that regardless whether U.S |
| encounter any opposition.Upon the release of the | | | | firms have future plans to expand in China, enlisting |
| news regarding AT&T's acquisition of BellSouth, the | | | | their trademark was necessary.The interference of |
| stocks at the European telecom market significantly | | | | the U.S Republic Senators against the Dubai Ports |
| improved. The European division of DJ Stoxx | | | | World also roused concerns that it would affect an |
| telecoms rose by 2.2% thus ensuring more stability for | | | | $8B investment of UAE into the U.S regarding an |
| 2006. BT earned as high as 4.3% up to a 7-month | | | | early-warning system. Although the deal was already |
| pence. Both the French and the Dutch telecom | | | | approved previously, the protest from the senators |
| improved by 2%. Vodafone increased as high as 4.7% | | | | pushed the government to make another review |
| to a close 2 month 127.20 British pounds. The news of | | | | period. But businessmen and analysts particularly the |
| the acquisition excited several international telecom | | | | American Business Group of Abu Dhabi (ABG) based |
| companies thus leaving positive results in this particular | | | | in UAE stated that stopping the agreement could |
| sector of trade.Meanwhile in the gas industry, Linde | | | | affect the decision of Arabs in investing their money |
| AG, a leading supplier of medical and industrial gases | | | | into the country. As such, the organization would be |
| and producer of warehouse machinery, agreed to pay | | | | sending its representatives to talk with some 120 |
| 8.2B pounds ($14.$B) in order to acquire its rival, the | | | | Republican Senators.China Faces Several Issues |
| British BOC Group. According to analysts, a | | | | Significant to its Economy and Position in the World |
| counter-bid to buy BOC was least expected due to | | | | TradeAccording to reports, several trading partners of |
| the pressure in the entire gas trade and the | | | | China might raise their complaints against the country |
| competitive amount proposed by Linde. The acquisition | | | | at the World Trade Organization. The move would be |
| further boosted the assets and profits of the German | | | | part of the traders' objective of pushing Beijing in order |
| company and placed it to the top place along with | | | | to effectively implement the international rules of trade. |
| French Air Liquide as a leading gas industry | | | | According to a U.S senior official, several trading |
| worldwide.Amidst the planned agreement of | | | | partners of China may raise their complaints against |
| partnership with Arcelor, the Mittal family was rumored | | | | the country at the World Trade Organization. The |
| to lower its voting rights from 10-2 down to 2-1. This | | | | move would be part of the traders' objective of |
| step would enable the Mittal clan to earn the support | | | | pushing Beijing in order to effectively implement the |
| of many large investors and to still maintain a large | | | | international rules of trade. James Mendenhall, the |
| percentage of voting stake. The leading steel | | | | general adviser for the office of the United Sates |
| company though denied those reports and stated that | | | | Trade Representative commented that the efforts of |
| it would not precede the possible result of its | | | | China to fight piracy was not yet enough since the |
| negotiations with Arcelor, which is based in | | | | problem has continued to spread and affect other |
| Luxembourg. The partnership though encountered | | | | foreign industries.Meanwhile, John Snow, the Treasury |
| several disapprovals thus causing the stocks of both | | | | Secretary, also said that China needed to initiate more |
| companies to decrease.A month ago, Whirlpool Corp. | | | | changes in its currency. He added that the need for |
| also disclosed its negotiations in order to buy Maytag | | | | more flexibility in its currency was necessary since its |
| Corp. Although both companies have not yet arrived | | | | role in the international trade was expanding due to its |
| at a decision, the proposed agreement has been | | | | growing economy. Snow commented that promoting |
| opposed by the anti-trust division of the Justice | | | | equal trade in the international market was a common |
| Department. Recently, the sector has begun focusing | | | | responsibility of all nations involved.Cuban Tobacco and |
| its attention to the laundry appliance industry. Lawyers | | | | Spirits Industry to Expand in RussiaExporters of Cuba |
| from the anti-trust department have initiated the | | | | rum and cigarette announced their plan to establish a |
| process by gathering the testimonies of various rival | | | | Floridita bar in Moscow, Russia. The chain of |
| companies regarding the possible impact of the | | | | restaurants has earned its fame through the years by |
| merging to the entire appliance market. The deal would | | | | accommodating many Hollywood celebrities and other |
| amount to $1.7B thus giving birth to the largest | | | | personalities especially in 1940's and 1950's. The said |
| appliance manufacturer in the global market. Due to | | | | bar would be a blend of a fine restaurant, a cigarette |
| the opposition, the shares of both companies | | | | shop, and great Cuban music. The opening of the bar |
| decreased.Nike Inc. which is the number one athletic | | | | was hoped to improve the trade of Cuban tobacco |
| shoe producer worldwide, was rumored to buy Puma. | | | | and spirits in Russia.New Vaccine May Prevent Ear |
| The company denied the reports though and further | | | | Infection among ChildrenGlaxoSmithKline Plc has |
| supported its statement by saying that it expects | | | | recently discovered a powerful vaccine that could aid |
| more developments and expansion in its own products | | | | in the prevention of acute otitis media. The ear |
| particularly with goods related to soccer sports. Nike, | | | | infection is among the common health problems that |
| which would be sponsoring the 2006 World Cup in | | | | arise during the childhood phase and has led to the |
| Germany, said that it would launch a wider advertising | | | | loss of the hearing capacity of many kids worldwide. |
| campaign compared to its efforts during the World | | | | Yet, the new treatment developed by the |
| Cup in Asia in 2002.Automobile Companies Seek | | | | pharmaceutical company brings plenty of promises to |
| Ways to Stabilize and Improve Their MarketAlthough a | | | | many children who are at risk of ear infection. The |
| decline is expected in the car industry next year, | | | | medicine called Streptorix is still subject to the approval |
| automakers are moving to stabilize and improve their | | | | of both the European and the U.S regulatory board. |
| sales and profits. Particularly, DaimlerChrysler, the 5th | | | | |