http://www.icom7.com/en/RSS of the News - icom7 is a sharing community in the International Trade, Business and commerceenicom7icom7.com60http://www.icom7.com/templ/img/icom7_200.pnghttp://www.icom7.com/en/14443http://www.icom7.com/en/news/dubai-conference-to-give-the-lowdown-on-arbitral-awards.php<p>Understanding the nature and impact of an arbitral award and the issues at stake in an arbitral proceeding will be the subject of an ICC conference, to take place in Dubai on 19-20 October 2010.</p> <p>When it comes to cross-border dispute resolution, arbitration is by far the most commonly used alternative to litigation with arbitral awards enjoying much greater international recognition than judgements of national courts,</p> <p>Hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the two-day conference will examine various aspects of arbitral awards ranging from their historical perspective and theoretical basis, to technical and practical sessions designed to promote efficiency of the arbitral process.</p> <p>Providing[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=164#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina]Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:26:41 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/dubai-conference-to-give-the-lowdown-on-arbitral-awards.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-sponsors-colloquium-on-arbitration-and-sport.php<p>The increasing use of arbitration in sport over the last decade has challenged the legal framework in which arbitration disputes are addressed in many jurisdictions.</p> <p>Recent controversies, including the decisions of the Swiss Supreme Court on the Court of Arbitration for Sports Jurisdiction, the legal consequences of misconduct in Formula One, and the sporting consequences of irregularities at West Ham Football Club in London, illustrate the increasing need for arbitration in disputes involving professional sports.</p> <p>The arbitral system is under strain both externally and internally, the latter visibly evidenced by increasing controversies over conflicts of interest between arbitrators and counsel, and the potential liability of arbitral[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=163#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques]Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:16:20 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-sponsors-colloquium-on-arbitration-and-sport.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/international-chamber-of-commerce-launches-incoterms-2010.php<p><strong>ICC launches Incoterms® 2010 rules with major conference and accredited masterclasses in September in Paris</strong></p> <p>On 27-29 September, for a one-off launch conference and the first of ICC headquarters’ series of practical masterclasses on the Incoterms® 2010 rules, members of the Incoterms® Drafting Group will give a detailed public presentation of the new rules and demonstrate through case-studies the major changes and processes that users will need to know in their everyday practice.</p> <p>The revision, the first in a decade, reflects the profound changes that have taken place in global trade since 2000. These include the increased importance of cargo security, the resulting new obligations on[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=162#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques]Sat, 24 Jul 2010 12:26:02 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/international-chamber-of-commerce-launches-incoterms-2010.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/seven-european-union-banks-fail-stress-tests.php<p><strong>Seven of the 91 European banks that underwent stress tests have failed the healthchecks, the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) has said.</strong></p> <p>They include five Spanish banks - Diada, Espiga, Banca Civica, Unnim and Cajasur. The other two were Germany's Hypo Real Estate and Greece's ATEbank.</p> <p>The tests assessed banks' ability to survive future economic shocks.</p> <p>The seven banks would need a total of 3.5bn euros (£3bn) of new capital to meet the standards required, CEBS said.</p> <p>"[The failed banks] will have to agree with their respective supervisors a plan over a given time period which will explain how this weakness will be[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=160#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques]Sat, 24 Jul 2010 12:21:40 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/seven-european-union-banks-fail-stress-tests.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/swift-ii-civil-liberties-committee-approves-draft-agreement.php<p>Parliament should approve the reworked EU-USA SWIFT bank data transfer agreement this week, said the Civil Liberties Committee on Monday. MEPs rejected the previous agreement four months ago, but have since negotiated certain safeguards with the Council and the US Treasury Department, and won an undertaking that the EU will develop a system that precludes the need to transfer data in bulk to the USA.</p> <p>The recommendation that Parliament as a whole authorise the conclusion of SWIFT II was drafted by Alexander Alvaro (ALDE, DE), and approved in committee with 41 votes in favour, 9 against and 1 abstention. If Parliament backs it in plenary on Thursday at noon, the agreement will come into force on 1 August.</p> <p>The key to the deal for the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=159#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina Temgo]Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:36:02 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/swift-ii-civil-liberties-committee-approves-draft-agreement.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/plan-for-tighter-economic-coordination-and-surveillance-.php<p><strong>The Communication develops the proposals for greater economic policy co-ordination and surveillance, sets out effective enforcement mechanisms, and proposes a European semester for policy co-ordination</strong></p> <p>Communication on enhancing economic policy coordination for stability, growth and jobs and tools for stronger EU economic governance</p> <p>The purpose of the Communication is to develop further the policy ideas set out in the Commission Communication of 12 May 2010[1] and build on the orientations agreed at the 17 June 2010 European Council, reflecting the progress to date of the Task Force on economic governance. The Communication also responds to the invitation of the European Council to the Task Force and the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=158#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques]Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:31:05 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/plan-for-tighter-economic-coordination-and-surveillance-.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new-rules-for-demand-guarantees-effective-1-july.php<p>Securing an array of international and domestic monetary and performance obligations, ICC's new Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees (URDG) enter into effect tomorrow.</p> <p>Successor to URDG 458, the extensively updated rules, URDG 758 will help bring financial stability to markets rocked by the global recession by setting out the liabilities and responsibilities of parties at each stage of the guarantee lifecycle. As of 1 July 2010, any reference to URDG in a demand guarantee or counter-guarantee leads to the new URDG 758 applying to the undertaking. </p> <p>Adopted on 3 December 2009 by the ICC Executive Board URDG 758 will apply to billions of US dollars in aggregate of outstanding guarantees in all sectors of trade and industry including[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=157#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques]Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:26:27 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new-rules-for-demand-guarantees-effective-1-july.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/debt-woes-bank-taxes-and-growth-plan-dominate-eu-summit.php<p>Leaders move to restore confidence in Europe’s financial stability and reinforce economic governance.</p> <p>EU leaders have decided to publicly release the results of ongoing tests on European banks to reassure markets that the bloc is financially stable despite the debt burden weighing on countries.</p> <p>Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso had strongly urged EU leaders to disclose the results of the so-called stress tests, which indicate whether a bank can withstand shocks to the economy.</p> <p>This should reassure investors by either lifting unfounded suspicion or by dealing with the remaining problems that may exist, he said. Twenty-five of Europe’s biggest banks are being checked, with results due out in the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=156#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:08:19 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/debt-woes-bank-taxes-and-growth-plan-dominate-eu-summit.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/bank-data-transfers-commission-presents-draft-euus-deal.php<p>The agreement assigns Europol the role of verifying that data requested by the US is needed for tracking terrorism. It also gives Europeans the right to block transfers of their personal data. The deal needs the consent of Parliament, which rejected an earlier agreement out of concern it could violate people’s privacy.</p> <p>The US is seeking EU consent for access to European data from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, a messaging network headquartered in Belgium that is used by banks and financial institutions worldwide. The SWIFT database records millions of international bank transfers every day.</p> <p>EU lawmakers have voiced concerns that sharing data on bank transfers could violate privacy. Earlier this[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=155#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques]Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:21:20 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/bank-data-transfers-commission-presents-draft-euus-deal.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/chambers-to-unveil-key-innovations.php<p>Chambers from around the world are invited to join the fourth meeting of France’s local and regional chambers (CCIPRO) as they showcase their latest products and services on 1 - 2 July in Nice, on the French Riviera.</p> <p>CCIPRO has been held every two years since it launched in 2004. The event is an invaluable forum for chambers of commerce, especially for those operating under mandatory membership systems, to profile new products and services that support the economic development of local businesses and regions.</p> <p>WCF has supported CCIPRO since the event began, as they both share the same mission of fostering peer learning and promoting the best chamber practices.</p> <p>CCIPRO offers a great opportunity for[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=154#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [guiffo]Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:42:03 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/chambers-to-unveil-key-innovations.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/supervision-of-credit-rating-agencies-in-eu.php<p><strong>New legislation for pan-European supervision of credit rating agencies and a public debate on how financial institutions are managed.</strong></p> <p>The commission's proposals on credit rating agencies were already planned as part of the EU's new system for supervising the financial industry - endorsed by EU leaders last year. But the draft rules come amid fresh calls for tighter oversight of these private companies.</p> <p>Investors rely on rating agencies to provide information on the risks of assets. The agencies are important to the stability of the financial markets and have a huge impact on the availability and cost of credit. They have drawn criticism for contributing to the financial crisis by underestimating[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=153#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [jacques guiffo]Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:49:44 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/supervision-of-credit-rating-agencies-in-eu.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-weighs-pros-and-cons-of-tougher-emissions-targets.php<p>Study shows cost of responses to global warming is lower today than in 2008, when the EU adopted its climate change goals.</p> <p>Ahead of next week's UN climate talks, the EU has issued a study on the feasibility of toughening its emission reduction targets.</p> <p>The EU has already committed to a cutback in greenhouse gases of at least 20% on 1990 levels by 2020. At the UN climate conference in Copenhagen the bloc pledged to raise that target to 30% if other large polluting countries do the same. With no agreement so far, environment ministers have asked the commission to study the feasibility of the EU going it alone. The results were presented by Connie Hedegaard, commissioner for climate action.</p> <p>The study estimates the 30%[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=151#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sun, 30 May 2010 10:18:51 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-weighs-pros-and-cons-of-tougher-emissions-targets.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/estonia-ready-for-euro--eu.php<p>Eight other countries still not ready to join the euro area.</p> <p>Six years after it joined the EU, Estonia meets the requirements for adopting the euro.</p> <p>The commission announced today that it would recommend that EU governments let the country switch to the currency in January next year. Estonia, which currently uses the kroon, would become the 17th nation to adopt the euro.</p> <p>The announcement was accompanied by a new report showing eight other EU countries do not yet satisfy the conditions for euro area membership - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden. The UK and Denmark have opted not to join.</p> <p>To qualify, candidates must show that their public finances are[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=150#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina]Thu, 13 May 2010 13:07:24 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/estonia-ready-for-euro--eu.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/european-stabilisation-mechanism-adopted.php<p>On 9 May, the EU's finance ministers adopted a regulation establishing a European financial stabilisation mechanism with a total volume of up to 500 billion euros. The mechanism is part of a comprehensive package of measures to redress the financial situation in Europe.</p> <p>According to the regulation, member states in difficulties caused by exceptional circumstances beyond their control may ask for financial assistance from the mechanism. These circumstances could be a serious deterioration in the international economic and financial environment. It should allow the Union to respond in a coordinated, rapid and effective manner. Its activation will be subject to strong conditionality to preserve the sustainability of public finances of the beneficiary member[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=149#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina]Wed, 12 May 2010 11:26:24 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/european-stabilisation-mechanism-adopted.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-competition-celebrates-journalism-that-sheds-light-on-discrimination-issues.php<p>Annual EU competition celebrates journalism that sheds light on discrimination issues in Europe.</p> <p>About 16% of Europeans questioned in a recent EU survey say they have been victims of discrimination at least once in the last year. The findings suggest discrimination is a widespread problem and not limited to minority groups.</p> <p>The EU has extensive laws against discrimination, with the first gender equality legislation dating back to 1957. In 2000 the EU adopted groundbreaking laws against discrimination in the workplace on grounds of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age and sexual orientation. Racial and ethnic prejudice was also banned in education, social security, healthcare and access goods and services, including[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=148#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina]Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:40:00 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-competition-celebrates-journalism-that-sheds-light-on-discrimination-issues.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-proposals-for-developing-the-market-for-clean-and-efficient-cars.php<p>Giving a boost to electric cars, the commission announced plans today to promote the development of a network of publicly accessible high-voltage charging stations around Europe. It also aims to produce European safety and technical standards for these stations by 2011.</p> <p>The plan is part of a sweeping new strategy for introducing more ‘green’ cars to the market, seen as crucial to reviving the car industry and weaning Europe off oil. The approach embraces efficient petrol-powered vehicles, as well as electric cars and models that run on natural gas, biofuels and hydrogen.</p> <p>Industry commissioner Antonio Tajani says the auto industry has entered a “defining phase” for its future success. The strategy[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=147#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina]Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:35:45 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-proposals-for-developing-the-market-for-clean-and-efficient-cars.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/future-of-european-agriculture--have-your-say.php<p>EU opens public debate on its agricultural policy, the prelude to a major reform in 2013.</p> <p>The commission announced plans this week to overhaul its agricultural policy in line with the EU's new long-term economic strategy.</p> <p>In a speech at the European parliament, agriculture commissioner Dacian Cioloş, said the current policy faces major challenges, including climate change, problems with food availability and pressures on resources and rural economies.</p> <p>Changes will be proposed toward the end of this year, after the commission has reviewed the public comments. They would take effect after the current programme of funding expires in 2013.</p> <p>It is hoped the consultation, which ends in June, will draw[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=146#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina]Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:31:34 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/future-of-european-agriculture--have-your-say.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-summit-2020-economic-targets-on-research-climate-and-employment-endorsed.php<p><strong>EU leaders agree to cooperate more on economic policy – part of a strategy to spur higher growth over the next decade. </strong></p> <p>The decision came at a meeting in Brussels, the leaders’ first formal discussions on the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy introduced by the commission last month.</p> <p>In a joint statement, they said they had agreed on most elements of the proposed plan, including greater coordination of national and European economic policy. They said more economic cooperation was necessary to recover from the financial crisis and confront long-term challenges like globalisation, climate change and an ageing population.</p> <p>They also accepted three quantitative targets[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=145#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:27:25 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-summit-2020-economic-targets-on-research-climate-and-employment-endorsed.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/forthcoming-spring-summit-in-teh-european-union.php<p>Employment, the economy and climate change are the main subjects on the agenda of the meeting of the European Council, chaired by Herman Van Rompuy, in Brussels on 25 and 26 March.</p> <p>The EU heads of state and government will discuss the new strategy for jobs and growth that is to replace the Lisbon strategy. There is a clear need to re-launch the economy in order to protect the European social model. The summit is expected to determine the broad thrust of the new strategy.</p> <p>Economic government and the coordination of policies will be another point of discussion, in particular divergences in competitiveness within the EU and externally as well as developments in the balance of payments.</p> <p>The leaders will also discuss the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=144#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques]Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:40:06 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/forthcoming-spring-summit-in-teh-european-union.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/divorce-freer-choice-of-eu-legal-systems-for-international-couples.php<p><strong>More legal certainty for cross-border marriages</strong><br /> New rules in 10 EU countries would let international couples choose which country’s law applies to their divorces.</p> <p>About 1 million couples file for divorce in the EU every year. But it isn’t always clear which country’s laws will apply to a divorce case – if, for example, the partners are from different countries. Or if they are from the same country but live abroad or if they are living apart in different countries. It can get very complicated.</p> <p>Altogether ‘international couples’ account for 13% of divorces in the EU – the same share as for marriages. For these couples, the painful[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=143#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina]Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:25:51 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/divorce-freer-choice-of-eu-legal-systems-for-international-couples.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/chile-rebuilds-after-earthquake.php<p>The inauguration of Chile's new president was a moving moment for the EU's new commissioner for humanitarian aid - in more ways than one.</p> <p>Kristalina Georgieva attended the ceremony during a trip to inspect EU relief operations in areas of the South American country hit by last month's massive earthquake. The EU has mobilised €3m in aid and deployed experts to coordinate distribution of the supplies.</p> <p>Minutes before President Sebastián Piñera was to be sworn in at the Chilean parliament in the central city of Valparaiso, a major aftershock struck the coast, followed by two others over the next half hour. Yet no one ran for the exits and Mr. Piñera continued to greet world leaders as if[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=142#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina]Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:57:12 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/chile-rebuilds-after-earthquake.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/better-leaflets-for-prescription-medicines.php<p>Do you remember everything the doctor said during your short encounter about the medicine prescribed for you? Probably not. You've got questions and the leaflet with the medication doesn't help much.</p> <p>New rules currently under discussion aim to give citizens access to high-quality information on prescription medicines in a non-promotional way via the internet and health-related publications. Information would not be communicated via radio and TV.</p> <p>In a workshop on 4 March, MEPs and experts discussed how best to improve the information contained with prescription medicines and how to bring it all to the internet.</p> <p><strong>Information leaflets</strong> <br /> Professor Theo Raynor, from Leeds[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=141#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina Temgo]Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:01:31 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/better-leaflets-for-prescription-medicines.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/working-for-the-eu--new-selection-process.php<p>EU overhauls selection procedure for civil servants, shifting the focus from formal knowledge to actual knowhow.</p> <p>The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) hopes the new methods will speed up the process and lure people with more skills and experience.</p> <p>Every year tens of thousands of people apply for positions in the European civil service. They include interpreters, translators, lawyers, secretaries and administrators.</p> <p>Previously the process could take up to two years, starting with a battery of tests. This discouraged candidates, putting EU institutions at a disadvantage as would-be employers.</p> <p>"In an increasingly competitive job market, the European institutions have to be able to attract a[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=140#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:51:55 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/working-for-the-eu--new-selection-process.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/european-heritage-eu-adopts-label-for-cultural-sites.php<p>EU to highlight sites that celebrate and symbolise European integration, ideals and history</p> <p>The European Union is home to 500 million people. But most don't usually refer to themselves as EU citizens. When asked about their origins, they tend to answer in terms of their nationality.</p> <p>The lack of a strong European identity is seen as a challenge to integration in Europe, but it is hardly surprising. The continent is a vast smorgasbord of languages and customs where countries often seem more different than alike.</p> <p>To give Europeans a greater sense of belonging, the commission has decided to sponsor the European heritage label, a registry of historical sites whose significance transcends national borders. Launched by[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=139#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules]Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:24:34 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/european-heritage-eu-adopts-label-for-cultural-sites.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/international-womens-day-eu-promotes-gender-equality-in-developing-countries.php<p>Empowering women in the developing world is crucial for greater equality between the sexes.</p> <p>The EU's new action plan on gender equality will use development aid to promote its goals outside the EU. Announced on International Women's Day (8 March), the plan is intended to breathe new life into promises made at the 1995 UN conference on women in Beijing - a defining moment in the fight for women's rights. Since then, though, progress has been limited.</p> <p>The new initiative is a measure of the EU\'s commitment to gender equality - both within its borders and beyond. The issue embraces equal rights, access to resources like land and education, and participation in decision-making. And as the EU is the world's biggest[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=138#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina Temgo]Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:17:53 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/international-womens-day-eu-promotes-gender-equality-in-developing-countries.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/commission-unveils-10year-economic-strategy-for-europe.php<p>Commission sets out a 10-year strategy for reviving the European economy, casting a vision of ‘smart, sustainable, inclusive' growth rooted in greater coordination of national and European policy.</p> <p>Coming on the heels of the longest and deepest recession in EU history, the much-anticipated Europe 2020 plan acknowledges the huge challenges ahead. The economic crisis has exposed deep flaws in an economy already under strain from globalisation, pressures on resources and an ageing population. The commission's position is that these can be overcome if Europe is willing to embrace transformation to a greener, more innovative market that fosters social wellbeing.</p> <p>The strategy revolves around promoting low-carbon industries,[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=137#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina]Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:30:34 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/commission-unveils-10year-economic-strategy-for-europe.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/getting-back-to-work-in-the-european-union.php<p>As the economy recovers, EU countries will need to phase out crisis measures. The question is when?</p> <p>The worst recession since World War II has already wiped out the more than 4 million jobs created in Europe over the last decade. And with unemployment still rising – albeit at a slower rate – that number is expected to climb to 7.5 million by the end of 2010.</p> <p>But the losses could have been much worse. An EU report issued today says the rise in joblessness was not as steep as could have been expected from the drop in production. The report credits a combination of crisis measures and EU financial support with blunting the impact on labour markets.</p> <p>When the economic crisis engulfed Europe, most countries[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=136#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:54:37 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/getting-back-to-work-in-the-european-union.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-raises-stakes-with-72bn-in-climate-change-aid.php<p><strong>Summit addresses funding for climate action and financial reform</strong><br /> European leaders have pledged a total of €7.2bn over the next three years to help poorer nations cope with global warming, hoping to boost support for an agreement in Copenhagen.</p> <p>Besides wrangling over curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, negotiators at the UN conference in the Danish capital are struggling to decide who will foot the bill for climate adaptation projects in the developing world.</p> <p>At a meeting in October, EU leaders agreed that international public funding of about €5-7bn would be needed each year up to 2013 - and more in the long term. They also agreed to contribute to the global pot if other countries[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=135#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:45:32 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu-raises-stakes-with-72bn-in-climate-change-aid.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/european-union-enlargement-as-a-powerful-incentive.php<p>The process of enlargement of the EU gives strong encouragement to political and economic reform in countries aspiring to membership and contributes to stability in Europe. On 8 December, the General Affairs Council took stock of the negotiations with Turkey and Croatia, the case of Iceland and the stabilisation and association process in the Western Balkans.</p> <p>Croatia, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have all been candidate countries since 2005, but only the first two have started accession talks. The whole Western Balkan region has been granted a European perspective. Iceland applied for membership earlier this year.</p> <p>Whilst recognising the positive steps taken by Turkey, foreign ministers stressed that it should[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=134#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:40:40 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/european-union-enlargement-as-a-powerful-incentive.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-helping-business-representatives-in-copenhagen.php<p>With the largest business delegation ever seen at a UN climate change conference descending on Copenhagen over the next two weeks, ICC is hosting a number of events to help business representatives better understand UNFCCC processes and ICC’s special role at the conference.</p> <p>Speaking at a business breakfast meeting hosted by the Confederation of Danish Industries, Wendy Poulton, Chair of the ICC Energy Task Force, presented an overview of the current negotiations at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) currently taking place in Copenhagen, focusing on the diverging points of view between developed and developing countries.</p> <p>ICC has hosted, and will also host again on 14 December, special COP101 sessions[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=133#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina Temgo]Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:43:58 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-helping-business-representatives-in-copenhagen.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-announces-new-rules-for-demand-guarantees.php<p>ICC today announced a revised version of the Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees (URDG) destined to apply to hundreds of billions of dollars of demand guarantees securing monetary and performance obligations in a wide array of international and domestic contracts.</p> <p>The revised rules, the first in 18 years, were formally adopted by the ICC Executive Board at its meeting in New Delhi and will enter into force on 1 July 2010.</p> <p>The URDG have gained increasing worldwide acceptance over the years. They were adopted by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers in their model guarantee forms and later incorporated by the World Bank in all of its unconditional guarantee forms. The rules have also been endorsed by the United Nations[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=132#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:54:58 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-announces-new-rules-for-demand-guarantees.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/stockholm-programme--for-a-more-secure-europe.php<p>The EU's new five-year agenda in the field of freedom, security and justice, called the Stockholm programme, aims to make Europe more secure while safeguarding the citizen's rights. This strategic document was discussed by justice and home affairs ministers on 30 November and 1 December. It is due to be adopted by the European Council meeting on 10 and 11 December.</p> <p>According to the programme, the Union must be a single area in which fundamental freedoms and rights are protected. Citizens' privacy has to be preserved beyond national borders, especially by protecting personal data.</p> <p>Recognition of legal acts in other member states still faces barriers. Resources need to be mobilised to eliminate them. People should have easier[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=131#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:21:47 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/stockholm-programme--for-a-more-secure-europe.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/lisbon-treaty--a-fresh-start-for-the-european-union.php<p>New EU treaty ushered in with blaze of fireworks in the city where it all began.</p> <p>It was a long time in the making. But today the Lisbon treaty finally entered into force, introducing sweeping institutional changes designed to streamline decision-making and raise the EU's stature in international affairs.</p> <p>Hailed as the foundation for a more democratic, efficient and transparent union, the treaty brings to fruition a long quest to rewrite the EU's internal rules - all the more pressing after 10 more countries joined in 2004.</p> <p>"The treaty of Lisbon puts citizens at the centre of the European project," president Barroso said. "I'm delighted that we now have the right institutions to act and a[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=130#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:48:35 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/lisbon-treaty--a-fresh-start-for-the-european-union.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-highlights-getting-internet-policy-right-boosts-economic-growth.php<p>To spur economic recovery and drive growth, there must be awareness among world leaders to the advantages of getting Internet policy right.</p> <p>Speaking at a recent ICC Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS) workshop, held in partnership with the government of Lithuania, panellists determined that leaders were not fully aware of the long-term benefits and job creation potential of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs).</p> <p>Responding to a question from Ambassador David Gross, former US Coordinator for International Information and Communications Policy and a partner at the law firm of Wiley Rein, who attended the workshop, Aurimas Matulis, Director, Information Society Development Committee[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=129#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Guiffo Temgo]Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:42:33 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-highlights-getting-internet-policy-right-boosts-economic-growth.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/the-battle-over-the-made-in-logo-hots-up.php<p>The "Made in" logo for goods imported into the EU has been the subject of debate for years. Supporters say it will help protect European industry from counterfeiters and give shoppers clear information. However, countries like the UK and Germany have blocked it fearing it will place burdens on industry and stifle trade. The Treaty of Lisbon gives the EP more say on trade and as the Italian Vice-Chair of the Trade Committee, Cristiana Muscardini (EPP) explains, she wants to press the issue.</p> <p>This Wednesday (25 November) MEPs in Strasbourg voted in favour of a resolution calling for the issues to be reopened and for the legislative co-decision procedure to be put into effect between the Parliament and the Council of Ministers to try and find agreement.[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=128#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:48:58 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/the-battle-over-the-made-in-logo-hots-up.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/green-light-for-new-eu-telecoms-rules-by-the-european-parliament.php<p>Parliament has approved a major overhaul of EU telecoms rules, which will strengthen the rights of phone users and internet surfers and boost competition among telecoms firms. The new rules, to be implemented in the next eighteen months, will enhance consumer rights, safeguard internet freedom, protect data, boost competition and modernise radio spectrum use.</p> <p>The revised EU telecoms framework directive was adopted at the third and final reading by 510 votes to 40, with 24 abstentions.</p> <p>"This legislative package is a prime example of how the work we are doing as European legislators has an impact on the daily life of citizens. I am delighted that we have contributed to strengthening the rights of users of electronic communications and[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=127#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Temgo]Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:50:41 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/green-light-for-new-eu-telecoms-rules-by-the-european-parliament.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/global-economic-index-rises-again-but-problems-remain.php<p>Reflecting more favourable economic conditions for the coming six months but also a more positive assessment of the current situation, the World Economic Climate Indicator rose significantly in the fourth quarter for the third consecutive time following the sharp drops of last year.</p> <p>The indicator, published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Ifo Institute for Economic Research, rose to 90.4 points from 78.7 points in July, with the economic climate improving in all major economic regions, most significantly in Asia.</p> <p>“The recovery of the world economy is essentially due to the dynamism of Brazil, India, China and other Asian countries,” ICC Secretary General Jean Rozwadowski said. “There are[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=126#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Guiffo Temgo]Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:52:10 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/global-economic-index-rises-again-but-problems-remain.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-praises-new-united-nations-anticorruption-mechanism.php<p>ICC today hailed the success of a recent United Nations Convention Against Corruption (CAC) conference after it agreed on a new monitoring mechanism to determine whether the 142 signatory states are complying with their commitment to fight corruptive business practices.</p> <p>The agreed to mechanism is based on self-assessments and peer reviews by experts every five years and will be compiled in country review reports, with the executive summary of each report made public.</p> <p>“ICC considers that putting in place a monitoring mechanism is a necessary and welcome achievement,” said Francois Vincke, Chair of the ICC Commission on Anti-Corruption. “With the mechanism agreed to last week we are moving towards having a level[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=125#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Guiffo Temgo]Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:47:36 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-praises-new-united-nations-anticorruption-mechanism.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/70-of-ringtonescam-websites-corrected-or-closed-following-eu-probe.php<p>Authorities investigated 301 mobile phone services websites in follow-up to EU crackdown on misleading consumer practices.</p> <p>Authorities investigated 301 mobile phone services websites in follow-up to EU crackdown on misleading consumer practices.</p> <p>So far 54 have been shut down and 159 others “cleaned up” – forced to correct practices that violate EU consumer law. Italy fined nine content suppliers and mobile operators a total of about €2m in connection with the probe.</p> <p>The websites were among 558 scrutinised over a week in June 2008 – a 29-country operation carried out jointly by EU countries together with Norway and Iceland. All sell content for mobile phones, like[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=124#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:34:15 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/70-of-ringtonescam-websites-corrected-or-closed-following-eu-probe.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new-leadership-team-for-europe.php<p>The top posts created by the Lisbon treaty will be filled on the basis of political agreement reached unanimously at the informal meeting of EU heads of state and government on 19 November in Brussels. Herman Van Rompuy will leave his post of Belgian Prime Minister to become the President of the European Council.</p> <p>Herman Van Rompuy will be in charge of preparing and chairing the European Council's meetings and assuring the continuity of its work. He will also represent the EU on the international stage. His mandate covers two and a half years, renewable once.</p> <p>Catherine Ashton, currently in charge of trade in the European Commission, will take up the post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. She will chair the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=123#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:27:59 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new-leadership-team-for-europe.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/staying-on-top-of-change-creativity-and-innovation-in-europe.php<p>As part of the 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation, a diverse group of prominent scientists, artists, scholars and business executives - European ambassadors of the year – has come up with an ambitious manifesto.</p> <p>“The world is moving to a new rhythm", says the group. "To be at the forefront of this new world, Europe needs to become more creative and innovative”.</p> <p>They tell us that if Europe is to keep up in a rapidly changing world and successfully tackle challenges like the economic crisis and climate change, we will have to reinvent education, transform workplaces into learning sites, promote innovation, think globally, green the economy and more.</p> <p>Their words carry[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=122#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:31:47 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/staying-on-top-of-change-creativity-and-innovation-in-europe.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/global-economic-growth-depends-on-informed-internet-policymaking.php<p><strong>Global economic growth depends on informed Internet policymaking, business leaders tell Internet Governance Forum.<br /> Data shows 10% increase in Internet access boosts economic growth by 1.3%.</strong></p> <p>The future of the Internet is everyone’s concern. As a gateway to abundant resources that can help raise global living standards, the continued evolution and success of the Internet is essential. This was the message delivered today by business leaders to the UN-linked Internet Governance Forum (IGF), taking place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.</p> <p>Addressing over 1,000 participants during the opening ceremony of the forum, ICC Secretary General Jean Rozwadowski said: “Harnessed appropriately, the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=121#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Temgo]Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:20:48 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/global-economic-growth-depends-on-informed-internet-policymaking.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-chairman-expresses-concerns-on-economic-growth-protectionism.php<p>ICC Chairman Victor K. Fung today expressed concern over the sustainability of the current economic recovery and warned against an increase in protectionist moves that he said will only prolong the current downturn.</p> <p>Speaking to a group of leading businessmen at the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Singapore, Mr Fung said the global trading system was under a rising number of threats, notably the continuous stream of protectionist measures being enacted by countries around the world, most recently by the United States and China mutually imposing trade sanctions on various products.</p> <p>The ICC Chairman emphasized that protectionism must be avoided, particularly in times of crisis. “In 2009 we heard many pledges[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=120#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:35:50 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-chairman-expresses-concerns-on-economic-growth-protectionism.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/world-business-law-marks-30th-year-with-conference-on-multiparty-arbitration.php<p>ICC Institute of World Business Law marks 30th year with conference on multiparty arbitration.<br /> The ICC Institute of World Business Law will celebrate its 30th anniversary by returning to the theme discussed at its first annual conference – multiparty arbitration.</p> <p>Because of the increasing number and complexity of commercial transactions, a growing number of international arbitrations involve disputes arising from or connected with more than one contract and more than two claimants or respondents.</p> <p>“Users of international arbitration and those who administer the proceedings continue to grapple with the issues raised by the arbitration of disputes involving more than two parties,” said Eric Schwartz,[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=119#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Guiffo Temgo]Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:25:44 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/world-business-law-marks-30th-year-with-conference-on-multiparty-arbitration.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-provides-strong-business-presence-at-barcelona-climate-change-meeting.php<p>ICC provides strong business presence at Barcelona climate change meeting.<br /> ICC provided a strong business presence at the last preparatory meeting before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Copenhagen in December. Leading the delegation in Barcelona was Chair of the ICC Commission on Environment and Energy, Laurent Corbier.</p> <p>On the road to Copenhagen ICC has taken an active role supporting the UNFCCC process and an agreement in Copenhagen which will enable business to contribute solutions, especially stimulating investment and deployment of existing and advanced technology on the necessary scale to enable a transition towards a low-carbon[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=118#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Guiffo Temgo]Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:47:15 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-provides-strong-business-presence-at-barcelona-climate-change-meeting.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/mexico-forum-promotes-industry-leadership-in-responsible-advertising-.php<p>Mexico forum promotes industry leadership in responsible advertising <br /> With globalization bringing sea changes not only in the production and distribution of goods and services but also in marketing and publicity, advertising needs to be considered both within the rights that protect freedom of expression and in a context of social responsibility, a recent forum organized by ICC Mexico concluded.</p> <p>The forum, held in late October in Mexico City, debated the issues and challenges posed by governmental regulation of the industry and the benefits of self-regulation in the advertising and marketing fields from the points of view of governments, the media, and the private sector. It said advertising must preserve consumer trust by ensuring practitioners[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=117#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Guiffo Temgo JJ]Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:39:18 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/mexico-forum-promotes-industry-leadership-in-responsible-advertising-.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/workshop-in-dubai-urges-adoption-of-ata-carnet-system-in-gulf-region.php<p>Workshop in Dubai urges adoption of ATA Carnet System in Gulf Region<br /> The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a two-day seminar on the ATA Carnet System in a bid to make businesses in the Gulf region aware of the advantages of the procedure, which allows the duty and tax-free temporary admission of goods, avoiding business travellers to go through the trouble of normal customs formalities.</p> <p>More than 120 people attended the workshop 3-4 November from entities including chambers, banks, customs, shipping and export agencies, the Ministry of Economy and airport officials from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).</p> <p>Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Acting Director General of the UAE Federal Customs Authority, said in[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=116#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:23:53 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/workshop-in-dubai-urges-adoption-of-ata-carnet-system-in-gulf-region.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-to-press-for-solutions-to-counterfeiting-piracy.php<p>ICC to press for solutions to counterfeiting, piracy.<br /> ICC said today it will challenge global leaders gathering at a major congress to identify concrete solutions to the growing problem of counterfeiting and piracy, which has been exacerbated by the current economic crisis and is estimated to cost the global economy US$750 billion annually.</p> <p>More than 60 international leaders and 500 delegates from 20 countries will meet in Cancun, Mexico on 1-3 December for the Fifth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting & Piracy, the first to be held in the Americas.</p> <p>The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimates that more than $200 billion in tangible counterfeit and pirated goods flow through international[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=115#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:29:50 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-to-press-for-solutions-to-counterfeiting-piracy.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/the-un-a-brand-in-extinction-.php<p>By considering the United Nations as a global brand, how can we understand its performance in a world where people, economy and goods move and change around as never? What is this organization actually doing for itself and for others?</p> <p>For the past decades, the UN has experienced a lack of credibility due to several internal as well as external issues that have made its image less strong. But what has happened to this brand to make it loose its efficiency and above all, its notoriety as a pacific dealer of humanitarian conflicts?</p> <p>Since its creation in 1945, its goal is to change behavior in a global way in order to help all the countries with health, security, and education issues. This challenge does not deal only with its infrastructure,[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=114#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Ana Herce]Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:32:28 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/the-un-a-brand-in-extinction-.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/united-states-of-america-recession-is-over.php<p>The American economy grew in the third quarter of 2009, which means the US is emerging from its worst recession in decades.</p> <p>The economy expanded at a 3.5 per cent annual rate after contracting 0.7 per cent in the April-June period.</p> <p>The economy slipped into recession at the end of 2007 and has been in the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.</p> <p>A recession is officially defined as a period when GDP falls for at least two quarters in a row, so the recovery wil not be 'official' until another quarter shows growth.</p> <p>It is good news for worldwide economic prospects in 2010, despite disappointing figures showing the UK is still struggling to emerge from its longest slump since the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=113#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:08:01 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/united-states-of-america-recession-is-over.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/iccs-gupta-public-policies-crucial-to-ending-recession.php<p>The strength of the world economic recovery will depend largely on whether public policies result in encouraging open markets, increasing trade, and insuring that international financial flows remain unimpeded, ICC Vice Chairman Rajat Gupta told a regional grouping of the world business organization’s national committees.</p> <p>“More than ever before in our lifetimes, choices in public policy will shape the economy’s ability to rebound from the recession,” said Mr Gupta, who is also Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company. “The right mix of policies could help lead to a long-term renewal – while misguided policy choices could slow the economy to a slow, painful[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=112#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Guiffo]Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:41:42 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/iccs-gupta-public-policies-crucial-to-ending-recession.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/business-leaders-meet-to-finalize-plans-ahead-of-cop15.php<p>ICC and business community experts met last week in Paris to discuss and finalize plans ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Copenhagen.</p> <p>The meetings culminated in a Business PrepComm meeting held on Friday with representatives from a large number of business organisations in attendance.</p> <p>“All over the world, businesses large and small are addressing climate change at local, national and international levels, both as enterprises and through partnerships,” said Nick Campbell, Chair, ICC Task force on Climate Change. “Many have already made major changes in how they operate and have seized opportunities for new processes, products and[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=111#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques]Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:38:55 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/business-leaders-meet-to-finalize-plans-ahead-of-cop15.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/iccs-bascap-launches-intellectual-property-guidelines-in-china.php<p>ICC’s BASCAP group today launched a set of intellectual property (IP) guidelines designed to help businesses manage copyright and branded materials and deter trade in counterfeit and pirate goods.</p> <p>The Intellectual Property Guidelines for Business was released in Chinese during a special session at the Pearl River Delta International Forum on Innovation and Intellectual Property. The IP Guidelines provides information to businesses on practical steps that they can take to protect their own innovation and creativity in IP-based products and services, as well as to protect against the risk of using counterfeit materials or infringing other companies’ IP rights.</p> <p>ICC’s Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=110#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules]Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:36:11 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/iccs-bascap-launches-intellectual-property-guidelines-in-china.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/unesco-and-online-travel-giant-tripadvisor-launch-world-heritage-partnership.php<p>TripAdvisor, the world's largest on-line community of travellers, and UNESCO launched a partnership on Thursday to mobilize travellers' support to preserve natural and cultural sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.</p> <p>At the launch of the partnership, TripAdvisor founder and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Kaufer, pledged to donate up to US$1.5m of support over the next two years to UNESCO's World Heritage Centre.</p> <p>The donation will help the Centre handle the considerable task of monitoring the conservation of the 890 natural and cultural sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. The World Heritage Centre provides technical and administrative support for States that have ratified the 1972 World Heritage[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=109#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:40:34 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/unesco-and-online-travel-giant-tripadvisor-launch-world-heritage-partnership.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/unprecedented-increase-in-somali-pirate-activity-icc-reports.php<p>Unprecedented increase in Somali pirate activity, ICC reports<br /> Global piracy figures have already surpassed the total number of attacks recorded in 2008, according to the latest quarterly piracy report released today by ICC’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The report also revealed that the total number of incidents in which guns were used had risen by more than 200%, compared to the corresponding period in 2008.</p> <p>A total of 306 incidents were reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) in the first nine months of 2009, while in 2008, the total number of attacks for the year was 293.</p> <p>The increase in attacks is directly attributed to heightened piracy activity off the Somali Coast, where 47 incidents were[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=108#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:20:20 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/unprecedented-increase-in-somali-pirate-activity-icc-reports.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-foundation-supports-workshop-on-future-of-the-market-economy.php<p>The economic crisis has severely shaken views on the traditional capitalist economy and forced business to envisage how the market economy can regain both its vitality and its credibility, a two-day weekend seminar on the future of capitalism concluded.</p> <p>The seminar, sponsored by the ICC Research Foundation in conjunction with the Harvard Business School, brought together 50 international business leaders and academics to devise elements of an action plan for business to deal with the fallout from the crisis.</p> <p>Led by Harvard Business School Professor Joseph Bower, an academic team presented data pointing to a worldwide economic recovery in the medium term, but with persistent unemployment and increasing economic inequality. The experts[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=106#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:30:43 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-foundation-supports-workshop-on-future-of-the-market-economy.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/commerce-secretary-us-must-reform-visa-export-control-policies.php<p>In remarks at a dinner honouring ICC’s 90th anniversary, US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said yesterday that the United States must improve its business visa process and export control policies, which he argued were hampering America’s global competitiveness.</p> <p>“The United States often makes it too difficult for foreign company executives to enter here to do business, a shortcoming that has a tangible cost for American business by shutting out some of their best customers,” Mr Locke said.</p> <p>The dinner at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel commemorating ICC’s founding in 1919, was organized by the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which serves as ICC’s[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=105#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:57:00 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/commerce-secretary-us-must-reform-visa-export-control-policies.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-trade-policy-experts-meet-wto-ambassadors-in-geneva.php<p>The ICC Commission on Trade and Investment Policy, holding its biannual meeting in Geneva this week, heard from selected chairmen of the Doha Round negotiating groups to discuss the latest status of the negotiations, notably in the fields of rules, services and trade facilitation. While these issues are of key concern to business, they tend to be overshadowed by the negotiations on agriculture and industrial products.</p> <p>“It is crucial for business representatives to engage in person with Geneva-based senior officials, through organizations such as ICC, to dispel the notion that business has lost interest in the Doha Round,” said R.V. Kanoria, Chair of the ICC Commission on Trade and Investment Policy and Chairman and Managing Director of[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=104#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:27:04 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-trade-policy-experts-meet-wto-ambassadors-in-geneva.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-explores-solutions-to-climate-change-in-bangkok.php<p>In the lead up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) of the Parties (COP15) Conference in Copenhagen, ICC is mobilizing to demonstrate global business’s commitment to leading the fight against climate change.</p> <p>At UNFCCC climate change talks, taking place in Bangkok 28 September – 9 October, as government negotiators discuss key provisions, local and international business experts are providing a range of solutions and opportunities to emerging markets such as Thailand to engage in low-carbon development pathways.</p> <p>During the talks in Bangkok, which comes on the heels of the UN Climate Change Summit in New York last week, ICC Thailand hosted a dinner and panel discussion titled[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=103#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [JUles Temgo]Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:32:14 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-explores-solutions-to-climate-change-in-bangkok.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new-icann-and-ntia-commitments-welcome-by-global-business.php<p>The International Chamber of Commerce has praised a new “Affirmation of Commitments” announced yesterday by the United States National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).</p> <p>The “Affirmation of Commitments” recognizes the interests of Internet users, including businesses, that are not directly engaged in ICANN or the domain name system. It also identifies areas such as accountability and transparency, stability, security and resilience of the domain name system, promoting competition, consumer trust and consumer choice, which are critical to businesses in all parts of the world.</p> <p>The affirmation begins a new phase in the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=102#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:14:08 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new-icann-and-ntia-commitments-welcome-by-global-business.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-says-g20-must-find-political-will-to-conclude-doha-round.php<p>There is much to applaud in the communiqué from the Pittsburgh G20 Summit pledging to revive global trade, reject protectionism, boost trade finance, and refrain from imposing new barriers to investment on trade in goods and services.</p> <p>ICC warmly welcomes the decision to make the G20 the primary forum for international economic cooperation. With member countries representing 90% of global gross national product, the G20 reflects the new distribution of economic power in today's world.</p> <p>On the fundamental issue of the Doha Round of trade negotiations, however, ICC is disappointed that the G20 leaders did no more than repeat their previous incantations calling for an “ambitious and balanced conclusion.” Given[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=101#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Temgo]Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:35:21 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-says-g20-must-find-political-will-to-conclude-doha-round.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/international-chamber-of-commerce-icc-applauds-un-summit-on-climate-change.php<p>ICC applauds the initiative of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to bring together business, NGOs, inter-governmental organizations and governments at the Global Leadership Forum during the UN Summit on Climate Change in New York this week.</p> <p>The forum, which was organized by the UN Global Compact office and a broad group of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, was held ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP15) in December.</p> <p>ICC, as business and industry focal point for UNFCCC negotiations, is hoping for a balanced, robust and effective global post-2012 climate agreement for which Copenhagen will be a decisive moment.</p> <p>Climate change is a global problem that[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=100#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacues Guiffo]Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:35:16 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/international-chamber-of-commerce-icc-applauds-un-summit-on-climate-change.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-releases-latest-dossier-of-the-icc-institute-of-world-business-law.php<p>ICC has published the latest Dossier of the ICC Institute of World Business Law, Dossier VI - Written Evidence and Discovery in international Arbitration. The Dossier seeks to encourage reflection on future practice in relation to documentary evidence in international arbitration.</p> <p>Documentary evidence is at the heart of the arbitral process. Arbitrators are increasingly confronted with new challenges, such as requests for E-Discovery, as well as ever more frequent objections to confidentiality and privilege.</p> <p>Document production may also confront arbitrators with difficult issues of fraud and forgery. Further, arbitral tribunals may have to decide which rules apply to issues such as the evidentiary value of documents or their admissibility.[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=99#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Jules]Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:54:52 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-releases-latest-dossier-of-the-icc-institute-of-world-business-law.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/obama-wants-g20-to-rethink-global-economy.php<p>U.S. proposal foresees big changes in economies. Europeans pressing to curb bankers' pay, bonuses.<br /> President Barack Obama said Sunday he would push world leaders this week for a reshaping of the global economy in response to the deepest financial crisis in decades.</p> <p>In Europe, officials kept up pressure for a deal to curb bankers' pay and bonuses at a two-day summit of leaders from the Group of 20 countries, which begins on Thursday.</p> <p>The summit will be held in the former steelmaking center of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marking the third time in less than a year that leaders of countries accounting for about 85% of the world economy will have met to coordinate their responses to the crisis. <br /> The United States[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=98#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:26:22 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/obama-wants-g20-to-rethink-global-economy.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/commerce-secretary-to-address-icc-90th-anniversary-dinner-in-new-york.php<p>US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke will be the keynote speaker at the ICC 90th anniversary dinner in New York which is being hosted by ICC’s national committee, the United States Council for International Business (USCIB).</p> <p>ICC is celebrating its 90th anniversary throughout 2009 with a series of special events around the world, underscoring the continued importance of its core objective of securing peace and prosperity through trade. In February, the ICC Research Foundation was launched to reinforce ICC’s role in providing intellectual leadership on public policy issues, with a focus on global trade and investment.</p> <p>“We are delighted that Secretary Locke will join us to provide his views on the challenges facing[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=97#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [jacques Jules]Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:30:26 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/commerce-secretary-to-address-icc-90th-anniversary-dinner-in-new-york.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/obama-seeks-to-reassure-g20-on-financial-reforms.php<p>President Barack Obama vowed on Saturday to work with fellow G20 leaders next week to close gaps in financial regulations and insisted reckless schemes that yield "fat executive bonuses" could no longer be tolerated.</p> <p>Five days before hosting a summit of the Group of 20 nations in Pittsburgh, Obama said steps taken since they last met in April in London had produced "real progress" toward breaking the back of the global economic crisis.</p> <p>But Obama, in his weekly radio and Internet address, insisted that "stopping the bleeding isn't nearly enough."</p> <p>"We know we still have a lot to do, in conjunction with nations around the world, to strengthen the rules governing financial markets and[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=96#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:44:33 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/obama-seeks-to-reassure-g20-on-financial-reforms.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-calls-for-implementation-of-ata-carnet-system-in-the-philippines.php<p>ICC has called for the early implementation of the ATA Carnet system in the Philippines during a workshop in Manila on 26-27 August 2009.</p> <p>The workshop, conducted by Mrs Lee Ju Song, ICC Asia Director, organized in collaboration with the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), sought to educate representatives from the Bureau of Customs of the Philippines (BOC), Bureau of Export Trade Promotion, the Philippines financial industry and PCCI on the benefits of the ATA system for both public and private sectors.</p> <p>The ATA Carnet – also known as the “passport for goods”, “passport to international trade” - is[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=95#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques jules Guiffo]Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:22:58 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-calls-for-implementation-of-ata-carnet-system-in-the-philippines.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/business-contributes-to-igf-regional-initiatives-in-east-africa-and-europe.php<p>ICC and its Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS) initiative have applauded the emergence of several regional and national IGF initiatives as momentum builds in the lead up to the 4th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in November.</p> <p>Reflecting on the IGF East Africa, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya on 7-9 September, Waudo Siganga, Computer Society of Kenya and member of BASIS said: “The main message is to encourage policy approaches that facilitate investment in infrastructure and that do not restrict the development and use of new technologies.” The event drew 400 participants including members of parliament from four countries in the region, government officials, business and civil[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=94#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:13:58 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/business-contributes-to-igf-regional-initiatives-in-east-africa-and-europe.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-publishes-report-marking-anniversary-of-new-york-convention.php<p>ICC has published a comprehensive guide to national rules of procedure for enforcing awards to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.</p> <p>Better known as the New York Convention, this multilateral treaty is the cornerstone of international arbitration, having been ratified by no fewer than 144 states. The convention requires the courts of contracting states to withhold from deciding disputes covered by an arbitration agreement and to recognize and enforce awards made in other states unless there are specific grounds for not doing so.</p> <p>Although the New York Convention has greatly facilitated the enforcement of awards internationally, it leaves broad scope for the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=93#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina Temgo]Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:08:11 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-publishes-report-marking-anniversary-of-new-york-convention.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/intellectual-property-rights-protection-vital-in-climate-change-negotiations.php<p>Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are vital in the development and diffusion of new and existing technologies for combating climate change, ICC has stressed ahead of the December UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Copenhagen, where a post-2012 framework agreement to govern greenhouse gas emissions is to be concluded.</p> <p>As part of a continuing series of contributions dealing with technology and climate change, the ICC Commissions on Environment and Energy and Intellectual Property have worked together to issue a new paper examining the role of both existing and new technologies in dealing with climate change and highlighting how intellectual property systems spur innovation and contribute to the development of technological[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=92#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina Muñoz]Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:03:52 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/intellectual-property-rights-protection-vital-in-climate-change-negotiations.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/uschina-economic-and-trade-cooperation-forum-opens-in-chicago.php<p>U.S.-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum opened in Chicago Monday, with participants calling for greater cooperation in trade and industries between the two countries.</p> <p>Yu Ping, vice chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade said during the opening ceremony that Chinese and American businesses should strengthen communication and cooperation and join hands to transfer crisis to opportunities and create a better future.</p> <p>He offered three suggestions during his speech. First of all, China and U.S. should strengthen equal dialogue, expand regional exchange to achieve mutual benefits and a win-win result. Secondly, both countries should make efforts to make trade and investment between the two countries more[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=91#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Temgo]Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:27:30 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/uschina-economic-and-trade-cooperation-forum-opens-in-chicago.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/voice-of-business-heard-at-global-alliance-for-ict-and-development.php<p>Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play an important role stimulating economic growth and development around the world. As a primary innovator and partner in putting ICTs to work, business is a crucial participant at international meetings and forums on such issues.</p> <p>ICC permanent representative to the UN in New York, Louise Kantrow, recently joined members of the ICC Commission on E-Business, IT and Telecoms (EBITT) and the ICC Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS) initiative to convey global business priorities at the 2009 Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) in Monterrey, Mexico.</p> <p>GAID was launched by the then United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in 2006 to bring together governments,[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=90#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Martina Temgo]Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:45:27 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/voice-of-business-heard-at-global-alliance-for-ict-and-development.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/the-global-economy-will-remain-on-shaky-ground-said-the-icc-finance-survey.php<p>The global economy is still on shaky ground, and despite budding signs of recovery, evidence is not strong enough to conclude that the current recession is waning, according to an ICC report on trade finance released today.</p> <p>The interim report cautions against excess optimism and calls for renewed attention to be given to the G20 trade finance agenda following findings that there had been no significant sign of relief in capital requirements for trade assets – which ICC had previously stated was curbing bank incentive to offer trade finance.</p> <p>Some 86% of survey respondents attested that they had experienced no relief in the requirements under the international capital adequacy regime known as Basel II. Described in the report as[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=89#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:14:04 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/the-global-economy-will-remain-on-shaky-ground-said-the-icc-finance-survey.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/g20-calls-for-better-capital-buffers-at-banks.php<p>European banks face pressure to issue far more shares in order to meet a tough new global regulatory framework outlined at the weekend by finance ministers of the G20 group of nations which calls for much bigger and better capital buffers against shocks, analysts warned on Sunday.</p> <p>The move follows criticism that some banks have relied too heavily on complex securities that have proved poor defences against big losses.</p> <p>Some banks have met up to more than half the existing regulatory requirements on capital buffers through the issuance of “hybrid” securities which are more like debt than equity, according to analysts.</p> <p>Huw Van Steenis, banking analyst at Morgan Stanley, said: “Over time this[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=88#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Guiffo Temgo]Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:13:21 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/g20-calls-for-better-capital-buffers-at-banks.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/business-calls-on-governments-to-reach-climate-change-agreement.php<p>ICC, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Energy Council (WEC) today called on government leaders to reach a climate change agreement in Copenhagen during final negotiations there in December on a post 2012 framework.</p> <p>The three organizations issued the call during the World Climate Conference (WCC-3) in Geneva, which brought together high-level policy-makers, scientists, climate service providers, global business leaders and decision-makers from more than 150 countries. The week-long meeting, organized by the World Meteorological Organization, sought to help nations cope with climate change by improving the way climate information is collected and shared among governments. The private sector was represented by ICC, WBCSD[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=87#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:34:10 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/business-calls-on-governments-to-reach-climate-change-agreement.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-appoints-new-chair-of-commission-on-intellectual-property.php<p>David Koris has been appointed the new Chair of the ICC Commission on Intellectual Property with effect from 3 November 2009.</p> <p>Mr Koris has been an Intellectual Property (IP) counsel for 26 years with broad experience in all phases of IP practice. Currently serving as the General Counsel, Head of IP for Shell International in The Hague, Mr Koris is responsible for all aspects of technology protection and IP asset management. In addition to managing the IP organization, Mr Koris is a partner in the technology planning team. The team is responsible for leading Shell’s businesses in the creation, development and management of IP strategies that optimize the value of IP assets for the varied technologies and business objectives of the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=86#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:41:41 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc-appoints-new-chair-of-commission-on-intellectual-property.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/bank-credit-shrinks-in-the-european-union.php<p><em>In a worrying sign for the continent's economy, credit available to euro zone businesses shrank in July despite rising optimism in EU money markets </em></p> <p>Bank credit to businesses in the eurozone shrank further last month despite current favorable conditions on the money markets, sparking fears over the true state of the economy in Europe.</p> <p>Loans to businesses and households in July slowed to the record lowest annual growth ever, according to figures released by the European Central Bank (ECB), the main financial institution of the 16-strong currency union, released on Thursday (27 August).</p> <p>In the private sector, credit provided rose by just 0.6 percent compared with July 2008 while economists[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=85#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Temgo jacques]Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:37:13 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/bank-credit-shrinks-in-the-european-union.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/global_economic_index_rises_for_second_straight_quarter.php<p>The world economic climate index rose significantly in the third quarter, its second consecutive increase resulting mainly from favourable future economic expectations but also from a slight improvement in the global economy.</p> <p>The climate indicator rose to 78.7 points from 64.4 points in April and 50.1 points in January, according to the latest survey by ICC and the Ifo Institute for Economic Research.</p> <p>“Despite the good news of a second consecutive rise in the economic climate index, the world economy remains in recession and has even worsened in some areas,” said Jean Rozwadowski, ICC Secretary General. “We need to caution against excess optimism and realize that the signs of recovery that we are seeing remain[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=83#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Jules]Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:53:09 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/global_economic_index_rises_for_second_straight_quarter.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/seminar_to_study_complex_mock_case_under_icc_rules_of_arbitration.php<p>Practitioners with extensive experience in international commercial arbitration will have a unique opportunity to sharpen their skills by participating in a study of a complex mock case under the ICC Rules of Arbitration.</p> <p>The seminar is the first advanced-level training on international commercial arbitration organized by ICC in both English and French.</p> <p>The advanced level training, under the auspices of the ICC Institute of World Business Law, will be held at ICC headquarters in Paris on 16-19 November. It will allow participants to take part in a mock arbitration proceeding involving a set of complex circumstances, as well as to benefit from the practical and technical presentations by some of the world’s leading[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=82#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Jules]Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:29:15 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/seminar_to_study_complex_mock_case_under_icc_rules_of_arbitration.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_supports_proposed_eu_changes_in_electronic_vat_invoicing.php<p>ICC fully supports proposed changes by the European Commission regarding electronic VAT invoicing, especially the planned abolition of technology-specific requirements for the transmission of electronic invoices.</p> <p>“The early adoption of electronic invoicing by all countries with VAT or GST systems would simultaneously streamline tax administration, reduce the costs of tax compliance for businesses and have a positive impact on the environment,” said Robert Couzin, Chair of the ICC Taxation Commission.</p> <p>The world business organization calls on EU Member States to adopt the proposal of the European Commission and invites non-EU countries to consider equal treatment as a core principle in the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=81#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:36:28 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_supports_proposed_eu_changes_in_electronic_vat_invoicing.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_urges_expanding_the_ata_carnet_system_to_all_apec_countries.php<p>The already fruitful collaboration between customs and business should be further expanded by Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) nations to speed up regional integration, provide greater trade facilitation, and harmonize customs procedures, a top ICC official said.</p> <p>“As our trade and economic ties expand, the fabric of our partnership will be strengthened,” Mrs Lee Ju Song, Director of ICC Asia and Chair of the ICC World Chambers Federation Certificate of Origin Task Force, told the 2009 session of the APEC Customs-Business Dialogue.</p> <p>“Trade facilitation and co-operation between Customs and Business have come a long way and have intensified over the years for the mutual benefit of both Customs[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=80#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:53:52 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_urges_expanding_the_ata_carnet_system_to_all_apec_countries.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_representatives_participate_in_summer_school_on_internet_governance.php<p>Two ICC representatives will teach a course on business’ role and priorities regarding Internet policy issues to a diverse group of international students at the European Summer School on Internet governance (Euro-SSIG).</p> <p>Herbert Heitmann, ICC E- Business, IT, and Telecommunications (EBITT) Commission Chair and Chief Communications Officer, SAP; and Ayesha Hassan, ICC Senior Policy Manager, EBITT will teach the course jointly.</p> <p>“Our workshop will provide an important opportunity for students to see how business views Internet governance,” Mr Heitmann said. “It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about how policy approaches impact business and the need for consultation with business at national,[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=79#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:00:55 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_representatives_participate_in_summer_school_on_internet_governance.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/un_endorses_icc_documentary_credit_rules.php<p>ICC’s most recent revision of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600) was officially endorsed by the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) at its 42nd annual session in Vienna.</p> <p>UCP plays an instrumental role in global trade finance, with its rules implemented in more than 175 countries. UCP has gone through seven versions that have appeared since 1933, with their antecedents dating back to 1920.</p> <p>“The UNCITRAL endorsement of the ICC UCP rules will undoubtedly define the direction of banking practice, establish international unity with regards to these practices, and alleviate any confusion and miscommunication which could arise in the completion of trade transactions,”[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=78#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:53:12 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/un_endorses_icc_documentary_credit_rules.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/piracy_doubles_in_first_six_months_of_2009.php<p>Piracy attacks around the world more than doubled to 240 from 114 during the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2008, the ICC International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB) said today.</p> <p>“As in the last quarterly report, the rise in overall numbers is due almost entirely to increased Somali pirate activity off the Gulf of Aden and east coast of Somalia, with 86 and 44 incidents reported respectively,” the report said.</p> <p>The year’s second quarter saw 136 reports of piracy compared with 104 in the first three months of 2009, an increase of almost a third.</p> <p>A total of 78 vessels were boarded worldwide, 75 vessels fired upon and 31 vessels hijacked[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=77#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:34:39 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/piracy_doubles_in_first_six_months_of_2009.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_chairman_addresses_major_chinese_economic_conference.php<p>ICC Chairman Victor Fung told a group of high-level international business leaders and government officials today that governments must avoid the temptation to seek isolation from the global recession through protectionist measures to restrict imports and foreign investment.</p> <p>Mr Fung praised the pledge by G20 governments at their London summit in April not to raise trade barriers before the end of 2010. He also commended efforts by the World Trade Organization to monitor compliance with trade regulations.</p> <p>“With the world as economically integrated as it has become in recent decades, any lurch into economic nationalism would dislocate commercial activity even further and risk turning the global crisis into a depression,”[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=76#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:48:20 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_chairman_addresses_major_chinese_economic_conference.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/disruptive_forces_still_at_play_as_financial_markets_recover.php<p>The recovery of the world’s financial markets depends on the interaction between regulation, finance and the real economy. However, other major driving forces including social, cultural and political factors are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the process, a workshop on the future of world financial markets concluded.</p> <p>I n partnership with ICC Monaco, ICC hosted the joint meeting of its Financial Services and Insurance Commission and the ICC Corporate Economists Advisory Group on 17 June. The session, entitled “Rebuilding Financial Markets: the Way Forward.” brought together an international body of high-level representatives from financial institutions, corporations, and civil society.</p> <p>The[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=75#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:13:21 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/disruptive_forces_still_at_play_as_financial_markets_recover.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_to_hold_international_commercial_arbitration_workshop.php<p>ICC will be holding a workshop on ICC arbitration proceedings that will highlight ICC practices, the differences in cultures, and legal procedures through a mock case in Paris.</p> <p>The PIDA workshop is organized by the ICC Institute on World Business Law, will be held at ICC headquarters in Paris 28 September to 1 October. It will afford participants the chance to develop first-hand experience and knowledge of ICC Rules of Arbitration, an essential element in international business today.</p> <p>“The PIDA training gives the participant not only a theoretical but also a practical grounding in international arbitration,” said Halil Ercüment Erdem, Chairman of the workshop and a partner with Erdem & Erdem in[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=74#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:20:47 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_to_hold_international_commercial_arbitration_workshop.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/iccifa_to_draft_trade_finance_forfaiting_rules.php<p>ICC and the International Forfaiting Association (IFA) have created a joint drafting group to prepare new global forfaiting rules, the ICC Banking Commission announced today.</p> <p>The drafting group was created following a request last year to form a special task force to review existing IFA guidelines for the Forfaiting Primary Market. Following discussions, both ICC and IFA proposed to work together with the objective of developing a set of global rules for the forfaiting market at both the primary and secondary levels.</p> <p>“It is envisaged that the drafting may take several years before a final document is eventually approved,” remarked Thierry Senechal, Policy Manager for the ICC Banking[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=73#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:28:49 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/iccifa_to_draft_trade_finance_forfaiting_rules.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_institute_masterclass_for_arbitrators_proves_hit_with_legal_practitioners.php<p>International commercial arbitration is a flexible, cost-efficient and quick method for resolving disputes that has flourished in recent years with the emergence of a global economy. Yet specific advanced-level training for arbitrators on the subject remains limited and time consuming.</p> <p>The ICC Institute of World Business Law is introducing an annual Masterclass for Arbitrators to its schedule of events to bring experienced counsel – who have little or no experience as arbitrators – up to speed with the latest developments in the field. The two-day masterclass will provide a rare opportunity to learn firsthand from over a dozen of the world’s leading arbitration practitioners and the first edition has already sold out, prompting[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=72#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:15:05 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_institute_masterclass_for_arbitrators_proves_hit_with_legal_practitioners.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_provides_business_views_on_un_transport_treaty.php<p>The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has issued a statement on a United Nations treaty that will provide uniformity for the international carriage of goods.</p> <p>The draft Convention on the International Carriage of Goods was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2008 and will be signed at a ceremony in Rotterdam in September 2009. The treaty will be informally known as the “Rotterdam Rules.” This treaty is an attempt to provide harmonization for the law governing the transport of goods by sea, which is presently subject to a number of different liability regimes.</p> <p><a onclick="window.open(this.href,'');return false;" rel="nofollow"[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=71#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:28:01 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_provides_business_views_on_un_transport_treaty.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ucp_600_seminar_to_focus_on_solutions_for_documentary_credit_users.php<p>The challenges facing bankers and other users of Documentary Credits during the current global economic downturn will be the theme of a one-and-a-half-day workshop hosted by ICC on 18-19 June in Paris.</p> <p>Documentary Credits, also known as a letter of credit, is one of the most secure payment methods in international trade, offering advantages for both importers and exporters.</p> <p>The workshop entitled “Applying the principles of UCP 600 in today’s turbulent environment” will bring together approximately 70 professionals from 25 countries who will learn, through a series of study-led sessions, how following the UCP rules when structuring their trade transactions can help facilitate the Documentary Credit process and[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=70#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:06:14 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ucp_600_seminar_to_focus_on_solutions_for_documentary_credit_users.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new_icc_arbitration_court_members_named.php<p>The ICC World Council has named 12 new vice presidents and 41 new members to the ICC International Court of Arbitration. The new appointments bring the total number of Court members to 125.</p> <p>The ICC World Council made the appointments at its meeting in Kuala Lumpur on the occasion of the ICC World Chambers Federation Congress in Malaysia.</p> <p>In addition to the new appointments, the World Council renewed the terms of 56 other members and 12 alternates. Court members serve three-year terms. The Court will have 125 members from 86 countries when its new term begins 1 July.</p> <p>“The appointments of the new vice presidents in particular reflect the global reach of ICC arbitration, the diversity of its users and the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=69#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:23:23 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new_icc_arbitration_court_members_named.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_banking_seminar_to_focus_on_the_future_of_world_financial_markets_.php<p>The challenges of rebuilding the world’s financial markets in the aftermath of the global recession will be the theme of a seminar hosted by ICC later this month in Monaco.</p> <p>ICC, in partnership with ICC Monaco, will host the special session entitled “Rebuilding Financial Markets: the Way Forward.” The joint meeting of the ICC Financial Services and Insurance Commission and the ICC Corporate Economists Advisory Group, to be held on 17 June, will bring together an international body of high-level representatives from financial institutions, corporations, and civil society.</p> <p>“The challenge for business leaders and financiers during a downturn is to find the right balance between pursuing many unprofitable[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=68#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:31:04 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_banking_seminar_to_focus_on_the_future_of_world_financial_markets_.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/dollar_is_still_very_low_after_5month.php<p><em>The greenback loses value after a negative revision on the U.K.'s outlook makes investors wonder if the U.S. is next. Inflationary fears heat up.</em></p> <p>The dollar fell to a five-month low against the euro Friday as inflationary fears heated up and the market continued to fret over a downgrade of the U.K.'s outlook.<br /> The 16-nation euro traded at $1.4008, up 0.8% from late Thursday when it ended at $1.3891.<br /> The British pound cost $1.5911, up 0.4% from Thursday's close of $1.5844.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the dollar gained against the Japanese yen. The dollar bought ¥94.81, up from ¥94.42 late the previous day. The yen is often considered a safe haven in times of market uncertainty.<br[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=67#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Sun, 24 May 2009 20:27:30 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/dollar_is_still_very_low_after_5month.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_urges_focus_on_economic_development_issues_at_internet_governance_forum.php<p>ICC/ BASIS stressed the importance of Internet governance issues that will promote economic growth, build human and institutional capacities, and address development needs at the open consultations of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).</p> <p>ICC/BASIS also reiterated its support for the IGF in its current format as an essential global opportunity for an open dialogue among all stakeholders concerned with Internet governance issues.</p> <p>The open consultation session in Geneva this week continued preparations for the upcoming IGF in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November.</p> <p>“With the range of relevant stakeholders participating, the IGF is a unique opportunity to exchange best practices and experiences and complements[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=66#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Mon, 18 May 2009 23:51:11 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_urges_focus_on_economic_development_issues_at_internet_governance_forum.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/april_meeting_of_icc_commission_on_arbitration.php<p>The April meeting of the ICC Commission on Arbitration focused on an in-depth view of the current functioning of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and its Secretariat. Significant developments of the past year, including the opening of a branch in Hong Kong and the inauguration of the new ICC Hearing Centre in Paris, were also reviewed.<br /><br />The one-day session in Paris on 22 April under the chairmanship of Peter Wolrich began with farewell remarks by ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban, who will be stepping down on 30 June. Mr Sebban gave an overview of his main accomplishments during his four-year tenure.<br /><br />“We have been able to be recognized as an interlocutor of the G20 since the beginning,” Mr Sebban said in a[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=65#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Thu, 07 May 2009 22:13:32 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/april_meeting_of_icc_commission_on_arbitration.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/congress_funding_opens_doors_to_information.php<p>Access to information is paramount to effective business conduct and is often taken for granted by many entrepreneurs. But without funding from the US Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the opportunity to attend the 6th World Chambers Congress in Kuala Lumpur in June this year would not have been possible for over 12 participants.<br /><br />While it is important for chambers and associations from developing countries to be exposed to ideas and programmes generated by their counterparts in developed countries, chambers and associations in developed countries also have much to learn from the programmes that other organizations implement in economically and politically challenging environments. With support from CIPE, such an exchange of ideas and[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=64#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sat, 02 May 2009 15:53:09 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/congress_funding_opens_doors_to_information.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_issues_model_international_transfer_of_technology_contract.php<p>ICC today announced the release of the ICC Model International Transfer of Technology Contract.<br /><br />This publication is the newest addition to the series of international model business contracts developed and published by ICC. It is particularly useful as an increasing number of companies around the world conclude transactions involving the transfer of technology among business entities.<br /><br />ICC Model International Transfer of Technology Contract addresses the situation where the owner of a well-known trademark licences it to a company which will use it with respect to products other than those manufactured or sold by the licensor. In this case, it is assumed that the licensed products will be designed and developed by the licensee, but the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=63#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:38:56 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_issues_model_international_transfer_of_technology_contract.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_welcomes_g20_boost_to_trade_finance_and_pledge_to_conclude_doha_round.php<p>ICC today congratulated the G20 leaders for taking a multilateral approach to resolving the world economic crisis. In particular, ICC applauded their agreement to kick-start trade by significantly increasing trade finance, rapidly concluding the Doha Round of trade negotiations, and strengthening promises to avoid protectionist measures.</p> <p>ICC commended the decision to ensure US$250 billion of support for trade finance over the next two years and to encourage use of available flexibility in capital requirements for trade finance. This is an essential step as trade, the lifeblood of the global economy, is expected to register a 9% drop this year, its biggest decline since World War II, according to the WTO.</p> <p>“We are pleased with the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=62#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:32:04 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_welcomes_g20_boost_to_trade_finance_and_pledge_to_conclude_doha_round.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/g20_must_take_action_to_fight_protectionism_and_support_trade_finance_.php<p><em>G20 must take action to fight protectionism and support trade finance to keep trade flowing</em><br />Leaders of the G20 countries must coordinate their national policies to end the global recession, support a monitoring system to honour previous promises to reject protectionism, and restore trade financing to more normal levels, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) said today.<br /><br />“Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy and the world needs more of it at this critical moment, not less,” said ICC Chairman Victor K. Fung. “The G20 summit in London provides the perfect opportunity for the international community to reassert its confidence in the multilateral trading system, which spurred the[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=61#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:20:04 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/g20_must_take_action_to_fight_protectionism_and_support_trade_finance_.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/trade_volume_and_value_decline_sharply_as_a_result_of_crisis.php<p>Trade has significantly decreased in both volume and value as a result of the worldwide recession and may be reduced further due to tight credit conditions, ICC said in a report presented at a meeting of banking experts organized by The World Trade Organization (WTO).<br /><br />“The overall decrease in volume and value is confirmed,” Vincent O’Brien of the ICC Commission on Banking Technique and Practice, told the gathering. “Tight credit conditions may further reduce access to trade finance.”<br />Mr O’Brien added that 47% of the 122 banks surveyed reported a decrease in export Letter of Credit (LC) volume and that 43% reported a decrease in LC value of aggregate transactions.<br /><br[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=60#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:23:23 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/trade_volume_and_value_decline_sharply_as_a_result_of_crisis.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new_tool_launched_to_help_resist_corruption.php<p>Knowing how to respond to inappropriate client demands can be challenging for company employees, especially if the demand is accompanied by a threat. But help is now at hand in the form of a practical new tool, launched today, to help business better address the risk of solicitation and extortion.<br /><br />RESIST (Resisting Extortions and Solicitations in International Transactions) – jointly developed by the International Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Transparency International, the UN Global Compact and the World Economic Forum – raises employee awareness of how to prevent demands from being made, and sets out practical measures on how to respond to dilemmas in the most efficient and ethical manner when they cannot be avoided.<br[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=59#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:24:59 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/new_tool_launched_to_help_resist_corruption.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_to_celebrate_90th_anniversary_in_paris_.php<p>ICC will celebrate its 90th anniversary tonight at a formal dinner hosted by French Economy, Industry and Employment Minister Christine Lagarde and attended by more than 120 business leaders.<br /><br />Madame Lagarde will be the keynote speaker at the dinner, which will be held at the Ministry on the banks of the Seine River. Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, Victor K. Fung, Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce, and Gérard Worms, Chairman of ICC France, will also address the gathering<br /><br />Founded in 1919, ICC promotes trade and investment across frontiers and helps business corporations face the   challenges and seize the opportunities[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=58#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:59:37 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_to_celebrate_90th_anniversary_in_paris_.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/contest_for_second_biannual_world_business_law_prize_.php<p>The ICC Institute of World Business Law has launched the 2009 contest for its bi-annual prize rewarding outstanding legal writing and contributions to international commercial law. The winner will receive a €10,000 cheque.</p> <p>The first edition of the prize, launched in 2007, saw 11 entries in both English and French from six countries. Among the topics covered were the Vienna Convention, international contract negotiations, international global disputes at the World Trade Organization, and a variety of global issues in arbitration.</p> <p>The award went to Vincent Chantebout for his submission: “The prohibition of the review on the substance of the arbitral award.” Mr Chantebout’s paper was chosen unanimously by[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=57#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [jacques guiffo]Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:56:45 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/contest_for_second_biannual_world_business_law_prize_.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ibm_becomes_largest_vendor_in_indian_it_services_marketing.php<p>IBM Global Services, business and technology services provider has emerged as the largest vendor in the IT Services market in India with a market share of 10.8 per cent, according to a research report.</p> <p>Springboard Research, infotech tracking firm in its report titled 'India IT Services Competing for Tomorrows Market' ranked Wipro and TCS-CMC in the second and third place, with a market share of 8.7 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively.</p> <p>The Indian IT services market is estimated to be 4.8 billion dollar.<br /> IBM continues to be the leader as it continued the momentum this year by signing some major contracts in emerging verticals like retail, healthcare and insurance along with further consolidating its position in[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=56#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:49:08 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ibm_becomes_largest_vendor_in_indian_it_services_marketing.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_kicks_off_90th_anniversary_celebrations_with_launch_of_research_foundation.php<p>Over 270 business leaders converge in Geneva today to celebrate the International Chamber of Commerce’s 90th anniversary, which will be highlighted by the launch of the ICC Research Foundation.</p> <p>The ICC Research Foundation was established in December last year to reinforce ICC’s role of providing global intellectual leadership on public policy issues of major concern to business and peoples around the world.</p> <p>“What is needed now is a way to make a compelling case for world trade, in the context of today’s world, that is accessible to all and based on well-designed research,” said Victor K. Fung, ICC Chairman and Chairman of the Hong Kong-based Li & Fung Group. “That[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=55#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:06:41 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_kicks_off_90th_anniversary_celebrations_with_launch_of_research_foundation.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/a_guide_to_selfemployment_working_for_yourself_.php<p>Advice for recently laid-off workers considering going into business for themselves</p> <p>So you lost your job. Now what? As an employee, you had a daily routine, health insurance coverage, and a regular paycheck. You liked the security—while it lasted. And if you sometimes daydreamed about the freedom of working for yourself, leaving a full-time job never seemed worth the risk.</p> <p>But now, laid off into a recession and the worst job market in decades—2.6 million Americans lost jobs in 2008, with 524,000 eliminated in December alone—you may be thinking self-employment sounds like the best path out of unemployment. Rather than try to land one of the few open jobs out there, maybe you could work as a freelancer or[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=53#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:13:58 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/a_guide_to_selfemployment_working_for_yourself_.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_to_hold_international_contracts_training.php<p>The success of international business depends on the quality of contracts signed. Too often, if the relationship between parties deteriorates, loopholes in the contract make the situation worse. Negotiating and drafting a contract are important skills and techniques that need to be learned.</p> <p>Following on from the successful training provided in previous years, the ICC Institute of World Business Law is organizing a three and a half day PIDA training on negotiating and drafting international contracts, as well as managing the "post-contract" and dealing with different kinds of conflict resolution.</p> <p>To be held in Paris from 23-26 February, the training will focus on the main problems that arise in[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=52#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:41:56 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_to_hold_international_contracts_training.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/european_central_bank_cuts_rates_to_2_percent.php<p>The European Central Bank reduced a key interest rate by half a percentage point today, an aggressive step by an institution that has taken a more conservative approach to the current economic crisis than the Federal Reserve and other major central banks around the world.</p> <p>The decision reflects the accumulation of evidence showing that the European economy has followed that of the United States into recession, with major economies such as Germany facing a steep drop in industrial production and trade.</p> <p>Just last month, the bank made its deepest rate cut ever, and at the time ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet indicated that further cuts were unlikely until it was clear how that round would affect the economy -- and particularly the rate of[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=51#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:40:20 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/european_central_bank_cuts_rates_to_2_percent.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/what_obamas_proposed_tax_cuts_mean_for_small_businesses.php<p>Here’s a welcome report for entrepreneurs this new year: President-elect Barack Obama’s massive stimulus plan is expected to include three key tax breaks for small-business owners.</p> <p>Details are still emerging, but the plan could include a longer window for businesses to “carry back” losses; an incentive to invest in machinery, equipment and other capital improvements; and a tax credit for job creation.</p> <p>How soon can that get money into your hands? Faster than you might imagine. I spoke with Barbara Weltman, a tax attorney in Millwood, N.Y., who says an extension of a carry back period for losses could significantly help businesses that had been profitable in years past, but struggled in[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=50#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:25:50 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/what_obamas_proposed_tax_cuts_mean_for_small_businesses.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/global_economy_likely_to_be_weakest_in_2009.php<p>The year 2009 is likely to be the weakest year for the global economy since the second world war, largely because of the recessionary trend in advanced economies, media reports says.<br />"Forecasters say 2009 is shaping up to be the weakest year for the global economy for decades, and possibly since the second world war," the Sunday Times said.<br /><br />The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has revised down its world forecasts twice since the summer, will shortly unveil new predictions that will show the global economy formally in recession, the report added.<br />According to Consensus Economics, on the basis of assessing economic growth using market exchange rates, global growth next year would be only 0.4 per cent, the weakest since[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=49#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [jules temgo]Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:03:23 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/global_economy_likely_to_be_weakest_in_2009.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_experts_discuss_the_financial_crisis_and_its_implications.php<p>The ICC Corporate Economists Advisory Group and Commission on Financial Services and Insurance held a joint meeting on 25 November to discuss the current financial crisis and its implications. The meeting brought together business experts who provided accounting, credit agency, industry and regulatory perspectives on how to restore confidence in global financial markets.<br /><br />As financial turbulence reached unprecedented levels worldwide amid a global credit crunch, the ICC panelists addressed the implications of the financial crisis for financial regulation, corporate governance, accounting standards, remuneration, including the risk profile of hedge funds and the investment strategies of sovereign wealth funds.<br /><br />The meeting was attended[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=45#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:04:09 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/icc_experts_discuss_the_financial_crisis_and_its_implications.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/business_backs_internet_governance_forum.php<p>Business has shown support for the continuation of the multistakeholder Internet Governance Forum (IGF) beyond its mandate of 2010 in its current format.<br /><br />Speaking on behalf of the International Chamber of Commerce initiative Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS), Art Reilly, Senior Director of Cisco Systems and BASIS member, underscored the benefits of the annual gathering. “Those with seemingly incompatible views have found common ground through greater understanding,” he said. “This approach ensures movement on substantive issues and is progress.”<br /><br />Mr Reilly made his observations during the closing ceremony of the 2008 IGF on 6 December in Hyderabad, India. <br[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=42#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:50:46 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/business_backs_internet_governance_forum.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/europeans_make_big_rate_cuts_to_fight_recession.php<p>The European Central Bank, Britain and Sweden all made big cuts in interest rates on Thursday to shore up economies across Europe in the face of ever-bleaker financial news.</p> <p><span>The cuts were applauded by many analysts but market reaction indicated that even more sweeping moves may be needed to halt the decline. <br /><br /> Sweden lopped off a record 175 basis points to 2.0 percent and the ECB slashed 75 points to 2.50 percent, the eurozone's biggest ever cut. <br /><br /> The Bank of England chopped 100 basis points for an interest rate of 2.0 percent, the lowest level since 1951, as recession loomed over Britain. <br /><br /> France meanwhile unveiled a 26 billion euro ($32.9 billion) stimulus plan for its[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=41#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jean de Dieu]Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:33:12 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/europeans_make_big_rate_cuts_to_fight_recession.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/why_the_dollar_is_getting_stronger.php<p>Investors have every reason to hate the US dollar. The rising deficit. The deteriorating economy. The plunging stock and bond markets.<br /> But rather than getting hammered by the financial crisis, the greenback is soaring. Since July the dollar is up 19% against the euro and 24% against the British pound.</p> <p>Whether it’s a boon or a burden depends on perspective. US companies with huge exports aren’t thrilled, since a strong dollar hurts sales even as US consumers travelling to Paris will find their cash buys more than before. <br /><br /> What’s behind the dollar’s surprising strength? First, there’s the fear factor. During tough economic times, investors often flee foreign currencies and[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=40#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jules Temgo]Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:07:36 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/why_the_dollar_is_getting_stronger.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/african_chambers_unite_to_strengthen_private_sector_role.php<p>African chambers of commerce met in the Ethiopian capital today to strengthen the continental chamber network, to lend greater support to the continent’s private sector and work more closely with chambers globally.</p> <p>The conference was held in the context of preparing African business to compete effectively and win market share amid ongoing globalization.</p> <p>Prince Sifiso Zulu led the discussions in the session focusing on the future role of chambers in Africa.“Developing economies are becoming more important, particularly in the light of the current global economic climate,” said Prince Sifiso Zulu, Vice Chair, ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) and Past President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce. “It[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=39#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo Temgo]Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:17:54 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/african_chambers_unite_to_strengthen_private_sector_role.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/credit_crisis_forces_emergency_moves_by_saudi_uae.php<p>Saudi Arabia slashed interest rates for an unprecedented third time since October and the United Arab Emirates intervened in a property merger on on Sunday in moves to contain the impact of the credit crunch. </p> <p>The developments show how the global financial crisis has torn through the Arab Peninsula, until recently thought immune due to massive sovereign savings and earnings from energy exports, with almost the same violence as in Europe and North America. <br /><br /> Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, reduced its key repurchase rate by 100 basis points to 3 percent to keep credit markets moving and boost domestic liquidity. <br /><br /> The kingdom's central bank also lowered reserve requirements to 7[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=38#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [webmaster]Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:47:21 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/credit_crisis_forces_emergency_moves_by_saudi_uae.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/yahoo_without_a_ceo_could_make_sense.php<p><span> The best candidate to take over for Jerry Yang as chief executive at Yahoo Inc may be a dealmaker, or nobody at all.</span></p> <p><span> Speculation has focused on well-known Internet and media figures</span><span>Jon Miller, formerly of AOL, Peter Chernin, currently of News Corp, Dan Rosensweig, formerly of Yahoo , and Susan Decker, currently its president, among others.<br /><br /><span> Each has a logic in terms of ability to remake Yahoo. The merit of nobody is that any other choice only delays what many investors see as the best alternative for struggling Yahoo -- to revive some form of a deal to sell all or part of the company to Microsoft Corp. "What Yahoo may need is a dealmaker, not a CEO,"[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=37#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [webmaster]Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:53:28 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/yahoo_without_a_ceo_could_make_sense.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/cc_chairman_urges_g20_leaders_to_adopt_bold_solutions_to_financial_crisis.php<p>Victor K. Fung, Chairman of ICC, has called on the leaders of the G20 nations to take bold and responsible actions to restore confidence in the world economy, including bringing the Doha Round to a successful conclusion.</p> <p>In a statement issued today, ICC welcomed the summit of G20 leaders in Washington at the end of this week to coordinate a response to the global financial crisis and stressed the need for increased international cooperation in trade and finance.</p> <p>“In finance, as in other areas of today’s interdependent world economy, international cooperation is vital to tackle major problems which transcend national boundaries, and which governments are increasingly unable to resolve on their own,” Mr Fung[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=36#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:05:39 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/cc_chairman_urges_g20_leaders_to_adopt_bold_solutions_to_financial_crisis.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/obamas_impact_on_small_business.php<p><em>Three experts answer questions on income taxes, depreciation deductions, labor policy, unions, medical leaves, and health-care reform</em></p> <p>The election is finally over, and as the dust settles, it's time for some accounting. How will small businesses fare under an Obama administration? Smart Answers columnist Karen E. Klein asked three experts—Bill Rys, tax counsel for advocacy group National Federation of Independent Business; Jay Sumner, labor law attorney with the law firm of Littler Mendelson; and John Arensmeyer, executive director of advocacy group Small Business Majority—to comment about issues important to entrepreneurs, including taxes, labor policy, and health care. Edited excerpts of their conversations[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=35#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:49:59 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/obamas_impact_on_small_business.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/us_election_to_benefit_some_industries_harm_others.php<p>Battered by the financial meltdown, America's business community is anxiously calculating how Tuesday's presidential election will aff ect it.</p> <p>nergy, pharmaceutical and telecommunications companies could face tax and other policy changes no matter who wins the White House. The outcome also could determine how well alternative energy developers, generic biotechnology companies, stem cell researchers and others fare.</p> <p>Labor unions put major resources behind Democrat Barack Obama and could wind up a big winner if he takes the White House. Nuclear power and the coal industry would get a boost if Republican John McCain prevails. Obama promises to raise corporate tax rates and income taxes on families making over $250,000; McCain[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=34#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:18:34 +0100http://www.icom7.com/en/news/us_election_to_benefit_some_industries_harm_others.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/google_tool_to_keep_emails_sober_.php<p>SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Google has adapted its free email service to help those letting loose after a few evening cocktails or succumbing to lovelorn moments from firing off messages they might regret in the morning.</p> <p>Mail Goggles software comes to life after dark and on weekends, when altered states of mind are more probable, and requires that five simple math problems be answered correctly in less than a minute in order to send a Gmail missive.</p> <p>"Sometimes I send messages I shouldn't send," Gmail engineer Jon Perlow wrote Monday in a website posting announcing the optional new feature.</p> <p>"Like the time I told that girl I had a crush on her over text message. Or the time I sent that late night email[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=33#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Masresha Yimer]Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:23:34 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/google_tool_to_keep_emails_sober_.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu_scientists_demonstrating_encryption_system.php<p>World première in Vienna: Quantum Cryptography Secures Communication in a Commercial Network</p> <p>For the first time the transmission of data secured by quantum cryptography is demonstrated within a commercial telecommunications network. 41 partners from 12 European countries have worked on realizing this quantum cryptographic network since April 2004. The overall objective is the integration of quantum cryptography into modern business applications. The work has been carried out within the Integrated EU-Project SECOQC (Development of a Global Network for Secure Communication Based on Quantum Cryptography), led by the Austrian Research Centers. The presentation of the quantum-cryptographic network marks the successful completion of the project after four[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=32#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Masresha Yimer]Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:29:16 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/eu_scientists_demonstrating_encryption_system.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Zimbabwe_replaces_10_trillion_banknote_.php<p>The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has introduced a $1,000 note -- $10 trillion in the old value -- as the country battles to end cash shortages in the hyper-inflationary environment.</p> <p>However, analysts said the new note -- which can only buy a loaf of bread -- will not ease pressure on cash shortages because of the ever-increasing prices.</p> <p>"It will not make even a small impact. What we need in Zimbabwe is a clear change of policies, start production and then inflation will start easing up," said John Robertson, an economic consultant. "The zeros seem to be coming back no matter how often they slash them."</p> <p>In August, <span class="cnnInlineTopic">Zimbabwe</span> slashed ten zeroes[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=30#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [webmaster]Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:02:04 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Zimbabwe_replaces_10_trillion_banknote_.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_to_hold_arbitration_workshop.php<p><img style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; float: left;" title="icc" src="http://www.iccwbo.org/uploadedImages/ICC/ICC_Home_Page/News_articles/2880/pida-arbitration-b.gif" alt="icc" width="150" height="100" />The ICC Institute of World Business Law is holding a three-and-a-half day workshop at the Paris Secretariat on 13-16 October, to familiarize legal professionals with the very latest practices in international commercial arbitration.</p> <p>This course is an annual fixture, and has been the springboard for many lawyers to ‘get their feet wet’ in international commercial arbitration,” said Serge Lazareff, Chairman of the ICC Institute of World Business Law.[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=16#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Jules Guiffo Temgo]Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:05:13 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_to_hold_arbitration_workshop.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_jointly_publishes_Business_Case_against_Corruption.php<p>To raise awareness of how companies can better counter corruption, ICC is publishing today “Clean Business Is Good Business: The Business Case against Corruption</p> <p>ICC has teamed up with Transparency International, the United Nations Global Compact, and the World Economic Forum Partnering Against Corruption Initiative in the publication of this invaluable guide.<br />Corruption is not only the biggest obstacle to development and economic growth, but also a major risk to companies, as recent stories in the press have demonstrated. Many corporate leaders today have assumed responsibility and implemented effective programmes to address the issue within their own organizations, and in collaboration with others<br />The joint publication by[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=15#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [webmaster]Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:05:14 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_jointly_publishes_Business_Case_against_Corruption.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Chinas_huge_market_is_biggest_Olympic_prize.php<p>More than 17 million people live in Beijing, China, the host city for the Summer Olympics that open Friday. That is more than the population of the past four host cities — Athens, Sydney, Atlanta and Barcelona — combined. China counts 1.3 billion residents, more than any country on Earth.</p> <p class="textBodyBlack"><img style="float: left; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" title="China market" src="http://tagtvonline.com/seyretfiles/localvideos/TAG_TV/Going_Global_Series/_thumbs/pearl.jpg" alt="China Market" width="200" height="136" />Never before has an Olympics been staged in a market so big — and so underserved. Though capitalism has been a fact of life[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=14#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Jules Guiffo Temgo]Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:22:44 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Chinas_huge_market_is_biggest_Olympic_prize.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/How_much_is_Olympic_ideal__or_decoration.php<p>BEIJING -- The shirtless old man shuffled down the middle of the narrow street, teeth as brown as his socks, the decay spreading into a smile.</p> <p>"People only look at the bad things in our country," Zhang Wen Bin said. "The Olympics will make them look at the good things." Under a sweltering, smoggy midday sun in this ancient neighborhood, it is difficult to find those good things.</p> <p>The alleys are lined with soda bottles filled with freshly boiled water. Dirty windows open to the sound of noisy fans clattering over junk-filled rooms. A bare-bottomed child plays in a murky puddle.<br /> <br /> Everyone, it seems, is hunched over against the sun and sweating through the heat.<br /> But, like Zhang, it seems[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=13#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:37:24 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/How_much_is_Olympic_ideal__or_decoration.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Google_to_launch_service_to_view_British_streets_online.php<p>London, July 31 (IANS) Google has cleared the hurdle of an anti-privacy case to go ahead with the launch this year of its Street View service which will offer ground level pictures of every British street online.</p> <p>Street View faced opposition from lawyers who said it infringes civil liberties. Some said it would help burglars select their targets in advance.</p> <p>Privacy watchdog Information Commissioner's Office, however, brushed aside the objections. 'We are satisfied that Google is putting in place adequate safeguards to avoid any risk to the privacy or safety of individuals, including the blurring of vehicle registration marks and the faces of anyone included in Street View images.<br /> 'Although it is possible that in[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=12#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:44:07 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Google_to_launch_service_to_view_British_streets_online.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Cuil_search_engine_takes_on_Google.php<p>A new search engine dubbed <a title="Cuil" onclick="window.open(this.href,'');return false;" href="http://www.cuil.com/">Cuil</a> is hoping to offer a rival to the likes of Google, Yahoo and Ask.<br /> Cuil is pronounced 'cool' and comes from an old Irish word meaning 'knowledge'.</p> <p>The site has indexed 120 billion web pages, which it claims is three times more than any other search engine, and results are organised by ideas rather than just rankings. Cuil also boasts complete user privacy.</p> <p>The new search engine will attempt to analyse the context of each page and the concepts behind each query, thereby grouping similar results together and sorting them by[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=11#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [webmaster]Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:24:26 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Cuil_search_engine_takes_on_Google.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_updates_banktobank_reimbursement_rules.php<p>James Borel, Group Vice President of agricultural and chemicals multinational DuPont, represented ICC during the High-level Thematic Debate on Rural Development organized by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) here on 3 July 2008.</p> <p>Mr Borel detailed a five-point plan for reforming the agricultural economy to UN members and other stakeholders. He also highlighted the importance of a successful agricultural economy, not only as short-term solution for poverty alleviation but also as a requirement for achieving sustainability.</p> <p>“Agriculture must be a higher priority in a world of increasing food demand and limited resources,” Mr Borel said.</p> <p>Buttressing his argument, Mr Borel cited a recent World[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=5#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [webmaster]Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:46:51 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_updates_banktobank_reimbursement_rules.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_hails_G8_pledge_to_halve_emissions.php<p>ICC welcomed a historic statement by the G8 group of industrial nations today to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and calling on all major economies to commit to meaningful mitigation actions in the international agreement to be negotiated by the end of next year. <br /><br />“The nations of the G8 are leading by the example they are setting today. Business welcomes this commitment by the world’s largest economies towards an inclusive global agreement on climate change. Business will be by far the largest developer, user and investor in clean technology to address global warming. A global pact is necessary to give business the level of certainty it needs to make these major investments,” said ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban.[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=4#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Jules Guiffo Temgo]Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:08:29 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_hails_G8_pledge_to_halve_emissions.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Deutsche_Bank_appoints_Amrit_Singh_as_MA_chief.php<p>MUMBAI: Deutsche Bank on Thursday appointed Amrit Singh as the head of Merger & Acquisitions (M&A) India of its subsidiary Deutsche Equities India Pvt Ltd (DEIPL). <br />"His addition to the M&A team, he will help consolidate our position as the dominant player in investment banking in the country," Deutsche Bank India Managing Director Gunit Chadha said in a statement. <br />The company has built strong momentum based on structuring and execution capabilities and with the appointment it would further strengthen that process, he said.</p>http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=3#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [icom7 Team]Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:47:37 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/Deutsche_Bank_appoints_Amrit_Singh_as_MA_chief.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/iPhone_at_just_over_Rs_8000_Well_may_not_be.php<p> Vodafone and Airtel started pre-registering customers for the iPhone 3G this week, and ever since, offices and blogs have been abuzz with discussions on what Apple’s much-awaited product will be priced at. <br />Many think it will be just a shade over Rs 8,000 — the rupee equivalent of the price in the US, which is $199. Now, that’s a fantastic price for the 8GB product, and will certainly have every competitor worried. <br />Nokia’s 8GB N95 smartphone , for instance, is priced at well over Rs 25,000, and its new N96 is expected to come at over Rs 36,000. <br />But we think the iPhone, expected to hit the Indian market in September, will be priced substantially higher than Rs 8,000. <br />The $199 price is[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=2#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [icom7 Team]Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:43:58 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/iPhone_at_just_over_Rs_8000_Well_may_not_be.phphttp://www.icom7.com/http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_takes_part_in_UN_hearings_on_Financing_for_Development.php<p>ICC participated in hearings on the review of the Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development on 18 June at the UN headquarters in New York. <br />The hearings were organized in preparation for the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus to be held in Doha, Qatar, from 29 November to 2 December 2008. <br />ICC’s presentation provided a world business perspective on the key contribution made by cross-border trade and investment to development financing, over the period since the Monterrey Consensus was adopted in 2002. The presentation also considered the implications of recent economic, trade and investment policy developments for the review process. <br />The[...]http://www.icom7.com/en/comments.php?news=1#comment_pageinfo@icom7.com [Jacques Guiffo]Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:45:17 +0200http://www.icom7.com/en/news/ICC_takes_part_in_UN_hearings_on_Financing_for_Development.phphttp://www.icom7.com/