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