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