GLG News by Banana Industry Experts

By restricting Microsoft's ability to bundle unrelated features (such as media players, server software) to Windows, the EU ruling will bolster competition & innovation in the software industry.   The judgement further asserts that companies may not unfairly prevent rival products from...

French business and equities would take a plunge if Ms. Royal were elected President in April next. Ms. Royal’s personal economic views are statist & interventionist; if elected she would have to govern with an alliance of unreconstructed Socialists and Communists. Far from...

The European Commission plans to propose measures to bring emissions of greenhouse gases from the average new car down to 120g of CO2 per kilometer by 2012 - 25% below the 2005 level of 162g/km.Final provisions will depend on a host of complex negotiations, but the overall trend is clear: ...

Total’s incoming CEO has declared his company’s intention to enter the nuclear electricity business. Given France’s wealth of nuclear expertise, Total seems better positioned than many other oil companies to acquire this new competence.   Yet, Total may be tempted to buy, as opposed to...

In the context of the new EU overall energy and environmental strategy, the European Commission proposed on 31 January a revision to the 1998 fuel quality directive that will have far-reaching implications for the oil industry. Oil industry representatives are up in arms, claiming that the...

This short and sharp article should be carefully considered by any senior manager worth his salt. “Companies that prosper in an environment of changing climate and policies will tend to be those that are early to recognise its importance and inexorability, foresee at least some of the implications...

The related areas of energy policy & climate change are now firmly at the forefront of the European Commission’s program for the years ahead. Despite tactical retreats, as on CO2 emissions targets for the motor industry, the overall trend points towards significant liberalization of energy...

- Less petro chemical ingredients in food will turn out to be better for health.- Consumers do feel this, and that's why organic markets are growing between 5 and 20 % during last 2 years in Europe.- Growth will be stable for organic markets, and organic is the future growth market in the food...

Reports from the Dominican government and US Embassy in Santo Domingo indicate that Verizon and the government have reached an agreement on the amount of sales tax to be paid on the $2bn sale of earlier this year. Reports are that both sides agreed to a sales tax payment of approx. $200m rather than...

Ecuadorian President-elect Rafael Correa announced that he wants to revise oil exploration contracts between the government and foreign companies to increase revenues and he will also not withdraw the government's unilateral cancelation of Occidental Petroleum investment contracts in the country. Coupled...