Famu_Business

January 24, 2007 Business Weekly Class #3 Nationalization may have different look Hugo Chavez rushed to sell shares Venezuela's biggest telecommunications and power companies and also said that he would nationalize them. While Chavez, runs about 90 % of the business in Venezuela I’m not shock at all to see him nationalizing companies. THAILAND: BANKING CHAOS Thai Farmers has reported a $100 million second-quarter loss, its stock price has plunged 65%. Thailand's woes represent a disturbing new stage in Asia's unfolding crisis. With options running thin, the government may have to take over all but a handful of the country's 15 banks. Many even consider the idea nationalization, but insist that it would only would be temporary. Chávez' Oil-Fueled Revolution Known for making “wise”decisions . Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is stepping up a program of expropriation that could bedevil a number of businesses, both locally owned and foreign. With Venezuela's opposition so divided, Chávez' experiment could continue for years. THE EXPLOSIVE TRADE DEAL YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF U.S. companies want stronger rules protecting U.S. investment overseas and more incentives for luring foreign money into the U.S. Therefore congress would rewrite the rules of foreign ownership--affecting everything from factories to real estate and even securities. Taiwan: The Reformer in Charge Nobody knew what to expect when they elected Chen Shui-bian declared winner in Taiwan's Mar. 18 presidential election. All the voters expected was to get some good results back. Whether Chen has the diplomatic skills to manage a real rapprochement with Beijing remains to be seen. His abilities as a statesman could well determine whether Chen stumbles badly or emerges as the architect of a new Taiwan. Morales: Bolivia to nationalize mining After Bolivia shipped some $485 million of mostly zinc, silver, gold, and tin during the first half of 2006 -- on pace to easily top 2005's total mineral exports of $536 million. Many never thought it would be a world wide drought. As a results Bolivian President Evo Morales pledge to nationalize his country's mining industry, saying he would complete the task this year due to lack of funds. Bosnia’s Telecom Divide The move to sell Telecom Srpske found the leader’s of Bosnia’s other half, the largely Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) ad Croat Federation entity, exposes to charges of passivity and incomptence as it has failed to complete preparations for the long planned privatization of two state owned telecom operators in the federation. Japanese banks returning to health While several trends are supporting the current turnaround, a widely expected increase in interest rates is likely to squeeze short-term profits at banks and the impending privatization of Japan Post will pose tough competition to mid-sized regional lenders. Nevertheless outlook for international banking operations is especially upbeat. Venezuela's Chavez Rattles Markets The Caracas Stock Exchange's general index fell a record 19% on Jan. 9, the day after Chavez even mention the word nationalization. Moreover Government initiatives have also been centered on failed or failing enterprises whose owners were often eager to unload their assets to the government to avoid having to pay workers severance benefits. Maximus Inc.: Welfare Privatizer As head of fast-growing Maximus Inc. MMS, Mastran also has plenty of incentive of his own to succeed. Today, Maximus holds a leading 30% share of the booming privatization market in health and human services, ahead of huge conglomerates such as Lockheed Martin Corp. Having helped stimulate the move to privatization, Mastran is finding that government programs are a gold mine of opportunity