Emerging Markets – Page 4 – Twenty Third Floor

banking, book reviews, credit risk, currency risk, economics, Emerging Markets, financial risk, market risk, predictive modelling, unemployment

Book Review: This Time is Different

19 July 2011

David Kirk

It’s chock-full of analysis, numbers, tables and charts showing how as much as things change, the scope for financial crises changes very little. The comparison of Developed and Emerging Markets is particularly interesting in that the differences, while they do exist, are far smaller than stereotypical views. Emerging Markets do tend to have more ongoing…
Read more: Book Review: This Time is Different
economics, Emerging Markets, unemployment

The potential solution becomes part of the problem

13 July 2011

David Kirk

Improved education is the key to long-term employability of our population and a reduction in structural unemployment. Some argue that the political strength of teachers’ unions is an obstacle to improving standards and skills and attendance by teachers. Now SADTU seems to be supporting calls for nationalisation. So those who should be part of the…
Read more: The potential solution becomes part of the problem
creating value, economics, Emerging Markets, financial risk, investments, managing uncertainty, measurement

Have all the World Cup expenses been counted?

12 July 2011

David Kirk

Airports Company SA, “ACSA”Â now has some of the highest feesÂ in the world. Apparently they need to fund the huge “investment expenditure” incurredÂ in upgrading on our airports recently for the World Cup. This begs the questions: What business plans were used in determining investment on our airports? How did actual experience compare to…
Read more: Have all the World Cup expenses been counted?
Actuarial and Risk, Emerging Markets, insurance, life insurance

In Bahrain for a few days

12 July 2011

David Kirk

I’m in Bahrain for a few days kicking off an ERM implementation project. 35 degrees at 7am in Doha on the way there… Bahrain has a population of around 1.2 million but has a well developed insurance sector. Economies of scale limit domestic growth and regional expansion faces tough competition and increased complexity. Will be…
Read more: In Bahrain for a few days
credit risk, currency risk, economics, Emerging Markets, news

Would you lend money to the Swazi King?

25 June 2011

David Kirk

South Africa has been approached for a loan to Swaziland, rumoured to be in the R10bn ballpark. Swaziland’s economy is teetering. Amongst other causes, HIV/AIDS is probably worse than any other place on the planet. But most shockingly of all, it’s still a monarchy with political parties banned. If we lend them money, we probably…
Read more: Would you lend money to the Swazi King?
banking, credit risk, currency risk, economics, Emerging Markets, insight, news

Trevor Manuel not going for top IMF post

12 June 2011

David Kirk

Minister in the Presidency and head of the National Planning Commission, Trevor Manuel, says he is not in the running for the MD position at the International Monetary Fund. No economic qualifications Oversaw popular decreases in taxes and increase in social handouts but did nothing for infrastructure, competitiveness or efficiency of our country Oversaw the…
Read more: Trevor Manuel not going for top IMF post
creating value, economics, Emerging Markets, insight, measurement, optimisation, statistics, unemployment

The Primary Cause of Structural Unemployment in South Africa: Poor Education Standards and Policy

11 June 2011

David Kirk

South Africa’s unemployment is a different creature from that in the US and in the developed world’s papers at the moment. We don’t have a cyclical lack of demand (although demand isn’t as robust as I’d like). Â We have massive, unmanaged structural unemployment in large sectors of the economy. I say “in large sectors of…
Read more: The Primary Cause of Structural Unemployment in South Africa: Poor Education Standards and Policy
banking, currency risk, economics, Emerging Markets, inflation

At least it’s a better idea than gold-backed currency

13 May 2011

David Kirk

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi are targeting 2012 for adopting a common currency. What they gain is a more stable currency arising out of a larger trade bloc, with better liquidity in currency transactions (and thus lower cost for transactions).Â They might even had a slightly improved allocation of capital across the countries now…
Read more: At least it’s a better idea than gold-backed currency

Twenty Third Floor

Figuring out the future and the now

Category: Emerging Markets

Book Review: This Time is Different

The potential solution becomes part of the problem

Have all the World Cup expenses been counted?

In Bahrain for a few days

Would you lend money to the Swazi King?

Trevor Manuel not going for top IMF post

The Primary Cause of Structural Unemployment in South Africa: Poor Education Standards and Policy

At least it’s a better idea than gold-backed currency

About David Kirk

Featured Posts

Categories