Chessboard Development ♘
economic development
Tsunami of Trash (Video)
The continued economic development of Bali, Indonesia, is dependent upon a thriving tourism sector. However, ocean plastic pollution threats to derail progress on this island paradise.
Tsunami of Trash – Ocean Plastic Pollution in Bali
On the beaches of Bali, Indonesia, where tourists arrive from around the world to experience the island’s amazingly warm culture and climate, there is a quiet crisis brewing. You can see it around the colorful pontoon fishing boats when they come ashore after pulling in their morning catch. It lurks beneath the surface of the … Continue reading
Islamic Finance and Economic Development
Question of the Day: Can the principles of Islamic finance, where no interest on loans can be charged, be reconciled with the fundamentals of economic development and the need for flexible lending arrangements for small businesses? Photos Courtesy of TriciaAnneMitchell.com
Bombs Away! JMAS De-mining of UXO in Laos
The rear door of the SUV opened and the six of us stepped out into a fog-shrouded field in eastern Laos. My eyes peered through the haze, methodically scanning the horizon for the attraction that had brought my wife and me out into this remote corner of Southeast Asia. Then, a puff of fog swept by, … Continue reading
“Please Sir, Give Me a Job!” – Underemployment in Bali, Indonesia
On the eastern edge of the Indian Ocean, there is an island that the world must visit and understand. The people that inhabit this paradise believe that what goes around, comes around in the next life, and they will go to great lengths to ensure that their interactions with others are of the highest integrity. … Continue reading
Skyward Strategies
After flying aboard three Boeing 777s from Frankfurt, Germany, to Dubai, U.A.E, to Singapore to Denpasar, Indonesia, I can’t help but reflect on the old days of air travel when ash trays were standard components of the arm rests, and a cassette tape Walkman was your only form of electronic entertainment. Back then, the food … Continue reading
Romania: Aesthetics and Tourism
From the coast of the Black Sea, to the Carpathian Mountains, Romania is a country rich in beauty, history, and economic opportunity. A patchwork quilt of empires have ruled over these lands of Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia for thousands of years, leaving their legacies scattered across the country in the form of castles, churches, and genetics. … Continue reading
Double Nickel for the Autobahn?
Do highway speed limits slow economic growth? Major car manufacturers in Germany say they do. After recent elections that ushered in the environmentally proactive Green Party, there has been a concerted push to implement speed limits throughout the country, leading to a backlash from German automotive companies. While the Green Party argues that speed limits … Continue reading
Back in the USSR
How long does it take to convert from communism to capitalism? While Russia’s recent hard currency gains for oil exports may point to substantial progress, my recent experience in the Baltic city of St. Petersburg suggests that it takes longer than the 20 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union. My reasoning stems not … Continue reading
The Allure of Europe
Attempting to capture a slice of the expanding pie of international tourism, which accounted for over 30% of the world’s exports of commercial services in 2010, has long been a starting point for any region looking to move up the economic development value chain. Generally, little start-up capital is required, enabling service providers to focus on … Continue reading
