East Timor the Steven Bradbury of SWF’s!

Karl FitzgeraldCommentaryLeave a Comment

photo credit: J.P. Esperança East Timor’s Sovereign Wealth Fund has outperformed all the big boys by playing it conservative. Well done! East Timor’s oil fund is thriving thanks to boring investment. IN THE East Timorese capital’s joke of a “financial district”, roosters scratch in the dust as a family of goats bleat at vendors selling porn CDs, “jiggy-jig” as they … Read More

Foreign investors exploit cheap Vanuatu land

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Last night’s 7.30 Report saw the long awaited report on Vanuatu’s freedom being curtailed by foreign investors. The high rents are hurting, as is the understanding of the lost opportunities when millions in profits are being siphoned out of the country by the real estate industry . This industry is largely dominated by expat aussies ‘making a new start’. A … Read More

Vanuatu – The World’s Happiest People?

Karl FitzgeraldArticles, Progress Magazine17 Comments

Karl Fitzgerald As published in the Mar – April Progress magazine. Get a copy of this cane paper, veggie ink mag sent to you for 6 free editions Related Event – Thurs April 30th – Vanuatu’s Sovereignty Surrendered The World’s Happiest People A 2006 study by the New Economics Foundation and Friends of the Earth found that Vanuatu was the … Read More

Fiji Coup and Radical Reactions

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photo credit: yuko_ppp2501 Renegade Economist Podcast 85 Subscribe to the podcast As broadcast on April 15th, 2009 via the almighty www.3CR.org.au. Radical reactions: we talk to Mosese Waqa (Pacific Islands Network) on the Fiji coup. We provide the full extended interview detailing the 4 coups, australian vis chinese diplomatic styles and future war games. Close to 55 minutes in 2 … Read More

Tax Breaks for Mining Companies must stop

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photo credit: Rui Almeida (Portugal) Those who read our recent post on Papau New Guinea will find this important reading. A new report entitled Breaking the Curse: How Transparent Taxation and Fair Taxes can Turn Africa’s Mineral Wealth into Development. The conglomerate of aid agencies behind the report state: For example, Zambia’s mining law allows the minister in charge to … Read More