QE program unveiled for Eurozone

The European Central Bank (ECB) recently took a policy leap by launching its own Quantitative Easing (QE) program – a bond purchasing policy to inject new money to revive the Eurozone’s economy. Will it work? Leon Perera, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Research and Consulting shared his insights in The Business Times – Views from the top section on the effectiveness of the QE program.

With the launch of the QE program, the ECB hopes to boost economic growth and check deflation. This will be achieved through the purchase of both government and private sector bonds worth €60 billion from March 2015 until September 2016.

Perera commented that, while better than nothing, the ECB’s QE program is small in comparison with the scale of the problem facing Europe. It will most likely have to be increased and sustained for some time before any results are seen.

Moreover, the ECB runs the risk of trading short-term quantity for long-term quality of growth. This is due to the reduced pressure on governments to set their fiscal and competitive agenda in order. However given the threat of deflation becoming entrenched, this is a risk worth taking.

It remains to be seen whether the QE program will succeed in reviving the Eurozone’s economic fortunes.

https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/media/qe-program-unveiled-for-eurozone/

Comments

Breaking gender rules through video-gaming

Computer games have traditionally been developed with men in mind. Sadia Bashir from Pakistan is breaking with this tradition. She is the owner of PixelArt Games Academy and a member of Forbes’ 30 under 30 for Asia 2018. Working towards bridging the gap between industry demand and education by providing training in video game development, Sadia has been in the field since she was 13 years old. Intel is also working towards the same goal as Sadia, having recently invested USD300 million towards gender diversity in the gaming sector. Will the gaming industry embrace gender diversity? Read here more:https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/breaking-gender-rules-through-video-gaming/

Spire shares business advice to start-ups on Indonesian market entry

On 17 July, Spire participated as a market advisor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Market Validation Program in Jakarta, Indonesia. Jeffrey Bahar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Spire Research and Consulting Group held sessions with Singaporean companies planning to expand their business into Indonesia. Jeffrey pointed out the utility of high-tech approaches for start-ups entering Indonesia, such as online advertising, usage of the Internet of things (IoT), data analytics and even Artificial Intelligence (AI). These approaches enable starts-ups to bypass mature importer-principal relationships that may be hard to overcome through conventional means. He also shared with individual companies his thoughts on developing customized strategies for Indonesian market entry. Get more information : https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/events/spire-shares-business-advice-to-start-ups-on-indonesian-market-entry/

Ethiopia’s Strategic Cooperation with China

Over the past decade, Ethiopia has experienced an average economic growth rate of about 10%. Ethiopia is expected to grow by 8.5% in 2018, topping China’s projected growth of 6.5%. In recent times, the Ethiopian government has abandoned its 1970’s Communist ideology and put in place some basic reforms. They went on to build sturdy infrastructure and launch a successful industrial policy, calling to mind China’s own development pathway. The Chinese have contributed significantly to the building of Ethiopian infrastructure, with rail systems, buildings and dams. Will Ethiopia succeed in copying China’s development model? Read here more: https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/ethiopias-strategic-cooperation-with-china/

Gazing into the crystal ball for 2020

A new year means hopes for better global economic growth. What lies ahead? Leon Perera, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Research and Consulting, shared his insights in Business Times – Singapore. A return of normalcy for global economic growth is foreseen despite uncertainties for Brexit and the US-China trade war. The RCEP trade agreement further promises a boost to global growth. Leon further pointed out rising tension due to US’s rigid stance against North Korea, China and Iran. Risk of political fragmentation and global trade is likely with countries set to align to either Chinese or the US spheres of influence. However, hopes of a more rational and rule-based governance remain. Read more: https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/media/gazing-into-the-crystal-ball-for-2020/

Family cafés the answer to Finland’s aging society

Finland’s largest non-profit organization (NPO), Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL) dedicated to child and family welfare, run Family café sessions for a nominal fee. Such cafés were established in Sweden in the 1970s and moved to Nordic countries in the early 2000’s. These cafes help combat loneliness and contribute towards the mental health of parents in Finland’s aging society with low fertility rates. Will family cafés promote mental health and family life in Finland’s rapidly aging society? Read more: https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/spirethoughts/family-cafes-the-answer-to-finlands-aging-society/

The Knowledge to Decide

Search This Blog