Search Results for: Russia

The Nordic and Baltic beer markets are increasingly diverse, with craft beer sales growing faster than those for standard beers across the region, with only Lithuania bucking the trend. According to UK-based market researcher GlobalData (which owns Just Drinks), sales of craft beers Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Latvia have all seen significant sales increases over the past five years with many exhibiting double-digit growth.…

The list of Russian assets seized by its European and north American opponents grows ever larger, with super yachts joining bank accounts and expensive properties being sequestered. But could they be sold? Should they be sold? And should the money be spent on rebuilding Ukraine, if it drives out the Russian invader?…

While forecasts of a global recession are far from conclusive, the World Bank has in its latest international economy assessment released in September (2022) warned that such a downturn is a real possibility for 2023. (1) The reason is potential government spending tightening to deal with inflation rates not witnessed since the 1990s or earlier: “To stem risks from persistently high inflation, and in a context of limited fiscal space, many countries are withdrawing monetary and fiscal support,” noted the bank.…

THE EUROPEAN Union (EU) Council of Ministers has widened the scope of comprehensive sanctions imposed on Russia since it invaded Ukraine on February 24 so they can also be imposed on people or organisations helping to breach these measures.

In a statement, the Council said it said “circumvention of certain EU restrictive measures is likely to contribute to destabilising Ukraine or undermining its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.”…

A new excise tax – on sugary drinks, of Russian Rubles RUB7 (EUR0.12 cents) per litre – could appear in Russia. The bill was adopted in the first reading by the State Duma on October 18. The new tax may be introduced as early as January 1, 2023.…

If proof were needed that the European Union (EU) was genuinely concerned about the boom in energy prices sparked by Russia’s bloody invasion of Ukraine, it is surely a decision made by the EU Council of Ministers on September 30 to back an EU energy tax law, for implementation on December 1 (2022).…

Consumers of athleisure and performance gear will drive demand for sustainability in this segment, before requirement in materials and industrial processes are mandated by regulations, textile industry observers have indicated. As a result, existing brands have been warned by market experts to focus on product development, facing competition from newcomers keen to capitalise on increases sales for this segment witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic. …

FATF has acted against Russia, further squeezing it from the international AML/CFT system over its invasion of Ukraine, that as of October 17 had killed 6,306 civilians (UN figures). The global AML body’s latest plenary meeting highlighted the “needless loss of life, suffering and destruction” caused by the invasion, with Russia violating “FATF’s core principles [on] the security, safety and the integrity of the financial system”.…

With AML/CFT technology becoming ever more powerful and sophisticated, such as the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to process and analyse data, the pressure on AML-obliged bodies to update their information AML/CFT technology (IT) systems is growing.…

The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on Sri Lanka on Thursday October 6 calling for accountability, human rights and reconciliation in this important clothing manufacturing outsourcing centre that has suffered from intense political and economic turmoil. There is growing international pressure on the new Sri Lanka government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to promote calm (1) as the country grapples with financial shortages, logistical disruption and political legitimacy problems, worsened by widespread government corruption.…