Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA The Muslim month Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer, reflection and family time, begins today and ends 12 May. Business in Muslim countries will be a little more difficult due to changes in government and office working hours during the Ramadan period. To all in the Muslim world --- Ramadan Mabrouk. There are now several programs in the works for the rebuilding of the port in Beirut. The container shipping company CMA CGM has a $600 million program for the rebuilding of the docks and warehouses while a German program calls for a new port outside Beirut with the old, damaged port to become parkland, offices, and homes. It is also reported that Dubai’s DP World and some...
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.
Key Market Insights The broad market is locked in on this week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, but this is no longer just a trade summit. Increasingly, the meeting is becoming tied directly to Iran, energy security, and the growing global economic fallout from disruptions through the Strai...