The "Lightbulb" and how inflation affects Moldovan people

One of our very talented Moldovan young director ans screen writer, Igor Cobileanski has created a short-length movie entitled "When the lights go out" -
1) What is the leitmotif of the movie?
2) How does inflation affect everyone in this movie? Why do people agree to bet?
3) How is the topic of 'corruption' brought up in the movie?
3) How do you like the English-Romanian translation of the American's doctor speech in hospital?
4) Did you enjoy the movie? Why? Why not? Do you think this Moldovan director is a promising film creator?

What World Bank has to say about Eastern Europe and the World Crisis

Why did Latvia’s prime minister and cabinet resign on Friday?
Why did leaders of Europe met over the weekend in Berlin?
What did World Bank President Robert Zoellick have to say about Western nations and the economies of Eastern Europe?
Are Western banks more focused on their core markets at home or are more willing to extend the needed credit to the east?
Read the Article published in the CSMonitor on February the 23rd and find out the answers.

Which country succeded in avoiding the World Crisis?

According to Wasshington Post, while the United States reels from the global financial crisis, with credit markets still frozen and stock prices careening from highs to lows, Canada has remained relatively insulated.Canadian banks have not gone shaky like their American counterparts, economists and other experts said. There is no subprime mortgage or home foreclosure mess. And while the United States fears a prolonged recession, Canadians have remained relatively sanguine, convinced that they are in a good position to weather the economic tsunami from the south.
Read the following article and answer the following questions:
1. Why did Michael Gregory, chief economist at BMO Nesbitt Burns, an investment firm, say: "We will be pulled down, not as deep, not as long"?
2. How are Canadian banks different from American ones and how did that help them avoid the crisis?
3. How does the World Economic Forum rate Canada's banks compared to those of Sweden and Luxembourg.

Sweatshops in Europe - is Moldova included?

In class we discussed about Nike's sweatshops. Read the article published by Business Week and answer the following questions:

- Is Moldova mentioned in the article as one of the European countries practicing sweatshops based production?
- What does the European Textile Assn claim about the U.S. and Europe global apparel consumption?

- What is Fair Labor Assn?

- What does John Greene, the head of codes of conduct for C&A in Brussels, one of Europe's largest clothing retailers, have to say about the issue?

- What is the Clean Clothes Campaign?

Moldova - # 90 out of 120 Best Countries for Business according to Forbes

According to an article published by Forbes in June 2008, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over pricing. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006. However, in 2007 growth returned to the 6% level Moldova had achieved in 2000-05, boosted by Russia's partial removal of the bans, solid fixed capital investment, and strong domestic demand driven by remittances from abroad.

Read more on Forbes' official website and come up with your own prediction - how about 2009? Is Moldova ging to climb or go down Forbes' list?

Forbes: Corruption is the enemy of wealth, trust and justice

I have just read a very interesting article on corruption by Forbes. Have a look at the World Map Corruption Distribution:

- Identify Moldova's place and rating - any surprises there?

- What do you think of the world distribution of corruption?
- Which countries are placed on the top and which are on the bottom of the scale?

- Do you agree with Michael's Johnston's quote that "Corruption is the enemy of wealth, trust and justice"?

- How do you explin this: Australia was among the world's most corrupt countries 100 years ago; now it is among the least?

- How can we fight it in our country?

"Make it in Moldova"

" Make it in Moldova " - Moldovan investment promotion campaign on BBC

So this is the way Moldova is trying to call new investments and new foreign capital to increase it's economic situation. Here we see an optimistic example to show our situation of our country, of living here. It is the best way to show how moldavian people are.
If Moldova is not developed country it doesn't mean that this country don't wont to increase it's level of economy and the level of general situation. Moldavian people is actively participating in implementing new ideas, new technologies and all kind of new stuff in our economy and in our culture.

" Let's Make It In Moldova "

Watch this video - what do you think about this video?
Make a comparison with the video of World's Bank about Moldovas situation and "Moldovan investment promotion campaign" video.
How do you think what is the best video for Moldova to improve wellbeing?

Obama's Plan to fight the crisis

Read about Obama's plan to fight the world crisis.
Do you thin this plan will help the US economy to avoid recession?

If there is a silver lining to the current sorry state of our economy and financial markets, it is that the Obama administration and Congress are likely to bend over backwards to make life a bit easier for taxpayers. Their focus will be on restarting our economy, and increasing taxes won't help. Eventually, of course, taxpayers will be stuck with the bill. More here:

Watch the following video - what does the author have to say about Obama's plan?

Top 100 Moldova Business - which bank made it in the list

Visit the Top 100 Moldova Business website and find out which bank got into the top 100 businesses in the country. Answer the following questions:

1) Which bank is recognized as the leader in the banking sector of Republic of Moldova?

2) Which are the two big categories of customers the organization structure of MAIB is set up on?

3) What did the bak create in order to ensure a more efficient and qualitative catering of the commercial customers?

4) What is the bank's network? (branches and representative offices)

5) Do you agree with the authors of this website? Why? Why not? Is there another Moldovan bank which should have gotten in the list? What are the criteria for selecting a top bank?

The Net Profit of the Banking System in Moldova - 2008 review - 2009 prediction

According to the Moldavian Business Portal in 2008, net profit of the banking system of Moldova amounted to 1 billion 270,3 million leis ($ 120,6 million), having increased by 16,9% as compared with 2007. Review the numbers posted on the official website and answer the following questions:

1. Did the share of foreign investments in the capital of the banks amounted or decreased in 2008?

2. How about the total assets of the banking system of Moldova ( refer to the net loan portfolio)

3. Which sectors accounted for the greatest share of the total loan portfolio:

- loans to agriculture and food industry

- loans for industry and trade

- mortgage loans for construction and development

4. Did the deposits increase or decrease in 2008?

World Bank in Moldova - New Projects

I have just come across an article from the the World Bank official webpage, where Moldova is presented as the "poorest country in Europe". Check the following link and let me know what you think - is the World Bank's plan to invest in Moldova going to help? More here

IMPROVING MOLDOVAN INFRASTRUCTURE—Moldova faces many obstacles in its path to modernization—among them a crumbling infrastructure. One government program supported by the World Bank gives communities grants for repairs they choose, as long as they pitch in, too.

HELPING MOLDOVAN WINE EXPORTS—Wine making has a long tradition in Moldova. In Soviet times and afterwards, Russia bought almost all of Moldova’s wine. Today, Moldova is looking to expand its traditional export market by seeking new buyers in Europe and Asia. The Moldovan government, with help from a World Bank program, is assisting wine companies to find new markets.

BUSINESS START UPS IN MOLDOVA—The former Soviet nation of Moldova is still adjusting to its transition to a market economy: Economic output plummeted between 1991 and 1999. Despite strong growth in the last few years, nearly a third of its citizens are impoverished, and unemployment is high. But a government program supported by the World Bank is helping to create income earning opportunities in rural areas like Glodeni—a county where half the work force is out of a job.

The World Bank (WB) & The International Monetary Fund (IMF)

This is a clip from the documentary "The New Rulers of The World" by film maker John Pilger. Take your time to watch it and share your comments:
1. What did you think of the image of the World Bank presented in the video?
2. What are the arguments that supprt the author's point of view on the WB and the its IMF control most of the world's cash flow?
3. Do you agree or disagree with John Pilger's point of view?

The History of the Banking System

We started watching in class the first part of a great video on how the banking sistem started. Feel free to share your comments on this blog. Answer the following questions:
1. What do you think of the movie - is the way the banking system presented here close to what you know about banking?
2. Was there anything you found surprising, shocking or unexpected in the movie?
3. What is the general image of the banking system presented here?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the basic concept of the movie?

Business Vocabulary - Great Online Resources

I have found a great online resource I want you all to use in order to learn new vocabulary related to Banking and Business in general: Business English Pod
YouTube is also a great resource - it features a series of videos presentations and slideshows on the basic business vocabulary for EFL/ESL (English as a Second/Foreign Language) students. Check out the following video and let me know what you think.