Latest Issue

So there we have it – delay after delay eventually transformed itself into an agreement: to halve Greece’s bond debt to the banks. The write down is obviously welcome by the debtors but the big questions remain – is this the sovereign debt silver bullet? If it’s just a painkiller how long will the aesthetic last? And once it wears off will the wound ever heal.

One thing is for sure – any deal is better than no deal. And hopefully, the bailout will provide enough room for the markets to manoeuvre itself onto a steadier path.

However, for many millions the deal will still create hardship and the bad blood and rancour will continue. But whatever the outcome, the world will still keep turning - and to that end trade will continue, the economic cycle will regenerate itself, and we will still be here next issue to say we told you so…

Drawing your attention away from the sky falling in, we have some cracking features lined up for this issue. First up, is a profile of Rovio, the Finnish content development company behind Angry Birds. A team who – if the world economy collapsed tomorrow - would still have you forgetting all your troubles for hours on end in the futile pursuit of rescuing eggs from evil green pigs – or at least until the battery on your phone pegs out.

We have investment reports on Finland, a nation that simply refuses to get bogged down by the trials and tribulations of European Union membership. Going from strength to strength through the sovereign debt debacle, this northernmost EU nation should be an inspiration to us all.

But then we have to give Germany its due, also. This nation of mutualised industry may not be compassionate capitalism personified, but right now it’s the closest thing we’ve got. This issue pays tribute to Germany’s economic strengths, it’s pragmatism, and it’s reciprocating methods of State-sponsored symbiosis – an alliterative statement you really don’t read every day!

Macedonia’s emerging market also comes under our microscope, along with an update on Caribbean OFCs with Nevis and Saint Kitts. There’s also an excellent piece of sustainable business tourism and conferencing in Portugal, and good sized portion of insight on New York’s changing skyline and the altered property ambitions of the city’s residents.

Meanwhile back in Europe, real estate has lifted its head above the parapet once more and we investigate the best locations for gung-ho investors. Finally, we have an excellent photo spread courtesy of Dutch shutterbug, Rob Hornstra, who’s serial forays into Russia cast a critical eye over the people of the world’s largest country. His books now sell by the barrow-load, but they would never have been seen if it wasn’t for his own determined effort to self publish…