Archive for November, 2007
Why Walmart is Welcome: The Agro-Retail Revolution in India
The WSJ Asia is carrying an article (Metro’s new system produces India growth, subscribers only) that outlines how Metro, amongst others, is (re)inventing the agricultural supply chain in India:
Metro is the first Western retailer to tackle a fundamental problem facing Wal-mart and other retailers trying to enter India today: how to stock their huge supercenter [...]
A Small Victory for Islamic Conservatives, A Giant Defeat for Indian Secularism
The BBC has just reported that Taslima Nasreen, the Bangladeshi author at the heart of Kolkata’s riots, has been escorted out of the city, following a demand by Kolkata police that she leave the city.
This is a tragedy of colossal proportions, akin to Modi’s support of the Godhara riots. But the biggest tragedy in simply that [...]
Venture Capital and Cleantech Innovation
Cleantech venture capital may have to accommodate longer innovation cycles if it is to reduce its dependence on subsidies and become financially sustainable.
Bargaining Through Compulsory Licensing: ARV Treatment in Brazil
The first study of its kind in Brazil on national drug spending illustrates how the threat of compulsory licensing can be an excellent bargaining tool to reducing patented drug costs.
WSJ to the WHO: In Defense of Patents
The Wall Street Journal defends patents, but disingenuously confuses the problems of high drug costs and poor delivery. Yet, the two issues are independent and require different approaches.
Subprime Loans and Race Inequality
The NYTimes finds a clear link between subprime lending and race inequality in America, suggesting even in developing countries the availability of credit, by itself, is no solution to poverty.
Pakistan - In a Constant State of Emergency
The inevitable has happened…President Musharraf has finally imposed a state of emergency (once again), in Pakistan. This puts an end to months of wrangling and uncertainty over his future. And it means he will stay President.
In the aftermath of this decision, three things are worth noting.
