RSSFebruary 2007 Archives
February 28, 2007
Controls
Internal controls, important things.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 10:09 AM
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Perso Biz Notes
February 26, 2007
Emerging Markets: PE Profiling in FT Alphaville Blog - Reality versus Sachs (Updated)
The FTcom site's Alphaville Blog section has an interesting series on Emerging Markets Private Equity that profiles some of the key players in the "Anglo Saxon" US-Euro based universe.
Not badly done at all, I would add the observation that those of us who watch such things still are not sure that made the right move in its restructuring to spin off the fund managers Actis and the mid-market to SME focused Aureos, although not from the point of view of privatising the effort. That I think was clearly a good idea, but the precise structure, above all for Actis... Meanwhile the US Emerging Markets Partnership has for reasons I can't quite identify always annoyed me.
Some specific comments on each to follow:
Posted by The Lounsbury at 12:43 AM
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MENA VC & Priv. Equity
February 25, 2007
Fuck.
Working flat out and bam, one of the motherfucking principal parties has his fucking father die and cancels the meetings.
Priorities, motherfucker! Close the fucking deal.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 11:27 PM
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Perso Biz Notes
February 21, 2007
The Carib Gulag Archipelago
I am not frequently moved to comment on issues American domestic in large part, however this news item caught my eye for its meaning to the MENA region and US image there.
I have no expertise in US constitutional law and shall not remotely pretend to comment on the legality or constitutionality. I am sure others will.
Rather, I am moved by the sheer idiocy of what the US continues to do. If this is indeed legal and constitutional, well, I have to say that the Americans have carved out a vast gaping whole in the tradition of Habeus Corpus, one that is at once revolting for its Neo-Bolshevik logic and disturbing given the increasingly imperial pretensions and reach of US law. Worse than these essentially moral, but also pragmatic issues, given that these acts might be justified if the cost-benefit was positive (it is not), is the massive self-inflicted damage (for no real gain at all) the US is doing to itself in creating what is, in effect, an off-shored version of the Gulag Archipelago. Yes, rather more humane if still involving torture, than the Soviet version, but in many ways less honest, for the tortured logic that Guantanamo is somehow in some tortured legal fiction, not under US sovereignty.
I am particularly moved to comment on this because of an interesting anecdote from a friend yesterday, who had to do some neurological tests - involving electroshocks to test reaction. The joke on the part of the Arab doctors, all quite Westernized and Western leaning, based on his citizenship, was "not going to be any worse than the torture at Guantanamo."
The US has fallen to a low level when even its friends make jokes in this manner. Reminds me of the jokes I used to hear from Sov lands....
Regardless, then of the legality, the US has stepped up to a precipice. It must come back.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 01:29 PM
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MENA Region General
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Politics - US FP
February 18, 2007
Hirsi Ali Autobiography: Inconsistencies, an Economist review
A brief note calling attention to The Economist review of Hirsi Ali's autobio: I believe my Aqoul colleagues should enjoy reading both the review and perhaps eventually the book.
I have to say the notes in the review rather confirm some observations and speculation on the part of Eerie.
Continue reading "Hirsi Ali Autobiography: Inconsistencies, an Economist review"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 10:53 PM
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MENA Region General
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Politics - Islam(ic)
Six Months of Freedom
There it is. Six months.
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Posted by The Lounsbury at 02:05 PM
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Perso
Reflexions on Talent, Markets, MENA & Development - The Value of Initiative
Inspired in part by a comment by Shaheen, and in part by some convo I dimly recall from a few months back somewhere in bloggy land about the value of expats and overseas educated and experienced staff, I thought I might make a comment on the value of staff with international experience.
While perhaps potentially self-serving, I really mean to briefly reflect on barriers to growth in MENA, as a business as well as a social problem.
Continue reading "Reflexions on Talent, Markets, MENA & Development - The Value of Initiative"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 12:30 AM
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Biz - Policy & Development
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Biz - Private in MENA
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MENA Region General
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Perso Biz Notes
Emerging Market Intervention to Correct Market Failure
In this FT interview, the Dictator of the 'historically Xian' (ah...) Ethiopian vampire state amusingly observesw They intervene in the market to address pervasive market failures and let the markets work where they work well. Coming from him that is very amusing. (See also summary article)
Continue reading "Emerging Market Intervention to Correct Market Failure"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 12:25 AM
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Consular Cretins and Min of Interior Cretins
Have to go Djzair shortly. Had amusing - well semi-amusing - interaction in my semi-successful attempt to get a visa.
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Posted by The Lounsbury at 12:06 AM
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Biz - Private in MENA
February 16, 2007
Oh the ports again.
I haven't much to add to this short note, other than the observation that the hysterical whinging on about 'national security' with respect to the Dubai Ports World disposal (and the relevant regulatory authority's rather queer position re a transfer fee) only serves to increase my contempt for the hysteria among US authorities of late.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 06:32 PM
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Business
Oh Who Will Deliver Me From These Unturbulent Employees?!
I wish I could fire them.
Continue reading "Oh Who Will Deliver Me From These Unturbulent Employees?!"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 05:23 PM
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Perso Biz Notes
February 14, 2007
Islamic Finance Training: In the Idiotic Inquiry Category
I am impressed by the quality of candidate that writes me about Islamic Banking:
Continue reading "Islamic Finance Training: In the Idiotic Inquiry Category"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 05:22 PM
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Blog Notes - Admin
Oh bloody bollocks - V Day
I forgot.
Must send my assistant out to buy my woman something. Yes, yes, pitiful to outsource such things, but such is life.
Continue reading "Oh bloody bollocks - V Day"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 10:52 AM
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Perso Biz Notes
February 11, 2007
Presents
What do you give a good friend who's just become the governor of a central bank?
Posted by The Lounsbury at 08:40 PM
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Perso-Expatedness
Depressing in a way, amusing in others
Purely personal business.
Continue reading "Depressing in a way, amusing in others"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 08:09 PM
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Perso Biz Notes
February 08, 2007
Buried bis
Afraid no resurfacing in sight. Good business, but bad for posting.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 03:36 PM
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Blog Notes - Admin
February 02, 2007
The Lounsbury New Month Post
Old tradition, etc.
Am on business travel presently, not much time for posting as of yet.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 06:32 PM
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Blog Notes - Admin
