Competitive horizon

Citation

(2007), "Competitive horizon", Strategic Direction, Vol. 23 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sd.2007.05623baa.001

Competitive horizon

A report published by The Economic Times (www.economictimes.indiatimes.com) claims that a proposed bilateral trade and investment agreement may see trade between India and the EU reach €100 billion by 2010 and €200 billion four years later. Current trade between the two stands at €40 billion. Although the EU is India’s largest trading partner, the €25 billion goods and services exported to India in 2005 accounted for just 2 percent of total EU exports. The report states that industry body FICCI plans to work with the Indian government on the agreement, which is also set to include key players from the IT, food processing, textile and pharmaceutical sectors. Analysts believe the agreement could see foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow from EU countries easily double the $8.16 billion total FDI cumulative inflows recorded between 1991 and mid 2006. However, the FICCI warns that effective visa management will be needed to enable the EU to open up the service sector as a further move to improve trade between the two.

Growth in healthy snack sales poised to soar

The mounting shift towards healthier eating has prompted market analysts Leatherhead International to forecast a 30 percent increase in fruit snack sales to $3.05 billion by 2010. Expansion will continue to be fuelled by growing consumer consciousness of the need to eat more fruit, which has led to the successful launch of fruit drink products to complement dried fruits and fruit bars. Suitable product packaging and demand for convenience foods are other factors to aid growth, a report published by Food Navigator (www.foodnavigator.com) claims. The need for convenience has also driven growth in the hot snacks industry but Leatherhead predicts stagnation in this sector as consumers increasingly reject microwavable products in favor of healthier alternatives. A fall in snack noodle sales and slower growth in the sales of snack soups and frozen ready meals suggest an early indication of this trend.

Poland seeks to increase trade links with Pakistan

Closer economic ties between Poland and Pakistan may be on the horizon, according to a report published by Dawn (www.dawn.com). The report points out that Poland has identified opportunities in various sectors including construction, building materials, hotels, leather furniture, textiles, clothing and pro ecology products, and is enthusiastic about expanding relations with Pakistan in these and other fields such as energy, oil and gas, engineering and food processing. Experts believe that increasing trade and developing more joint ventures with Pakistan could be a key strategic move, as the country has the potential to be Asia’s nautical hub linking chief states in the region to the West.

Why a more colorful office can pay dividends

According to research carried out by Canon UK, creativity in the office is to some extent determined by the colors of its walls. Employees polled claimed that bland décor failed to motivate them and over 80 percent felt that more adventurous color schemes would help increase their productivity. The study indicated that almost three-quarters of UK offices are painted in neutral colors like beige, white or grey. The report, as published by Crimson Business (www.crimsonbusiness.com), reveals that obligations to wear uniforms or other formal dress also negatively impact on employee motivation. Canon discovered that two-thirds attempt to counter such restrictions by wearing accessories that enable them to flaunt a wider range of colors. Indications are that women in particular realize that color can be used to send a positive message about their personality and ability. The organization warns companies of the need to make office employees feel stimulated by their environment, not least because many spend more than 80 percent of working time at their desks.