Comment - Page 263

. The business climate in most of the economy is quite depressing, with few sectors doing well, generating income or even profits, as some are trying hard to maintain staff, let alone

. By Shavasb Bohdjalian The EU Summit accord according to which 26 member states except for Britain will pursue stricter budget rules have failed to impress financial markets. The lack of specifics

. The Risk Watch Column By Dr Alan Waring Alpha Bank is seeking to repossess some 70 homes bought from the developer Yiannis Liasides (now bankrupt) and is the latest twist in

. BY PERSELLA IOANNIDES Despite a welcome intervention by global central banks on 24/11, the Eurozone remains on a precipice as Brussels continues to hesitate in the face of German resistance. However,

. BY SHAVASB BOHDJALIAN In response to the deepening debt crisis and strains in lending rates, the European Central Bank (ECB) is widely expected to reduce its main refinancing rate (borrowing rate)

. DR. JIM LEONTIADES Cyprus International Institute of Management It is difficult to understand the thinking of the public sector unions as regards the proposed strike action on Thursday. By any comparison

. Perhaps trade union officials have not yet realised that Cyprus now has its back to the wall and there is no way forward apart from severe austerity measures. Going on strike

. ANALYSIS The grand plan outlined by France and Germany on Monday for European treaty change breaks no new ground in terms of ideas — all the proposals already exist in various

. DR. JIM LEONTIADES Cyprus International Institute of Management Countries in the Euro-zone which are in economic difficulties have been advised to follow (whether they like it or not) the German economic

. If Kikis Kazamias is having trouble getting austerity measures past the militant trade union leaders, then perhaps he should take a page out of Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s workbook,