The pandemic has dealt a “catastrophic blow” to Europe’s culture industry. But, despite gloomy outlook, Valeria Brusnikina (pictured) said that music and art was an international success story and can boom again, writes Martin Banks. In an interview with this website, Brusnikina, who represents an association which, among other things, champions the rights to royalties of musicians and…
Interviews
Unexpected Stay in the Congo
What started as a routine business trip to Congo (DRC) turned into a 12 day nightmare of detention by the DRC intelligence services and interrogation for 2 international businessmen. From the safety and comfort of Abu Dhabi after being released from detention, Paolo Persico and Alexander Zingman spoke to me of their ordeal. They were…
Interview with Ambassador of Uzbekistan
Interview with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Benelux Countries, Dilyor Khakimov, on the development of the relations between Europe and Uzbekistan in the course of deepening reforms in Uzbekistan. Q: It has been 3.5 years since you started your career as Ambassador to the Benelux countries. How have…
Mineral Wool and Construction Workers’ Health
How Should the EU Treat “Vaping”
The European Parliament has set up a new Special Committee on Cancer, one of several new committees being launched by the institution. To mark the occasion, the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA), a pro-vaping advocacy group based in Brussels, has launched a campaign calling on the EU institutions to endorse vaping in the EU Cancer Plan…
Emirates Weathers the Economic Storm
Interview with Jean-Pierre Martin, General manager Emirates Belgium and Luxemburg Q: Can you spell out the impact of the pandemic on your airline-business? A: On 25 March, Emirates temporarily suspended all passenger flights as directed by our regulator the UAE GCAA. That hit us hard and we regret the impact on our customers, but Emirates fully supports Dubai and the UAE’s…
Latest developments in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
Martin Banks interviews Olivier Védrine Chief Editor of the Russian Monitor about Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also speaks about the case of Alexei Anatolievich Navalny, a Russian politician and anti-corruption activist who came to international prominence by organising demonstrations, and running for office, to advocate reforms against corruption in Russia, Russian President Putin, and…
Mineral wool health risks and the need for EU action
Riad Salemeh: “Lebanon is not bankrupt”, exclusive interview in Paris Match
The central bank of Lebanon’s Governor, Riad Salameh, gave an exclusive interview to leading French publication Paris Match, in which he explained that the central bank is not the cause of the problems that Lebanon is facing and that the country is better able to tackle its challenges thanks to the actions that the bank has taken….
The Importance of Rule of Law for Investors
I met with Philippe Bresson to explore his experience of investing in Eastern Europe. Philippe manages the BEE Family Office, formerly BRICOSTORE Holding, a 160-year-old family-owned holding company that manages a variety of assets and holdings in various business sectors. It was originally focused on the retail sector in France and internationally. In the late…