After sanctions, Iranian and foreign firms await the good times
A decade ago, Foad Fanaei packed his belongings and left sanction-hit Iran in the hope that the family's engineering firm would thrive in Qatar. Starting up in the Gulf Arab…
Germany to overhaul laws to allow energy bailouts
Germany’s government will have the power to take stakes in utilities and impose emergency levies on consumers under proposed legal changes now under discussion, three sources told Reuters, as Berlin…
We just can’t compete
Distortions caused by a distraught policy landscape — from high energy costs to an industry-wide liquidity crisis — have made it next to impossible for Pakistani exporters to compete in…
Engineering evolution or devolution?
Across the world, the engineering industry is one of the significant contributors to the economy. However, in Pakistan, the engineering industry contributes only 0.86% to the GDP, highlighting a substantial…
Why money matters when taking climate change to court
When Serge de Gheldere decided - along with a dozen other Belgian citizens - to take the government to court in 2014 alleging climate inaction, he didn’t imagine he would…
No more business as usual—II
Known solutions to our problems start with merit-based governance and justice system adhering to our Constitution. Structural changes need to be made to existing layers of governance of local governments,…
Export sector: prohibitive energy costs
If the economy is to be stabilized, exports can no longer afford to pay for the energy sector’s failures and inefficiencies, and the government’s social obligations. Power tariffs in Pakistan…
Unraveling state of engineering industry
The industrial sector is unquestionably important to Pakistan’s economy, contributing significantly to its growth and development. With the manufacturing sector alone accounting for 12.4% of the nation’s GDP and employing 14.9%…
This crisis is a moment; Part – III
The current business-as-usual model continues to delay deregulation by repeated extensions, issuance of new/amended refinery policies. It will one day improve competitiveness, reduce demurrages and build our strategic and commercial…
Ramen and robes: a legal comedy
In a recently penned article, a capitalism-themed justification was provided for peanuts in paychecks for budding lawyers. To put it in Shakespearean words, ‘Verily, what a time to be a…
