Europe Could Receive Renewable Energy From Iceland via Submarine Cable - msnbc.com

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND — The Icelandic energy provider, Landsvirkjun, one of Europe's leading renewable energy companies, may help supply Continental Europe with renewable energy via a North Atlantic submarine power cable.

Iceland currently holds a unique position amongst European nations in its potential to increase reliable electric energy production from renewable energy resources. This increased energy production could be used to conduct business through an interconnector -- a submarine cable to Europe across the North Atlantic seabed.

Hörður Arnarson, CEO of Landsvirkjun, stated, "Providing sustainable energy to Europe through a submarine power cable offers an interesting business opportunity for the nation of Iceland and at the same time presents a partial solution to Europe where they are looking for an increased supply of renewable energy. Numerous countries in Europe have already expressed interest in the possibility to connect with Iceland's clean energy resources."

Laying a submarine cable will be a well suited addition to the ongoing industrial development of the country. Arnarson went on to emphasise that Landsvirkjun will continue to support further growth of its current customers, as well as new greenfield Data Centers and industrial customers.

Landsvirkjun proposed additional analysis and research over the next few years into the potential impact on social, environmental, legal, and technical issues which will be undertaken in cooperation with interested parties including the Icelandic authorities, universities, interest groups, and energy and transmission companies.

Oddný Harðardóttir, the Icelandic Minister of Finance, announced that a working group will be appointed to research the feasibility of laying a submarine cable between Iceland and the British Isles and or mainland Europe.

Visit www.landsvirkjun.com to learn more about renewable energy in Iceland.

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Business opportunities for SMEs abound in Europe

Not so long ago, the EU was a formidable competitor on the world economic stage. But a lot has changed in the past five years. The real GDP growth rate for the 27 EU member countries stood at 3.2% in 2007. But following the economic crash in late 2008, EU GDP shrank by 4.3% in 2009. Things haven’t gotten much better since: according to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistics office, EU GDP is projected to grow by only 1.5% this year.

While many companies have been scared off by the dire economic numbers, a dynamic market is often easier to enter for companies looking to expand their global reach. At the same time, says Klaus Houben, a senior regional manager with Export Development Canada in Dusseldorf, Germany, it is important to remember that not all 27 EU member countries have been equally impacted by the debt crisis.

Market instability hasn’t stopped AeroMechanical Services Ltd., a Calgary-based company specializing in automated flight-information reporting systems, from ramping up its business in Europe. The company has had an office in Zurich for seven years and launched an office in Dublin three years ago, just as the debt crisis was beginning to crater the Irish economy.

Since AeroMechanical offers technology that will help airlines in Europe meet new regulations coming into effect in 2015, president and CEO Bill Tempany says, his business has not been impacted much by the European debt crisis. “Even during downturns, companies have to invest to comply with government regulations,” he says.

In fact, Tempany is so confident that he plans to add more staff to the Dublin office soon. “We’ve been able to get people at very reasonable pay rates in Ireland; there are lots of skilled, eager workers there right now,” says Tempany.

One of the hardest-hit countries in the EU, Ireland’s unemployment rate surged from 4.7% in January 2008 to a sky high 14.8% in January 2012, according to Eurostat. It was dubbed the Celtic Tiger in the ‘90s for its economic prowess, but now Ireland is being blamed for many of Europe’s economic woes—along with the EU’s other debt-ridden members, known collectively, and derisively, as the PIIGS: Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain.

Not surprisingly, similar unemployment situations exist in those countries. From a record-low unemployment rate of 5.7% in mid-2007, Italy’s unemployment had risen to 9.7% by the start of this year. In Greece, unemployment rose from 9.1% in the first quarter of 2007 to a high of 19.9% in December 2011. And Spain has faired worst of all, with unemployment rising from 8.3% in 2007, before the crisis hit, to a whopping 23.3% in January of this year. “There are also general labour advantages in eastern European countries,” says Houben.

The tough economic climate in the EU also has not deterred Glenn Johnson, CEO of Endurance Wind Power, a Surrey, B.C.-based manufacturer of wind-power applications, from expanding in Europe.

Endurance Wind Power launched in 2007, just ahead of the 2008 crash, yet things have only looked up for the company. Endurance currently does almost 65% of its business in the U.K., and the company recently inked deals to put up turbines in Italy, Greece and Germany.

“When people hear we do business in Europe, they feel bad for us, but in fact we’re growing,” says Johnson.

Endurance currently has to ship completed turbines to its overseas customers. But the demand for wind power is growing so much in eco-friendly Europe that the company now is planning to open a factory in the U.K. The environment remains a top concern for Europeans, and government commitments across the EU to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by at least 20% of 1990 levels by 2020 are helping firms like Endurance grow.

Houben says there are incentives available for companies looking to locate facilities in certain regions of the EU: “There are tax incentives, grants and subsidies; it differs from country to country.”

Meanwhile, cash-strapped governments and businesses throughout the EU are looking for ways to cut costs, creating an opening for companies offering products, technologies and services that allow organizations to do more with less. In addition, many European governments now are investing in infrastructure to create jobs, says Houben, and additional opportunities will spin off from these projects.

Houben says it also should get easier for Canadian companies to do business in Europe once the Canada/European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is finalized, hopefully later this year. A recent study conducted by the Small and Medium-Sized Business Advisory Board and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) found that the main reasons cited by companies that no longer do business in Europe were cost (64%) and complexity (46%) rather than market instability.

However, the SME Advisory Board/CFIB study also found that 54% of SMEs surveyed plan to increase their business in Europe in the next three years.

And while it may take years for Europe’s economic and political systems to recover fully, Canada’s strong banks and stable political system have left us robust and poised to lap the Europeans.

Endurance Wind Power has raised capital for its European expansion from Canadian banks and private investors. AeroMechanical Services has a line of credit with a Canadian bank, but most of its funding has come from investors.

The story is quite different for European companies. “At this time, European companies have issues accessing financing, even major ones,” says Houben. “Banks across Europe have become more restrictive due to strategy changes and funding issues, while other banks have folded.”

In addition, Canadian companies should see less competition from Europe in emerging markets for some time, says David Roach, an associate professor at Dalhousie University’s Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship. In the coming years, the BRIC countries—Brazil, Russia, India and China—will become increasingly important markets for Canadian businesses, Roach says: “Assuming things don’t get worse in Europe, Canadians have a two- to four-year head start.”

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EuroContactPool Extends Business Data Solution across Europe

GOTHENBURG, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

EuroContactPool has announced an expansion of its pan-European business data services to provide local expertise in five additional countries: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway and Switzerland.

EuroContactPool, which enables companies worldwide to access data to acquire, keep and manage customers, is Europe’s most comprehensive and accurate business-to-business (B2B) information service.

The decision marks a major Europe-wide investment by EuroContactPool’s highly respected parent group Bisnode, the world’s leading pan-European business information provider which employs 3,000 people in 17 countries.

The expansion of EuroContactPool pitches its high quality international B2B data services against those of other providers, reinforcing its position as a leading business information brand.

EuroContactPool has at its heart a world-leading database covering 26 million contacts in 16 countries and expanding. The data is compiled by selecting the best partner in each market, ensuring its constant freshness and reliability. Its high level of accuracy – 10,000 adjustments and amendments are made every day – enables marketers to develop and manage business opportunities Europe-wide.

EuroContactPool enables companies to truly understand their marketplace by profiling their best clients and finding more of the same – right across Europe. Its sophisticated search metrics, backed by a friendly expert team, enable marketers to devise campaigns that hit their targets first time and really deliver results.

Johan Lindqvist, Business Manager for EuroContactPool, says: “This expansion provides marketers across Europe with an international business-to-business data solution to help them acquire, keep and manage customers. Increasingly, Europe is a hub for global companies, driving demand for a one-source data solution.”

Businesses across Europe are already showing a strong interest in the range of EuroContactPool services. These include: Data Delivery (data sourcing), Data Quality (cleaning, enhancing and updating), and Data Intelligence (combining, analysing and appending data).

Also in demand is Data Integration which provides a seamless link between the powerful EuroContactPool database and industry-standard Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, such as Salesforce, SuperOffice, Lundalogik and Microsoft Dynamics.

~ends~

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Future Flow Cytometry Market Outlook: US, Europe, Japan--Emerging Opportunities and Business Expansion Strategies

NEW YORK, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Future Flow Cytometry Market Outlook: US, Europe, Japan--Emerging Opportunities and Business Expansion Strategies

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0777597/Future-Flow-Cytometry-Market-Outlook-US-Europe-Japan--Emerging-Opportunities-and-Business-Expansion-Strategies.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=In_Vitro_Diagnostic

Complete report $18,500. DataPack (test volumes, sales forecasts, supplier shares) $7,400.

This 7-country report will help current suppliers and potential market entrants identify and evaluate emerging opportunities in the flow cytometry markets during the next five years. The report explores future marketing and technological trends in seven countries; provides market share estimates, test volume forecasts, and instrument placements; compares features of major clinical and research flow cytometers; profiles competitors and emerging market entrants; and suggests specific product and marketing opportunities for flow cytometry instruments and reagents.

Rationale

During the next five years, continued advances in molecular diagnostics, monoclonal antibodies, lasers and IT, as well as growing understanding of immunologic forces regulating systemic diseases, will have a profound impact on the flow cytometry markets worldwide. New molecular diagnostic and monoclonal antibody tests will facilitate existing procedures and provide basis for sensitive, specific and simple assays. The introduction of smaller and easy-to-operate laser systems will further expand applications of flow cytometry to routine clinical laboratories. Further advances in IT will reduce the cost of instrument manufacture, service warranty, and permit development of self-troubleshooting, autocalibration and other advanced features. Presently tedious analyses of chromosomal abnormalities, DNA content, and lymphocyte subsets will become more automated and routine.

Contains 358 pages and 107 tables

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. Worldwide Market and Technology Overview

A. Major Flow Cytometry Applications

1. Cell Surface Markers

a. Lymphocyte Subclassification CD4/CD8

- Instrumentation and

Reagent Test Kits

* BD FACS Count

* Beckman Coulter VCS

* T Cells Diagnostics TRAx

b. Other Cell Markers

2. DNA Content Analysis

3. RNA Content Analysis

4. Chemotherapy Monitoring

5. Cell Cycle Analysis

6. Reticulocytes

7. Chromosome Analysis

8. Fetal Cell Analysis

9. HLA Typing

10. Microbiology

11. Protein Content Analysis

12. Multiparameter Analysis

13. Other Applications

B. Instrumentation Review

a. Introduction

b. System Overview

- BD FACSadvantage

- BD FACSAria III

- BD FACSCalibur

- BD FACScan

- BD FACSCanto II

- BD FACSCount

- BD FACSort

- BD FACStar Series

- BD FACStrak

- BD FACS Vantage

- BD Influx

- Beckman Coulter Epics C

- Beckman Coulter Epics Elite Analyzer

- Beckman Coulter Epics Elite ESP

- Beckman Coulter Epics Profile

- Beckman Coulter Epics XL

- Beckman Coulter FC 500 Series

- Beckman Coulter Vi-CELL XR

C. Current Market Needs and Future Demand for

Hematology Analyzers

D. Reagents and Controls

E. Current and Emerging Technologies

1. Information Technologies

2. Automation and Robotics

3. Lasers

4. Artificial Intelligence

5. Monoclonal Antibodies

6. Molecular Diagnostics

7. Microdrop Technology

F. Worldwide Market Overview

1. Business Environment

2. Market Structure

3. Market Size and Growth

III. France

A. Executive Summary

B. Business Environment

C. Market Structure

D. Market Size, Growth and Major Suppliers'

Instrument Placements, Installed Base, Sales

and Market Share

IV. Germany

A. Executive Summary

B. Business Environment

C. Market Structure

D. Market Size, Growth and Major Suppliers'

Instrument Placements, Installed Base, Sales

and Market Share

V. Italy

A. Executive Summary

B. Business Environment

C. Market Structure

D. Market Size, Growth and Major Suppliers'

Instrument Placements, Installed Base, Sales

and Market Share

VI. Japan

A. Executive Summary

B. Business Environment

C. Market Structure

D. Market Size, Growth and Major Suppliers'

Instrument Placements, Installed Base, Sales

and Market Share

VII. Spain

A. Executive Summary

B. Business Environment

C. Market Structure

D. Market Size, Growth and Major Suppliers'

Instrument Placements, Installed Base, Sales

and Market Share

VIII. U.K.

A. Executive Summary

B. Business Environment

C. Market Structure

D. Market Size, Growth and Major Suppliers'

Instrument Placements, Installed Base, Sales

and Market Share

IX. U.S.

A. Executive Summary

B. Business Environment

1. Health Care Expenditures

2. Cost Consciousness

3. Reimbursement

4. Industry Consolidation

5. Managed Care

a. HMO

b. PPO

6. Hospitals

7. Admissions

8. Length of Stay

9. Industry Diversification

10. Physician Demographics

11. Population Aging

a. Chronic Illness

b. Disease Incidence

c. Susceptibility to Iatrogenesis

d. Multiple Illness Cases

12. Laboratory Regulations

C. Market Structure

D. Market Size, Growth and Major Suppliers'

Instrument Placements, Installed Base, Sales

and Market Share

X. Major Product Development Opportunities

A. Instrumentation

B. Reagent Kits and Test Systems/Panels

C. Information Technology

D. Auxiliary Products

XI. Design Criteria for Decentralized Testing Products

XII. Alternative Market Penetration Strategies

A. Internal Development

B. Collaborative Arrangements

C. University Contracts

D. Distribution Strategies for the Decentralized

Testing Markets

1. Four Marketing Approaches

2. Product Complexity Factor

3. Customer Preference Factor

4. Established Suppliers

5. Emerging Suppliers

6. Major Types of Distributors

7. Market Segmentation Factor

XIII. Potential Market Entry Barriers and Risks

A. Market Maturity

B. Cost Containment

C. Competition

D. Technological Edge and Limitations

E. Patent Protection

F. Regulatory Constraints

G. Decentralized Testing Market Challenges

XIV. Competitive Assessments

- Abbott

- Beckman Coulter/Danaher

- Becton Dickinson

- Bio-Rad

- Dako

- Horiba

- Iris

- Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics

- Nihon Kohden

- Roche

- Siemens

- Sysmex

XV. Appendix: Major Universities and Research

Centers Developing Hematology/Flow Cytometry

Technologies and Applications

List of Tables

Worldwide, All Market Segments, Laboratories

Performing Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests

By Country

Worldwide, All Market Segments, Total Flow

Cytometry and Special Hematology Specimen

Volume By Country

Worldwide, All Market Segments, Total Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume By Country

Worldwide, All Market Segments, Total Flow Cytometry

Diagnostics Market By Country

France, Laboratories Performing Hematology/Flow

Cytometry Tests By Market Segment

France, Hospital Laboratories Performing

Hematology and Flow Cytometry Tests By Bed Size

France, Commercial/Private Laboratories

Performing Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests

By Annual Test Volume

France, Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Specimen Volume By Market Segment

France, Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Test Volume By Market Segment

France, All Market Segments, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

France, Hospital Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

France, Commercial/Private Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

France, Major Flow Cytometers, Estimated

Placements and Installed Base

France, Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

Forecast By Market Segment

France, Flow Cytometry Instrument Market Forecast

By Market Segment

France, Flow Cytometry Consumable Market Forecast

By Market Segment

France, Total Flow Cytometry Market By Major Supplier

France, Flow Cytometry Instrument Market

By Major Supplier

France, Flow Cytometry Consumables Market

By Major Supplier

Germany, Laboratories Performing Hematology and

Flow Cytometry Testing By Market Segment

Germany, Hospital Laboratories Performing

Hematology and Flow Cytometry Tests By Bed Size

Germany, Commercial/Private Laboratories

Performing Hematology and Flow Cytometry Tests

By Annual Test Volume

Germany, Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Test Volume Forecast By Market Segment

Germany, Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Test Volume By Market Segment

Germany, Hospital Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Germany, Major Flow Cytometers, Estimated

Placements and Installed Base

Germany, Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

Forecast By Market Segment

Germany, Flow Cytometry Instrument Market Forecast

By Market Segment

Germany, Flow Cytometry Consumable Market Forecast

By Market Segment

Germany, Total Flow Cytometry Market

By Major Supplier

Germany, Flow Cytometry Instrument Market

By Major Supplier

Germany, Flow Cytometry Consumables Market

By Major Supplier

Italy, Laboratories Performing Hematology/

Flow Cytometry Tests By Market Segment

Italy, Hospital Laboratories Performing

Hematology and Flow Cytometry Tests By Bed Size

Italy, Commercial/Private Laboratories

Performing Hematology and Flow Cytometry Tests

By Annual Test Volume

Italy, Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Specimen Volume Forecast By Market Segment

Italy, All Market Segments, Total Flow

Cytometry and Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Italy, All Market Segments Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Italy, Hospital Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Italy, Commercial/Private Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Italy, Major Flow Cytometers, Estimated

Placements and Installed Base

Italy, Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

Forecast By Market Segment

Italy, Flow Cytometry Instrument Market Forecast

By Market Segment

Italy, Flow Cytometry Consumables Market Forecast

By Market Segment

Italy, Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

By Major Supplier

Italy, Flow Cytometry Instrument Market

By Major Supplier

Italy, Flow Cytometry Consumables Market

By Major Supplier

Japan, Laboratories Performing Hematology/

Flow Cytometry Tests By Market Segment

Japan, Hospital Laboratories Performing

Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests By Bed Size

Japan, Commercial/Private Laboratories

Performing Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests

By Annual Test Volume

Japan, Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Specimen Volume Forecast By Market Segment

Japan, Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Test Volume Forecast By Market Segment

Japan, All Market Segments, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Japan, Hospital Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Japan,Commercial/Private Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Japan, Major Flow Cytometers, Estimated

Placements and Installed Base

Japan, Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

Forecast By Market Segment

Japan, Flow Cytometry Instrument Market Forecast

By Market Segment

Japan, Flow Cytometry Consumable Market Forecast

By Market Segment

Japan, Total Flow Cytometry Market

By Major Supplier

Japan, Total Flow Cytometry Instrument Market

By Major Supplier

Japan, Total Flow Cytometry Consumables Market

By Major Supplier

Spain, Laboratories Performing Hematology and Flow

Cytometry Tests By Market Segment

Spain, Hospital Laboratories Performing

Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests By Bed Size

Spain, Commercial/Private Laboratories

Performing Hematology and Flow Cytometry Tests

By Annual Test Volume

Spain, Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Specimen Volume Forecast By Market Segment

Spain, Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Test Volume Forecast By Market Segment

Spain, All Marker Segments, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Spain, Hospital Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Spain, Ambulatory Care Centers, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

Spain, Major Flow Cytometers, Estimated

Placements and Installed Base

Spain, Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

Forecast By Market Segment

Spain, Flow Cytometry Consumable Market Forecast

By Market Segment

Spain, Flow Cytometry Instrument Market Forecast

By Market Segment

Spain, Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

By Major Supplier

Spain, Flow Cytometry Instrument Market

By Major Supplier

Spain, Flow Cytometry Consumables Market

By Major Supplier

U.K., Laboratories Performing Hematology and Flow

Cytometry Tests By Market Segment

U.K., Hospital Laboratories, Performing Hematology/

Flow Cytometry Tests By Bed Size

U.K., Commercial/Private Laboratories,

Performing Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests

By Annual Test Volume

U.K., Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Specimen Volume, By Market Segment

U.K., Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Specimen Volume, By Volume Forecast

U.K., Hospital Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

U.K., Major Flow Cytometers, Estimated

Placements and Installed Base

U.K., Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

Forecast By Market Segment

U.K., Total Flow Cytometry Instrument

Market Forecast By Market Segment

U.K., Total Flow Cytometry Consumable

Market Forecast By Market Segment

U.K., Total Flow Cytometry Market By Major Supplier

U.K., Total Flow Cytometry Instrument

Market By Major Supplier

U.K., Total Flow Cytometry Consumables

Market By Major Supplier

U.S., Laboratories Performing

Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests

By Market Segment

U.S., Hospital Laboratories Performing

Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests By Bed Size

U.S., Commercial/Private Laboratories

Performing Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests

By Annual Test Volume

U.S., Physician Offices/Group Practices

Performing Hematology/Flow Cytometry Tests

By Practice Size

U.S., Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Specimen Volume Forecast By Market Segment

U.S., Total Flow Cytometry and Special

Hematology Specimen Volume Forecast

U.S., All Market Segments Flow Cytometry and

Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

U.S., Hospital Laboratories, Flow Cytometry and

Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

U.S., Commercial/Private Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

U.S., Physician Office Laboratories, Flow Cytometry

And Special Hematology Test Volume Forecast

U.S., Major Flow Cytometers, Estimated

Placements and Installed Base

U.S., Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

Forecast By Market Segment

U.S., Flow Cytometry Instrument Market Forecast

By Market Segment

U.S., Flow Cytometry Consumable Market Forecast

By Market Segment

U.S., Total Flow Cytometry Diagnostics Market

By Major Supplier

U.S., Total Flow Cytometry Instrument Market

By Major Supplier

U.S., Total Flow Cytometry Consumables Market

By Major Supplier

To order this report:

In Vitro Diagnostic Industry: Future Flow Cytometry Market Outlook: US, Europe, Japan--Emerging Opportunities and Business Expansion Strategies

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Check our Industry Analysis and Insights

Nicolas Bombourg
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Email: nbo@reportlinker.com
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Intl: +1 805-652-2626

View the original article here

Asian bosses see Europe crisis as opportunity - Chicago Tribune

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option - giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

(Reporting By Eric Holmberg; editing by Luke Baker/Anna Willard)

View the original article here

Asian bosses see Europe crisis as opportunity - msnbc.com

BRUSSELS — Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

Updated 118 minutes ago 1/25/2012 6:33:59 PM +00:00 USDA mandates healthier school lunches American hostage in Somalia freed in US Navy raid Obama signals re-election message with State of the Union Updated 92 minutes ago 1/25/2012 6:59:56 PM +00:00 Witchcraft in London? Tragically, it happens Dispute over additive limits US meat exports Updated 93 minutes ago 1/25/2012 6:59:27 PM +00:00 Fed adds more punch to low-rate pledge Report: Man spends 2 years in solitary after DWI arrest

Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option - giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

View the original article here

Asian Bosses See Europe Crisis as Opportunity - CNBC

Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

Cristian Baitg | Photographer's Choice | Getty Images

Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option — giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

View the original article here

Asian bosses see Europe crisis as opportunity - YAHOO!

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option - giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

(Reporting By Eric Holmberg; editing by Luke Baker/Anna Willard)

View the original article here

Asian bosses see Europe crisis as opportunity - Chicago Tribune

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option - giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

(Reporting By Eric Holmberg; editing by Luke Baker/Anna Willard)

View the original article here

Asian bosses see Europe crisis as opportunity - msnbc.com

BRUSSELS — Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

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Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option - giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

View the original article here

Asian bosses see Europe crisis as opportunity - Chicago Tribune

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option - giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

(Reporting By Eric Holmberg; editing by Luke Baker/Anna Willard)

View the original article here