Atlantica Monitor

India to Prioritize Trade, Exchange with Israel

India announces a renewed focus on trade and business exchange with Israel.

Two technology giants to join forces. Look out, world!

I'll be in Israel, and then in India, for the next several weeks to check things out.

Click here for the story in the FT.

Building an Olympian Structure ... and Winning the Gold!

Atlantica Group has had the privilege of working with some outstanding companies and entrepreneurs over the years, but few, if any, have made it to the Olympics. 

Enter Normerica Authentic Timber Frame, an Ontario-based designer and manufacturer of exceptional post-and-beam homes and structures. Atlantica Group worked with Normerica to explore opportunities for the company in the US.

Now from Vancouver comes the exciting news that Normerica designed and built the 48,000 sq.ft. structure on Cypress Mountain  which will be home to the Freestyle Moguls, Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard Halfpipe, Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom and Boardercross competitions during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games!

Click here for the story of Normerica's Olympic victory!

Congratulations to Dave McFarlane and his team at Normerica Authentic Timber Frame!

TSX and TASE in MOU for CAD and NIS Growth

Got all that?

In a nutshell, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that each hopes will ultimately facilitate capital raising opportunities for companies listed or seeking to be listed in each country.

Here's a link to the story.

Canada and US Agree (Finally!) to Resolve Buy America and Other Market Access Issues

A longstanding hindrance to bilateral market access has apparently been resolved today, as the United States and Canada reached agreement on an exemption for Canadian firms to the restrictions of the Buy America provisions of the Stimulus Act. In return, American firms will have greater access to provincial and other procurement opportunities to which they have heretofore been denied.

Click here for the CBC story.

Click here for a rather more political interpretation, provided by the Office of the US Trade Representative.

Canada's Banking System Earns High Praise ...

It's not for the first time, but the extent of positive coverage regarding Canada's banking system, and how well it has emerged from the Great Recession, is certainly noteworthy.

Click here for the story from the Financial Times, and here for Paul Krugman's piece in the New York Times.

The Enormous Potential of India ... and How It Compares with China

Click here for an outstanding presentation on the demographics, market philosophy and enormous potential presented by India, including a compelling look at how and why India and China differ.

This presentation was prepared by Atlantica Group's strategic partner in New Delhi, Tecnova Global. 

Contact us if you'd like further info: pbn@atlanticagroup.com.

Throwing BRICs? No, just covering them.

Excellent and in-depth coverage of the BRIC economies in the Financial Times.

Click here for the special section.

Does the World Need Another Think Tank? Well ... yes.

The world's most extensive, productive and peaceful bilateral relationship -- the relationship between the United States and Canada -- will be the focus of a newly-established Think Tank housed at the University of Western Ontario in London.

Don Abelson, who is Director of Western’s Centre for American Studies and Chair of the Department of Political Science, has been coordinating the formation of the Institute. He says it will provide Canadians with non-partisan expertise on a country that will always be our most important partner and ally, and it will help people in both countries better understand each other. (Source: University of Western Ontario.)

Here's the link to the announcement.

India, Inc. is on the Move! Capitalizing on demographics and opportunity ...

Kolkata-based Punjab National Bank (PNB) has announced its plans to open a 100%-owned subsidiary in Canada in 2010, in part to capitalize on the Punjabi Diaspora. It worked in the UK.

The Managing Director notes, "We have to go overseas now as merely 2-3% of our total business comes from abroad."

Click here for the story.

WSJ Feature Highlights Israel's Remarkable Economic Achievements ...

By now everyone has heard about or read Start-Up Nation an analysis of Israel's entrepreneurial environment and mentality.

Here's a nice piece from the Wall Street Journal that synthesizes the book's observations and captures Israel's remarkable advances and approach nicely.

Click here.