| 16 |
Arrangement or Agreement? by Nikolai Meinert, St. Petersburg
The G8 summit in St. Petersburg was one of the most significant events in the political life of the Northern region this summer. Impressions from the summit: on organization, behavior and politics - behind the scenes and in full view.
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| 20 |
EuroFinland’s Hot Days. by Andres Kingisepp, Helsinki
Finland’s six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union has begun on the 1st of July 2006. With all the international tension the presiding country is under more pressure than it bargained for. Is Finland up to the challenge?
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| 26 |
Green Gold Instead of Black. by Alexej Smirnov, Stockholm
Europeans are desperately looking for alternatives to expensive oil-based fuel. In their search the Swedes have decided to go into the woods. By 2020 Sweden is to become fully independent from oil. The program to achieve this goal was put into implementation this year.
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| 30 |
Logistics – Russian way. by Alexander Istomin, St. Petersburg
Holland is making good money out of it. Estonia is trying to get in on it. Many others are trying not to fall behind. St. Petersburg also wants in - especially since it has all the necessary attributes. Logistics – coordination of transit traffic - the new buzz in Russia.
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| 37 |
Wal-Mart Shadow over Baltic Retailers. by Viktor Kuzjak, Warsaw
Passions have not yet settled over last year’s mergers and acquisitions among the Baltic and Eastern European retail leaders, as new changes are already looming over the horizon - changes capable of astonishing even the seasoned specialist.
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| 42 |
Book Worms. by Marina Koluyartseva, St. Petersburg
Book sales in Russia are growing mainly because of the rise in their prices. Even though the majority of people continue to actively read, most of them get their books from friends or libraries. The new tendencies of book stores to make the publishers pay for a place on the shelves will raise the book prices even higher.
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| 48 |
Budget and Taxes. by Alexander Istomin, Sanda Lapinsh, Moscow
Deputy of the Russian Parliament Bella Panina speaks about the mechanisms of the state budget, tax remissions and preferences, priority industries and sectors. What hinders the development of the country more than ineffective laws, corruption and unbalanced economy? What is the link between rising real estate prices and indecent pensions? How to prevent extremism?
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| 52 |
Football on the Market. by Sergei Pankratov, Berlin
Making money out of sport? Football has already become part of show-business. With more than 30 billion television viewers just for this year’s championship, football attracts businesses like a magnet. Who are the real winners of this year’s championship?
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| 56 |
Vote for Gold. by Jaana Lisette Lutter, Helsinki
Drastic exchange rate fluctuations of even the most stable currencies force the owners of savings to decide how to better keep their money. Gold reserves – the past and the future.
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| 60 |
Sci-Fi of Swedish House Making. by Alexej Smirnov, Upsala
Scandinavian house builder NCC is planning to build the first fully self-sustainable house which will use only environment-friendly energy resources – the wind and the sun. If this project is successful it will mark the turning point in the fight against the impending natural disaster.
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| 66 |
Finnish Summer Home for Foreigners. by Alexander Dubrovsky, Koli
Summer houses are extremely popular in Finland. Among five million citizens there are 470 thousand summer houses! And the trend is spreading: more and more foreigners from neighbouring countries are investing into summer homes in Finland.
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| 70 |
Eating for Pleasure. by Nikolai Borovikov, Helsinki
The restaurant business is booming in Finland. In the centre of Helsinki alone there are 800 quality establishments catering to the needs of half a million locals and the city’s guests. The profession of the chef has become extremely popular and each place offers something special at prices lower than those in other famous European restaurants of the same level.
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| 74 |
Archipelago Extreme. by Natali Kazimirovskaja, Stockholm
The Archipelago Raid race goes through one of the most spectacular places in the world - the Nordic Archipelago, which consists of thousands of islands, islets and rocks. Together with another project, Scandinavian Island, they are meant to encourage tourism in the Swedish, Finnish and ?land archipelago.
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| 78 |
Holidays Abroad. by Veronika Pennanen, Khao Lak
Asian tourism – forecasts, prospects, achievements, concerns. The 55th annual tourism conference of PATA was held in Pattaya, Thailand. Although this popular among Northern Europeans holiday destination has suffered from numerous force major obstacles in the near past, it continues to hold its leading position in the tourism industry.
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| 80 |
Tsunami – a Year and a Half Later. by Veronika Pennanen, Khao Lak
Thailand on the whole and its tourism industry in particular suffered a tremendous blow from the December tsunami of 2004. How is the country coping with the tragedy and what measures are taken to prevent such devastation in the future?
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| 86 |
Luxury and Comfort
Range Rover Sport – an effective and successful reflection of the British stereotype – reliability, respectability, refinement, reserve and power. The comfortable practical car for the prosperous athletic person.
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| 88 |
Sleep like a King. by Mats Östergård, Närpes
Your good night’s sleep is a matter of concern for a whole industry. From pillows to beds – sleep affects your health and mood. How to choose the right bed and mattress? Advice from professionals.
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| 95 |
Business Legislation
Real-estate laws: building fences and walls on your property.
(Materials prepared by NordLex Law offices)
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