The world is dividing into two halves: those who will not abandon the nine-to-five routine, and those (think Asian nations) willing to make sure they are open for business at all hours. We may not like it – but will East…
A fast-expanding embassy network and a clever use of its culture mean Brazil is making friends all around the world. Is this just an attempt to secure a seat on the UN Security Council or an emerging nation trying to…
Bujumbura has got all the substance required to turn Burundi’s backwater capital into an African success story and the country’s upcoming elections are a chance to create lasting peace after 15 years of civil war. But…
Mongolia is rich in raw materials and is thought to have huge oil reserves: resources that its neighbour China – with which it shares a rocky relationship – needs. The dust-bowl capital, Ulan Bator, is already flourishing…
Rwanda’s capital Kigali is fast becoming East Africa’s communications hub. Foreign investment and a culture of anti-corruption are behind the boom. Monocle watches a city log on.
The yachting industry has suffered some knocks and Cannes boat fair was 14 per cent down in attendance this year, but there are signs it’s on course for a recovery. And there’s a new appreciation of old-school and sustai…
Wednesday 6 June
Marrakech is a city of staggering diversity – it has the crudely commercial in abundance but it also harbours hidden gems of riads and artisan workshops.
The UK’s reputation has lost its lustre. Time for Lady Britannia to brush herself down, get out there and show off her assets – but what exactly are they?
Perhaps unfairly lumped in with Russia, India and China, Brazil has natural assets – sunny disposition, carnival attitude – that are peculiarly unquantifiable. And as Monocle’s trip to the country discovered, the next 10…
Once a roaring trade hub, Nepal is now among Asia’s poorest nations. But with huge hydroelectric potential and a prime spot between the world’s two fastest-growing economies, the Himalayan nation could soon regain some of…
Often referred to as the last dictatorship in Europe, Belarus has woken up to its image problem and has embarked on a PR mission. But, with its strong-armed leadership still in place, are the changes anything more than…
Sakhalin, in Russia’s far east, is 6,000km from Moscow, yet a short hop from Japan, its former ruler. Marooned from its Asian neighbours during the Soviet era, the region has so far seen little investment from Japanese…
China’s booming economy has triggered a luxury-mall boom. Packed with the best brands, they lack just one thing: shoppers with money. While some companies have found success, many more could soon be packing up and heading…
The Chinese city of Harbin is quickly establishing itself as a regional power, bringing in investment and cashing in on its food and fashion. Although it’s still a long way off Shanghai, it’s proving that it’s far from grim…
Brazil may be the land of soccer and samba, but its status as a superpower is also fast moving beyond the realms of hypothesis into concrete reality. So will global politics soon be moving to a Latin rhythm?
In Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, multinational companies are setting up shop, ports are being built to serve the forestry industry and property is going cheap. All the city needs now is a new generation of global…
Beijing’s citizens are living under more than the legendary smog clouds. The world will be focused on China’s capital city this August, and, if all goes to the Communist Party’s plan, we will be overawed by the glittering…
Taking home-cooking to Singaporeans, tying the knot in Cyprus, making kangaroo-hide sneakers Down Under, and other business news and happenings.
Canada’s far north used to be too cold and inhospitable for anyone to survive there except the Inuit people. But global warming is clearing the snows and luring in a generation of ambitious speculators after oil, diamonds…
Sudan’s government is accused of aiding a genocide in Darfur and so the West refuses to do business with the regime. So how does this failed state cope? Well, for Khartoum the answer is with ease. With the help of Arab cash…
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