The Indonesian Parliament legislated a Shariah or Islamic banking bill to promote the Shariah banking industry as an alternative for the traditional banking industry that would boost the real sector. Hence, the banking industry requires a special law that provides it a legal base. Moreover, the law safeguards the interest of both Muslims and non-Muslims because the banking industry is universal in nature.

Besides, the long-awaited law will not only provide legitimacy to the transactions but also strengthen the regulatory environment that would boost the Islamic finance market in the country. The new law has included a provision for establishment of new Shariah banks jointly by foreigners and Indonesian citizens or local authorities. It also gives flexibility to the commercial banks for converting their businesses into Shariah-compliant banks.

Apart from this, the Islamic banking industry of Indonesia is based on the rulings of the Central Bank of Indonesia. Therefore, with the enactment of the new law, the Shariah banking industry would get the legal base to run in the country.

The Indonesian Islamic banking industry is growing at a rapid pace in the country leading to vast opportunities for global financial institutions to grow in this sector. Also, it will keep the global players updated on the developments in the Islamic banking markets in many other emergent countries. Hence, it makes sense to be aware about the developments taking place in the Shariah banking industry of Indonesia.

Related report: Sharia Banking System in Indonesia

The techie will probably also tell you that it’s almost unthinkable in today’s content driven world to imagine a workplace without a Content Management System to organise, communicate and track information. For instance, a large proportion of information that a company creates is in the form of unstructured data. This could be in the form of spreadsheets, word files on employee computers, images or any other type of files. But companies have to make these accessible and available to several workers, customers or business partners. This is best done in an automated system to increase efficiency, reduce costs and repetitiveness and make employees more effective.

A new report, Content Applications Market 2007-2010, which stresses how critical it is for businesses to manage the content they produce, finds that the demand for content management is being driven by a shift from on-premise content management to web content management in the form of a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform.

Further, the need for content management is rising in proportion with increased collaboration among employees and use of Customer Relationships Management (CRM) and sales automation tools. Importantly, it is also being driven by compliances that require management of documents and other content over long periods of time.

The report forecasts the market size of content management applications over a three-year period from 2007-2010. In addition, the report identifies and highlights the key drivers for the content management applications for the major verticals.

In today’s commercially-oriented world, it has become a trend among public sector agencies to treat constituents as customers who expect top levels of service.The operating environment for public sector agencies is characterized by the need to "do more with less". As governments strive to provide more personalized public services, they are looking to CRM solutions, which can help align service delivery with constituent needs and address numerous pain points.

CRM was initially used as a solution for private sector companies to better manage their sales, service and marketing channels. With public sector adoption of CRM, however, governments are using these features to meet their own unique needs. For example, CRM’s service function facilitates the provision of information to constituents. One of the key drivers is the surge in government contact centers for constituent inquiries, such as the numerous non-emergency contact center initiatives which have been rolled out across North America and Europe.

In today’s world, agencies are faced with the task of managing relationships with a diverse mix of constituents, whether it is providing top quality services, giving agency employees the tools they need to do their job well or attracting and retaining citizens and businesses. CRM helps manage all these relationships by making interactions more personalized and efficient. Governments are able to automate workflow and consistently track cases as they move through the system, agency to agency, in order to be resolved. For example, social services departments are using case management to improve efficiency and ensure consistency in how they track and record interactions with their clients.

Furthermore, CRM allows governments to inform constituents of relevant services and upcoming events or deadlines which might affect them. For example, sending out a reminder email about tax filing information in advance of the deadline can decrease the number of late filers. Not only does this bode well for revenue collection, it also reduces the costs of chasing after the late-filers. In some cases, innovative governments have taken this a step further, and are experimenting with Web 2.0 in CRM, through constituent surveys and interactive websites. CRM solutions also allow governments to increase efficiencies and reduce costs by tailoring message content for constituents.

Related Reading: CRM and The Move to Constituent-Centric Government

However, this explosive phenomenon faces growing challenges. Many consumers are reaching saturation point, suffering from so-called “celebrity fatigue”. Consumer cynicism is piqued by celebrities endorsing too many disparate products, undermining both the individual’s and the brands’ credibility. Falling celebrity brand equity and scandals can directly hit endorsed brands’ fortunes and sometimes celebrity endorser’s own personal brand strength can overshadow that of the brand they are meant to be endorsing.

Products are emerging as the next generation of celebrities. Apple’s iPod and especially the iPhone have transcended mere product status and become iconic, with globally recognized identities and, indeed, personalities of their own. Consumers’ relationships with these celebrity-like branded products are based heavily on participation and interaction, two behaviors that are desired, but rarely achieved by everyday people in their relationships with actual celebrity idols.

For celebrity branding to remain effective, marketers must make sure that celebrity campaigns are underpinned by a strong brand message or story – the celebrity can then add value rather than be used to make up for a lack of substance in the actual product.

Consumers are also increasingly viewing authenticity as a key determinant in their consumption behaviors and thus the most authentic celebrity-marketed brands are those where a celebrity themselves created them. Also, avoiding the craze for so-called “nonebrities”, the reality TV-fuelled breed of celebrity essentially famous for being famous who embody Andy Warhol’s comment that “in the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes”, is crucial for brands looking to achieve longevity and avoid looking opportunistic or short-term in their strategic positioning.

Related Reading: The Cult of Celebrity: Exploring the implications for effective consumer packaged goods branding

Maybe that’s the reason to why Volvo-cars are seen lined up on the streets, or perhaps, people have been fed up with the highest petrol prices in Europe.

It is good to see Sweden taking the lead for a healthier environment. Here, the market has been bolstered by tax breaks such as all carbon dioxide neutral fuels being exempt from carbon and energy taxes.

The rest of Europe is rapidly following the increasing biofuel market, with UK’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) saying that from April 2008 biofuels must make up at least 2.5% of transport fuel supplier’s sales by volume, increasing to 5% by 2010, and in Germany, they have introduced the compulsory blending of at least 1.2% of biodiesel with regular diesel from January 2007

France, Sweden and Italy have also introduced obligations on fuel retailers to sell biofuels.

This success is all dependent on the national legal mandates and increased availability at the pump says a new report The European Landscape for Biofuels in the Transport Sector.

In the UK the availability of biofuels is increasing. The number of service stations selling biodiesel increased almost five-fold between 2006 and 2007, with numbers growing from 110 to 499.

The sales of biofuels in the whole of EU has increased since the introduction of the European Biofuels Directive. They predict the biofuels market will account for 5.75% of total road fuel sales by 2010.

The biofuels market increased from 0.5% in 2003 to 1% in 2005. EU energy ministers agreed in February 2007 to increase this target by 10% by 2010.

The European Union is a particularly strong advocate of biofuels rather than other alternative fuels because it believes that they are currently the only direct substitute for oil in transport that is available on a significant scale.

Replacing diesel and petrol with fuels made from renewable sources also helps the EU in achieving other goals such as meeting climate change commitments, ensuring a security of supply of road fuel and promoting renewable energy sources.

Moreover, a large number of customers are shifting from conventional system of financing to Islamic finance as it is safer and more stable than traditional systems because banks and clients together take decisions and share risks, leading to strong growth in Islamic banking.

Furthermore, in traditional financing systems, there is a risk of receiving inappropriate information with clients unable to repay debts, which results in huge losses to the bank. Islamic banks attempt to maintain bonds in society by assuring fair and just distribution of profit and wealth among all the parties, as well as a general economic growth.

However, most of the financial institutions are unaware about Shariah as they have only heard of traditional banking systems. Also, their employees are unaware of principles of Islamic banking and it is likely to badly affect the Islamic banking system as they will be unable to pitch the products well.

According to a research analyst at RNCOS it is necessary to launch joint Islamic banking projects with diverse Shariah-compliant products to support the global economy. In order to achieve these goals, banks should develop new projects and take steps for implementing Islamic takaful. Also, to develop ideal Shariah-compliant products and to analyse various business fields, scholars of Islamic banking are required.

Related Reading: Philippines Banking Sector Analysis

Although Hungary’s MOL recently successfully fought off a hostile takeover bid from Austria’s OMV, it has been left weakened at an inconvenient time. Indeed, while MOL’s long-time ambition to acquire INA may become a reality at the end of October, when the moratorium on the firm acquiring further shares in the Croatian state oil company will expire, MOL will have to make a significant financial outlay to achieve this goal.

The Croatian government is reportedly keen to sell to MOL, which already holds a 25% stake in INA. However, should MOL have insufficient funds to make this purchase following its recent efforts to see off OMV’s hostile advances in June, the shares will have to be sold on the open market. It is unlikely that the sale will not take place, as Croatia will need to divest all but 25% of INA’s shares in order to fulfill an EU accession criterion.

OMV has built up a considerable war-chest with which it could push up the market price of INA shares, further extending the financial outlay that MOL will have to make. Furthermore, should MOL be perceived to be paying far over the odds for INA, its own share price may be weakened, thus increasing its vulnerability to any approach from OMV. OMV has already acquired a 20% stake in MOL, but questions remain regarding how much more the Hungarian government would be happy for the Austrian firm to acquire, or what the government could do to prevent OMV from increasing its stake.

While MOL is eager to increase its stake in INA to a controlling one, and may have the perfect opportunity to do this following the Croatian government’s announcement, the Hungarian firm has only a short time to try to firm up its finances. This would allow it to achieve its ambition of being the most influential market player in the region, which would see much of the energy imported into the EU pass through it. However, OMV is unlikely to take this lying down, and so a waiting game will ensue.

Related Reading: The European Oil Refining Market Outlook: Industry analysis, key trends and country profiles

FedEx, which reported negative results in the last quarter of its financial year and subsequently issued a pessimistic outlook, is heavily reliant on the slowing US market. As a result, it now appears to be looking for radical ways to improve its position in the global express sector. Despite the weakened US dollar, the effects of a tougher economic environment and rising fuel costs appear to have sparked FedEx’s renewed interest in the acquisition of Dutch mail and express rival TNT.

FedEx has already been trying to reduce its dependence on its home market and the use of air networks by building a stronger presence in the European market, as well as investing in its Asian network. The acquisition of ANC in the UK helped to secure a stronger position in one of Europe’s key markets, and TNT’s dominant position in the intra-European express market makes it an ideal target that would allow FedEx to develop its position in Europe further.

A recent report suggests that, despite showing decreasing growth rates, the European express market is still in a good state, with the B2C and Eastern European markets acting as its main growth drivers. TNT is particularly well positioned to capture any growth in the B2B markets as it has a strong road and air network that is operational in all the key markets. The company also boasts a strong position in emerging markets in the rest of the world, notably the Brazilian, Russian, Indian and Chinese (BRIC) markets and the Middle East.

Should the tie-up be completed, the effects would be far-reaching. Significant pressure would be placed upon DHL and UPS, given that they would have to compete with a global player capable of exploiting greater economies of scale and serving the needs of globally operating companies more efficiently as further internationalization of the industry takes shape.

Related Reading: Express Market Map 2008

The Romanian Ministry of Transport has announced that 10 motorway stations will be built along the Sun Motorway (A2), more than doubling the number of motorway service stations from the current eight. OMV, Rompetrol and Petrom are the companies that have won the concessions, which will run for a maximum of 29 years. Upon signing the contract they were obliged to set up temporary service stations within 60 days, after which they will have four months in which to establish permanent structures.

At a time when the motorway service station sector in Western Europe is saturated, with no more space being allocated for new sites and concessions already taken, Romania stands out as a market where there is much potential for fuel retailers to build further motorway service stations. Given that motorway sites are generally considered to be highly desirable due to their high levels of profitability and brand exposure, Romania will appeal to a wide range of fuel retailers, domestic and foreign alike.

Although the country has the least developed network in Europe, with 279km of motorway, there is a substantial motorway building plan underway. By 2016 a further 1,747km will have been added through the extension of existing motorways and the building of additional ones. If it is assumed that there will be a service station for every 40km of motorway, on both sides of the road, as is generally the average in Western Europe, when these projects have been completed there will be an additional 87 motorway sites in Romania, making a total of 95.

Indeed, even when compared to its neighbors, Romania stands out as a market that fuel retailers wishing to expand their motorway sites should target; Poland currently has 1,927km of motorway under construction, while Hungary has 470km and the Czech Republic has 369km.

The provision of the 10 concessions to build service stations on Romanian motorways looks to be the first of many. As in many other Eastern European markets, the large motorway building projects underway in Romania offer fuel retailers, both Romanian and foreign, a significant opportunity to expand in this sector.

Related Reading: The Penetration and Performance of Motorway Sites in European Fuel Retailing

Vitali Vasiliev, Gazprom’s UK marketing and trading chief, underscored the firm’s strategy, stating that: ‘Smart metering is the technology of the future. This is in line with our goal to be leader of diversified energy services.’ This policy is especially pertinent, given the rising public and regulatory concern regarding energy consumption.

Smart metering is widely known for its demand management and energy efficiency advantages, particularly its ability to reduce consumption and, therefore, CO2 emissions. However, one of the key sticking points in rolling out this key innovation has been the important question of the cost of delivering smart metering. UK energy regulator Ofgem has made its position clear, putting the onus on suppliers. Meanwhile, the Energy Retail Association has voiced its members’ concerns over the financial risks involved in such a large-scale project and the need for guarantees given the possibility of failure.

Prudently, Gazprom has set the standard for smart metering activities early, and has used its massive financial resources to establish its reputation, expertise and brand in the metering market. This strategy will also facilitate a number of key cost saving synergies with the gas monopoly’s existing assets, mainly Pennine Natural Gas. At a policy level, it appears that the energy market has delivered in providing suppliers with the incentives needed for this undertaking, albeit at a cautious and limited level.

However, the success or failure of technological innovation has been determined by standards, interoperability and ultimately the diffusion or uptake of services. As yet, there is no firm dominating technology or standards in the smart metering market. Furthermore, in the absence of any real competition for Gazprom, the wholesale development of smart metering in the UK lies in the balance.

Related Reading: Smart Metering in the Energy and Utilities Sector