In from the cold
Article Abstract:
Albania, a country of 3.2 million people located between Greece and Yugoslavia, has long been the most isolated country in Eastern Europe. Under the leadership of the (Communist) Albanian Worker's Party boss Enver Hoxha between 1945 and Hoxha's death in 1985, the country lived under a repressive Stalinist system which was maintained at the cost of diplomatic and economic isolationism. Hoxha's successor, Ramiz Alia, mindful of the revolution that has swept the communist regimes of other Eastern European countries from power, is liberalizing the country slowly and seeking better relations with the USSR, the US, and the European Community. The country is primitive and plagued by shortages of food and goods. Albania must adapt and establish new trade and diplomatic links with the world because 60% of its trade is with the Comecon countries that are now demanding hard currency. Albania's prime source of hard currency is oil, the production of which has decreased from 3 million to 1 million tons of oil annually, which barely meets domestic needs.
Publication Name: International Management
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0020-7888
Year: 1990
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Orders out of chaos
Article Abstract:
Pavel Ledinek, founder and head of woodworking machinery manufacturer Lestro, has been able to manage the business effectively, despite the unstable Yugoslavian economy, which is characterized by high inflation and devalued currency. The techniques that Ledinek has used include combining his firm's labor force with those of other firms to evade employment restrictions, and persuading the government to allow the construction of a new factory by threatening to close his over-200-employee firm and cause economic hardship in the community. Exporting has helped Lestro sell all of its production. Ledinek is confident that his firm will not be affected by structural reforms in Yugoslavia because his firm's services will continue to be needed.
Publication Name: International Management
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0020-7888
Year: 1991
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Greece and Turkey: open for business
Article Abstract:
Relations between Turkey and Greece are improving. Detente began at a meeting between the Prime Minister of Greece Andreas Papandreou and the Prime Minister of Turkey Turgut Ozal in Jan 1988. The meeting established a committee for economic cooperation, one for political and military disputes, and a business council of private-sector businessmen. Joint ventures and other business deals were negotiated by Turkish and Greek businessmen in Mar 1988 that are worth an estimated $250 million. Barriers to future progress include political and military problems as well bureaucratic delays by both countries. Bilateral exchanges between the two countries currently account for under one percent of each nation's total trade.
Publication Name: International Management
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0020-7888
Year: 1988
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