Trade & Finance Archives

Green promises, harsh reality: only 16% of European companies deliver

Trade & Finance, World Economy / By Doğan Erbek

In recent years, European companies have made ambitious climate pledges, aligning with the EU’s Green Deal and global net-zero targets. Yet, behind the polished sustainability reports and public commitments lies a sobering truth: only 16% of the continent’s largest firms are currently on track to meet their net-zero goals by 2050. This stark figure reveals …

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The evolution of supply chains showing trends in corporate adaptation

Markets, Trade & Finance / By Doğan Erbek

Supply chains have undergone a dramatic transformation over the past few decades. Once characterized by linear, cost-driven models focused on efficiency and scale, today’s supply chains are increasingly dynamic, digital, and resilient. This evolution has been driven by globalization, technological innovation, shifting consumer expectations, and disruptions such as pandemics, geopolitical tensions, and climate-related events. In …

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How trade policy volatility threatens financial stability and economic growth

Trade & Finance, World Economy / By Doğan Erbek

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, trade policies serve as critical levers for shaping economic outcomes. However, when these policies become unpredictable or subject to frequent change – what economists refer to as trade policy volatility – they can pose significant risks to both financial stability and long-term economic growth. This volatility undermines investor confidence, …

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The rising climate cost of AI: a wake-up call for the financial sector

Markets, Trade & Finance / By Doğan Erbek

The climate cost of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly central theme in today’s global financial and sustainability conversations. It is evident from recent analyses by industry observers that while AI holds extraordinary promise for innovation and economic development, its environmental impact—particularly the carbon footprint and energy consumption associated with data centers—is a concern …

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Evolution of food traceability through digital technologies

Trade & Finance / By Doğan Erbek

Food traceability has come a long way from paper logs to real-time digital systems. Food traceability, which is the ability to track food products from their origin to the consumer, has always been essential for safety, quality, and trust. But in recent years, the way we trace food has undergone a dramatic transformation. What was …

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Global central banks at a crossroads: diverging paths on interest rates

Trade & Finance / By Doğan Erbek

Global central banks are currently navigating a complex landscape of economic conditions, leading to divergent paths in their interest rate policies. This divergence is driven by varying rates of economic growth, inflation, and other macroeconomic factors across different regions. As I delve into the specifics of how major central banks are handling their interest rate …

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The circular economy as a development model: What are the opportunities for companies?

Energy, Trade & Finance / By Doğan Erbek

The circular economy represents a transformative approach to economic growth that prioritizes sustainability, resource efficiency, and environmental health. Unlike the traditional linear economy, which follows a “take, make, dispose” pattern, the circular economy aims to create a closed-loop system where resources are reused, recycled, and regenerated. This model offers numerous opportunities for companies to innovate, …

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Nuclear: Interests shift to microreactor production

Energy, Trade & Finance / By Doğan Erbek

The nuclear energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as interests shift towards the development and deployment of nuclear microreactors. While there are still questions about how nuclear energy factors in the drive towards a sustainable global economy, there’s no denying that microreactors are game changers especially with respect to how nuclear power can be …

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The future of responsible mineral management in corporate supply chains

Trade & Finance / By Doğan Erbek

Minerals are increasingly crucial to global supply chains, especially given the rising importance of technology and AI. However, the mining and processing of minerals has significantly increased the risk of various issues, from forced labor to corruption, child labor and other human rights abuses. Given the severity of these issues, more companies are being encouraged …

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Monetary policy shifts in 2025: What’s next for central banks?

Markets, Trade & Finance / By Doğan Erbek

In 2024, we saw a majority of central banks around the world take a gradual easing approach as previously sky-high interest rates were dialled back amid slowing economic activity. With inflation moderating across global markets, we’re poised for a 2025 where central banks have to decide whether to continue rate cuts, hold steady or resume …

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