We wish you a merry Christmas and a bright 2023!
We look forward exchanging or collaborating with you in the future.
The Observatoire de la Finance team
Discussion Board n°29, 24/06/22
According to many observers, the world is now facing the prospect of a global food crisis, with the weakest potentially hit the hardest. Is the conjunction of war and poor harvest forecast the only cause of the crisis or do other underlying structural weaknesses in the world food system also play a role? What can/should be done about them?
Discussion Board n°28, 27/05/22
Is globalization over and what are the reasons? And what next?
Discussion Board n°27, 29/04/22
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has prompted western businesses and/or high-profile brands either to exit the country, to stay or to suspend operations. In reaction, Russia is threatening to nationalise tangible and intangible assets of exiting western companies. Should corporations be encouraged (why and by whom) to take decisions on non-economic grounds (for instance moral)? Is today the moment to re-open the debate of the 1990s on “do corporations have consciousness”?
Decès de Anthony Travis
Tony Travis avait rejoint le Conseil de l’Observatoire de la Finance en 2003, alors qu’il était managing partner à PwC à Genève en charge de la révision des comptes des grandes institutions bancaires suisses. Il a également collaboré avec la Commission Volker sur les fonds en déshérence. Tony a apporté à l’Observatoire l’ouverture sur les questions éthiques dans les professions comptables, notamment celles de la révision et de l’audit. Il était éminemment préoccupé par la montée d’une pratique de la révision basée plus sur les règles que sur les principes, notamment ceux de l’intégrité personnelle. Il en a fait part dans un chapitre publié dans l’ouvrage collectif “Enron and the Wolrd of Finance” (*).
Anthony Travis était un fervent soutien à la mise en place des premières éditions du prix “Ethics & Trust in Finance”. C’est dans ce contexte que Tony nous a permis de rencontrer notre actuel président. En retraite depuis quelques années, Tony consacrait beaucoup d’énergie à la promotion de l’entrepreneuriat en Afrique sub-saharienne et a notamment présidé Swiss African Business Circle. Son expérience professionnelle au Congo, au début de sa carrière, a en effet marqué Tony à vie.
Merci Tony, pour ton amitié, ta compétence, ton expérience et ton humour dont nous garderons un souvenir reconnaissant.
(*) Travis, A. (2006). Enron et al. and Implications for the Auditing Profession. In: Dembinski, P.H., Lager, C., Cornford, A., Bonvin, JM. (eds) Enron and World Finance. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230518865_9
Discussion Board n°26, 25/03/22
In response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the international community has shown willingness to respond but differences and hesitations about the type of instruments, the actors to target and the level of response. The spectrum goes from possible rapid accession of Ukraine to the EU, to economic sanctions. What kind of sanctions should be taken and by whom (governments, companies) in this situation?
Virus To Vitamin n°25, 18/02/22
What to expect from the accelerating progress of artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing as well as in services and public administration. How to prepare for it, does AI deserve – and if yes why – specific regulation, guidance or taxation ?
1971-2021
50 Years of Flexible Exchange Rates:
Reasons, Lessons and Perspectives
Virus To Vitamin n°24, 28/01/22
After trillions of dollars have been injected to contain the economic damage from the pandemic, inflation has suddenly come back on the radar and it may not be transitory as central banks early hoped. While inflation may hurt the interests of savers and creditors, it may also be beneficial for debtors (eg. business or governments). In your view, what are the main the threats, but also possibly the main opportunities related to inflation.
Virus To Vitamin n°23, 23/12/21
As we are approaching the end of 2021, we invite you to look back at these almost 12 months and draw the attention to what you consider as the most significant weak signal, event, decision or new trend for the economic and financial future, whether in your region or globally.