July 2008 - International Risk Assessment - Handling Mass Staff Defections

Mass staff defections can inflict enormous amounts of damage on a company – from serious financial losses and negative publicity to the loss of key IT data and core clients. Losing key people in such dramatic circumstances creates a crisis that tests the ability and resolve of senior management and, if not handled correctly, can threaten the future of the enterprise.

But what should senior managers look out for and what can they do if it happens to their business? The International Risk report identifies the danger signals and offers step-by-step advice on how to react to the crisis. To receive a copy of this important International Risk report, email us at reports@intl-risk.com.

January 2008 - International Risk Assessment: Terrorism Trends in Asia - 2008

Excluding Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the overall terrorism outlook for Asia in the coming 12 months is cautiously optimistic. Given the serious impact that terrorist events can have on practical business issues - a basic understanding of likely threat scenarios is helpful to almost all businesses operating on a regional basis.

The International Risk report offers a careful assessment of the situation in the individual countries across Asia, and specifically comments on Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, China and Northeast Asia. Click here to view the report

October / November 2007 - International Risk Assessment: Taiwan Risk Report

The forthcoming elections and other related issues have raised serious concerns as to the risk profile of Taiwan over the next twelve months.

Elections are boisterous affairs in Taiwan’s fledging democracy and the vote for a new president next March promises to spark plenty of fireworks. Outgoing President Chen Shui-bian is believed to be preparing a departing pyrotechnic display with a last minute time-bomb or two, aimed at promoting his pro-independence agenda by attaching a referendum to the presidential ballot on the island’s application for U.N. membership under the name “Taiwan”. This move has predictably sparked fierce criticism and threats from Beijing and has caused Washington D.C. to suspend high-level ties with Taipei.

What other developments and surprises can be expected in the run-up to the election? International Risk assesses the political and business risks surrounding Taiwan over the next six months as the election cycle moves into top gear.

To receive a copy of this comprehensive International Risk assessment, email us at reports@intl-risk.com 

March 2007 - International Risk Assessment: Terrorism Trends in Asia - 2007

The terrorism outlook for the Asia-Pacific region in 2007 is decidedly grim. As the pace of terrorist attacks continues to pick up, there is likely to be a steady stream of small scale extremist activity as well as the possibility of larger scale strikes over the year ahead, with the risks to businesses in the region remaining high.

October 2006 - International Risk – North Korea – Future Implications

International Risk has drawn up a report which explores the strategic thinking of the North Korean regime and their logic for conducting nuclear tests. The report outlines the likely future implications for Asia.
Click here to view the report

March 2006 - International Risk Assessment: Terrorism in Asia - Current Trends and the Evolving Nature of the Threat

Despite significant successes achieved by the various International security services against terror organisations - a credible threat from Terrorism remains. In parts of the Asia Pacific Region, the risks remain as high as they have been over the past three years. These risks however have evolved and are now, in reality somewhat different from the public perception of the problem.

International Risk has drawn up a report which assesses this evolving global threat and which specifically addresses key terrorist groups active in the region as well as current “hot spots” and themes.

To receive a copy of this comprehensive International Risk assessment, email us at reports@intl-risk.com

India continues to establish itself as an emerging global force attracting increasing foreign direct investment. In response to the ever changing business climate, companies need to develop strategies to increase competitiveness and improve profitability. When expanding into new and developing markets, there are various elements that help make the endeavour successful as well as risks which can lead to severe disappointment. With India being touted as the new market and global player, it is critical that companies understand and appreciate both the opportunities and challenges faced by foreign investors. In short, provided companies take appropriate action to, India works. It represents a huge opportunity for the investor who has the appetite for detail, is patient and looks to the long term.

International Risk, the premier international risk mitigation and investigation company, provides a strategic assessment on the risks and opportunities for foreign investors entering this exciting market.

To receive a copy of this comprehensive International Risk assessment, email us at reports@intl-risk.com

In the five years since its return to Chinese sovereignty, the former Portuguese colony of Macau has witnessed unprecedented economic growth, driven by huge investment inflows into its gaming and tourist industries and an explosion in visitor arrivals, particularly from the mainland. Whilst there are positive indications as to Macau continuing its growth as a regional gaming centre, much like its new role model - Las Vegas, there are nevertheless uncertainties and risks arising from its chequered past as much as from its future under Beijing’s current benevolent oversight. Understanding these factors is crucial if foreign investors are to mitigate this risk.

International Risk, the premier international risk mitigation and investigation company has developed a strategic review of the challenges facing Macau, the opportunities it presents investors, and the risks they could encounter. International Risk has considerable experience in discreetly assisting foreign investors who seek to enter this colorful, yet exciting environment.

To receive a free copy of this International Risk assessment, email us at reports@intl-risk.com

This calm in China-Japan relations has been damaged by a ‘perfect storm’ of controversies that has unleashed pent-up passions among Chinese city-dwellers across the country. The history text-book issue over Japan’s war-time activity in China, Japan’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat and Tokyo’s decision to allocate drilling rights in disputed territorial waters are all highly charged emotional issues that strike at the very heart of Chinese popular nationalism.

While these controversies have propelled Chinese onto the streets in their thousands, the Chinese leadership’s decision to allow these anti-Japanese protests to take place is driven by deeper structural issues that suggest China-Japan ties are likely to remain volatile in the longer term.

January 2005 - International Risk - India Outlook 2005
International Risk comment on the opportunities and challenges faced by foreign investors in India

After a decade of paring costs and curtailing investment, many Indian companies are today among the world's most competitive, and profitable, in a variety of industries. Capacity utilisation is at a peak and, with domestic demand and export growth soaring, "India Inc." has now embarked on one of the biggest investment binges in its history.

July 2004 - The Stability of Saudi Arabia in the Face of Mounting Terrorist Attacks

A series of bloody terrorist attacks and killings of Western contractors in Saudi Arabia in the past several months has led to mounting concerns that the world’s biggest oil producing state is facing a full-blown war between shadowy but fanatical terrorists bent on overthrowing the ruling Al-Saud royal family and disrupting the flow of oil to the world economy. More than 30 foreign expatriate workers have been killed, world oil prices have soared because of fears that Saudi oil supplies might be affected and growing numbers of skilled foreign workers that are vital to the maintenance of the Saudi economy are leaving the country.

May 2004 - International Risk retained to undertake an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged assassination attempt on Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu

International Risk has been authorized by our client, under the terms and conditions of our engagement, to release this summary.

On the basis of the information available to us thus far, we believe it likely the highly publicized Presidential belly wound was caused by a gunshot.

There is insufficient evidence currently available to come to any conclusion in relation to the Vice President's knee wound.

On the basis of all the information currently available and highlighted in our report there are, in our opinion, reasonable grounds to believe that the incident was not an attempted assassination. As such, a full, comprehensive and transparent investigation is warranted to ascertain if the shooting was staged, and if so to identify those responsible.

The Tainan Shooting Incident is a critical issue with far reaching implications and the true circumstances of this incident and its aftermath should be addressed as a matter of urgency.

To this end, International Risk recommends:

1. A comprehensive and independent judicial inquiry into the incident and its aftermath be launched;
   
2. Key government witnesses, including the President and Vice President and their immediate entourage, should be made available to be interviewed by this judicial body.
   
3. The inquiry should also be empowered to summon key civilian witnesses involved in the recovery of the cartridge cases, Chi Mei hospital staff and other witnesses;
   
4. The judicial inquiry should demand the release of all forensic information adduced to date, be it in Taiwan or the USA;
   
5. Any such judicial inquiry should not place a high reliance on the ballistic or forensic evidence until the provenance of every exhibit is established beyond doubt;
   
6. Additionally, there should be a public appeal for persons with photographic or video images taken before, during and after the incident, to come forward; and
   
7. The inquiry should not focus solely on the shooting to the exclusion of its impact on the wider issue.
   

BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT IN ASIA
Presentation to the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI)

MANAGING TERRORISM IN ASIA
Presentation to the AIG Luncheon -
Strategic Response to Terrorism Risk For Businesses
To view Press Release, click here