this article relates to our week 9, study because it tells us the the consumers demand for energy is inelastic and how the government decisions affects the price of company products.
Sinopec profit raises directly link to the relaxation of fuel price controls. Sinopec is a government control company, which controls a great deal of the lucrative oil market. When the government eased the fuel price control, it meant that the price could be increased by the oligopoly. This allowed greater margin of profits, which will benefit Sinopec and the government in terms of taxes. The problem is that when price of fuel which is an essential inelastic commodity increases, the inflation will increase for the average consumer. The consumer will have to pay more his daily consumption, which will affect the prices of the goods and services that he is selling.
The Thai government wants to increase the alcohol average tax by a significant percentage. The tax ceiling for the beer and wine will increase to 2000 baht per liter, which is very significant. This is aimed at increasing the government revenue, as the demand for alcohol is inelastic and increasing in consumption. Thailand has a significant percentage of foreign tourist and foreigners living in the country who enjoy alcoholic beverages. Locals are increasing in their income inelastic and consuming more alcohol. This will hopefully reduce the demand, as alcohol is extremely addictive and have negative externalities such as dream driving causing many innocent deaths.
LONDON Nov 7 (Reuters) - Britain's goods trade deficit widened by more than expected in September, hit by a jump in oil imports and by weak export growth to the European Union, official data showed on Friday.
This article paints a very clear picture about Britain's ever increasing manufacturing crisis. Britain has becomes a consumer nation, with little being produced that could reduce the current account deficit. The figures in the article show a continued increase in deficit which will have to lead to more borrowing to bridge the gap. To me this suggests that more has to be done to increase the balance of trade in goods through manufacturing and high end exports in goods.