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Of the top 10 world economies with the highest prospects for commerce growth in 2013, the U.S. is noticeable for its absence. Based on Grant Thornton's 2013 Global Dynamism Index (GDI) involving 50 countries, the U.S. slid down from No. 10 last year, to No. 11 in 2013. And to make it worse, its stats for indicators such as financing and labor markets, sank from a collective 64.1 in 2012 to 60.5 in 2013. Yet, it is not that bad. U.S. left behind the Japanese (15) and the South Koreans (13). It also crushed the U.K., which ranked 34 overall, scoring only 51.5 out of a perfect 100. So, things in the U.S. are far from being that bad. "I believe the U.S. is playing out almost exactly the way we expected," said Marc Tommasi, a managing director at investment company Manning & Napier. "It is neither bright nor that terribly bad." Grant Thornton's index provides insights into which of the 50 nations evaluated presents the best ecosystem for investment growth. The U.S. has dropped from the charts. But it has some company. Only a few nations have scaled the charts, and among the most stellar performers is China. It joined the top 10 this year after having placed No. 17 in 2012. Rankings are according to performance in five main areas - business working environment, economics & growth, science & technology, labor & human capital and the lending conditions. The obvious news from this year's index: Asia is a powerhouse for investment growth. And even with the Nordic nations sliding, government policies there make it one of the most ideal areas in the globe to nurture a business. Even more so than the center of capitalism, Uncle Sam. For China, the business working environment and financing were both graded badly, close to the base of the stack. However, nothing defeats the Chinese labor market. Not merely is it cheap, but on the East Coast especially, they are exceedingly skilled as well. In addition, in terms of holistic outlook there, China is No. 2 for general

The crown capital management international relations review eighteen GSK China staff held as whistleblower allegations emerge GlaxoSmithKline, the British drugs company that is the subject of a major criminal investigation in China, faced similar allegations from an internal whistleblower as early as January, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal. Details of the claims made at the start of the year emerged as Chinese police widened their inquiry into the company, putting 18 more GSK employees in detention, according to state media reports. An email from an anonymous whistleblower sent on January 16 to the entire GSK board, its auditors and several public relations staff, and copied to the Serious Fraud Office, appears to describe many of the same claims that are now being investigated by Chinese police. However, GSK has repeatedly said it only became aware of the specific problems identified by police two weeks ago. In the wake of the whistleblower email, GSK said it conducted a four-month internal investigation but "found no evidence of corruption or bribery". But the allegations listed in the email appear to be very similar to some of the wrong-doings now being alleged by Chinese investigators. http://the-crown-management.tumblr.com/ http://the-crown-management.blogspot.com/

Concerned about possible escalation of long-seething tensions over certain isles in South China Sea, Southeast Asian officials meeting in Brunei this week are planning to press China to agree to begin talks to draft a new pact aimed at preventing a major military confrontation in one of the busiest waterways in the globe.

Lately, the stock market has weakened with commodities been getting crushed. Is the global economy slowing down hard? Maybe. Recent U.S. economic data especially in housing has been disappointing. And growth in China, a global growth engine, has slowed as it continues to crack down on corruption, property prices, and shadow banking.

As China remains blanketed by an ever-thickening haze, we in the United States can be grateful of one thing: The air is getting cleaner in most parts. The American Lung Association reported in its State of the Air 2013 that 18 cities have lower dust pollution compared to previous years, while 16 had their lowest figures ever.