Recipe for an icon
It was a tough sell, but Cyril Callister, inventor of Australia’s beloved spread, Vegemite, overcame a disappointing beginning to shape the taste of a nation. Read how Vegemite went from being spectacularly unsuccessful to remarkable. Read more
Indonesia: a growing market for Australian farmers
Like China, Indonesia has a fast-growing middle class with an appetite for Australian produce. Grant Healy, Director of NAB's Asia Desk, discusses the business opportunities, available resources and the importance of paying a visit. Read more
Base Metals Market Update – August 2013
Metals prices remain well below peaks recorded earlier in the year but have seen some support recently from more upbeat economic data, particularly from the large advanced economies, although China is showing early signs of stabilising as well. Read more
Gold Market Update – August 2013
The price of gold fell by a notable 4.3% in July, but has stabilised more recently, recovering by a modest 2.8% over August to date. Spot gold is currently around $1,380 an ounce. The price of gold will certainly record its first annual decline since 2000. Read more
Quarterly Agribusiness Survey – June 2013
Post-farmgate agribusiness conditions rebounded in the June quarter to be mildly positive but confidence fell marginally. Customer demand remains the single most significant constraint to businesses’ future profitability. Expectations for capex plans surged to the highest in two years. Read more
Tapping into China’s e-commerce market
It’s time for Australian businesses to start thinking more about how they can tap into China’s booming e-commerce market. Lisa Goodhand, Director at China Blueprint Online shares some steps businesses can take to help boost their sales. Read more
Telehealth makes quality healthcare more accessible
Telehealth could provide many Australians with easier access to healthcare, monitor chronic illnesses more effectively and assist the ageing population. Dr James Freeman (pictured) founded GP2U to remove logistical obstacles to the uptake of telehealth, but other challenges remain. Read more
US Economic Update – August 2013
US GDP rose by 1.7% (annualized rate) in the June quarter, an improvement on the March quarter, but still only a modest rate of growth. The stronger growth largely reflected a pick-up in business investment and a much smaller detraction from growth from public demand. Read more
Rural Commodities Wrap – August 2013
Global equity markets recovered earlier losses as it became clear that central banks would not rapidly turn off their monetary easing, although we still expect the US Federal Reserve to start tapering in the coming few weeks. Read more
Stepping back from total control
A business that depends on one person for its success is a business at risk - but stepping back is rarely easy, particularly for the founder of a family business. Bill Noye, Partner in charge of KPMG Private Enterprise in Brisbane, suggests ways to make the process as smooth as possible. Read more
China Economic Update – August 2013
Partial economic indicators, although still subdued, provided some signs that the economy may be stabilising. Trade data were somewhat above expectations, including much stronger import growth pointing to improved domestic demand. Read more
Australia & the World on two pages – August 2013
Central bank statements reinforcing their guidance that interest rates should stay low for a long time yet across the big advanced economies, have supported financial markets. Recent business surveys and industrial data point to an upturn in growth in these advanced economies Read more
