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Foreign travel advice Indonesia
FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Indonesia.
Foreign travel advice Romania
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 24 April 2024 Updated: 23 April 2024 Latest update: Information related to drug offences and Romanian music festivals (under 'Laws and cultural differences' subheading on the 'Safety and security' page).
Foreign travel advice The Gambia
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Ferry services between Banjul and Barra have been suspended until further notice; The Islamic Summit of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) will be held in Banjul on 4-5 May; road closures and delays at Banjul International Airport ('Safety and security' page).
Foreign travel advice China
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Updated information on flooding (‘Safety and security’ page).
Guidance Living in South Korea
Information for British citizens moving to or living in South Korea, including guidance on residency, healthcare, driving and more.
Slovakia: Credit Crunch? What Credit Crunch!
Productivity in the region has not always been high, but the Slovakian economy has a greater chance of improving in the face of the credit crunch than longer established economies such as the UK.
MILLY BERNICE discusses why the credit crunch could end up working in Slovakia's favour.
A report in the Slovakias biggest economic newspaper Hospodřské Noviny called for greater competition in the telecommunications and energy markets. The report from liberal economic think tank FA Hayek, also suggests that the government should reduce red-tape to persuade new companies to enter these markets in Slovakia. The government is said to be in favour of encouraging healthy competition.
The report explained that productivity in the region has not always been high, but that the Slovakian economy has a greater chance of improving in the face of the credit crunch than longer established economies such as the UK.
This follows news that the Slovakian banks are unlikely to need any rescue packages, with only one bank in the region falling out of the black. Slovakian based banks have not invested in the US securities markets that have been at the centre of the credit crunch, and customer deposits outweigh borrowing by 20%. Unlike much of Europe, including near neighbour Hungary, the banks collectively made a profit in excess of 500m Euros in 2008.