Protocol, Intercultural Communication and Diplomacy for Business
The World Next Door
Azerbaijan
Formerly part of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan has been independent since 1991. Over 93% of Azeris are Muslim. The World Bank named Azerbaijan “Top Reformer” in its “Doing Business 2009” report, reflecting its significant efforts to simplify its domestic regulatory requirements.* The country is rich in natural resources including petroleum and natural gas. These energy ties led to the establishment of a sister city relationship between Houston and its capital, Baku.
According to the last U.S. census there were about 1.5 million Danes living in the U.S. So while there may not be large concentrations of Danes in any one city, there is a strong Danish influence all around us. You may have grown up reading the fairy tales of Hans Andersen or listening to the music of pianist, Victor Borge. You may have Royal Copenhagen porcelain in your home or have read the work of Peter Hoeg, author of Smilla’s Sense of Snow. And if none of these are familiar check to see where the baby back ribs you are eating originated. Denmark is among the largest exporters of baby back ribs to the U.S.
In 2004 I had the privilege of working on the visit of H.E. Anders Fogh Rasmussen then Prime Minister of Denmark and learned more about this country and the special role the Danes played in world history. The Prime Minister came to Houston to accept The Holocaust Museum Houston’s Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award on behalf of the Danish people. In October 1943, the Danes came together to help their fellow countrymen and transported over 7,000 Danish Jews in fishing boats to safety in Sweden.
You can learn more about Denmark and its relationship with the U.S. by participating in activities at any of the Danish-American Chambers of Commerce found in Atlanta, New York, California, and the Midwest or at the Danish Clubs in Houston, Washington, DC and Tucson. In Houston you can also send your children to the Danish Saturday School, Vikingeskolen, http://www.vikingeskolen.com/.
Embassy of Denmark
State Department Denmark Background Note
Visit Denmark
Pakistan
Pakistan is much in the news today due in large part to its support of the U.S. in the war on terrorism but there are also strong business ties. According to the State Department report,
“Pakistan's principal natural resources are arable land, water, hydroelectric potential, and natural gas reserves.”… “Pakistan has extensive energy resources, including fairly sizable natural gas reserves, some proven oil reserves, coal, and large hydropower potential. However, exploitation of energy resources has been slow due to a shortage of capital and domestic and international political constraints. For instance, domestic gas and petroleum production totals only about half the country's energy needs, and dependence on imported oil contributes to Pakistan's persistent trade deficits and shortage of foreign exchange. The government announced that privatization in the oil and gas sector is a priority.”
