It has been reported that over the next ten years, Japan, the world’s third-largest nuclear power generator, aims to build another 13 reactors. In a bid to compete for uranium supplies with the world’s two fastest growing economies, China and India, Japanese energy companies are moving to further acquire interests in uranium mines. Depressed share prices in the uranium mining market make this a cost-effective period for energy companies to secure future supply lines. Boutique fund management firm HEXAM Capital has stated that it remained upbeat on emerging markets in lieu of  grim economic data from the likes of Russia and China. Government infrastructure spending plans,relatively  low debt and sound fundamentals made emerging markets an attractive investment, HEXAM executives have today told Reuters. The 73.5 million euro ($95 million) Global Emerging Markets Fund invests in Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa, among others. Euromonitor International, an industry research firm, has predicted that the $36.5 billion premium cosmetics industry - including skin care and so-called color cosmetics, or makeup - will grow 3 percent a year through 2012, hardly sizzling but respectable amid a global economic slowdown. According to Euromonitor, much of that growth will be driven by developing markets like China, where Euromonitor expects sales to increase 11 percent a year through 2012. Japan, by contrast, is expected to grow 2 percent per year. Ireland’s foreign minister, Michael Martin, has stated that a cause of concern in this time of global economic turmoil, was President Barack Obama’s pledge to provide incentives for U.S. companies to create jobs in America rather than overseas.“We have to keep an eye on this,” Martin said.

“A very serious danger that could emerge from this global crisis is that there is a natural instinct for countries to go back to protectionism. For Ireland as an exporting country that would be damaging. It’s not feasible to restrict corporate America to America. If you become a truly global company you have to set up base in the markets you want to sell into.” Companies such as Boston Scientific, Microsoft, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Intel are in Ireland as they needed a base in Europe in order to access the market effectively, Michael also pointed out.