Regulatory and Economic environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Regulatory and Economic environment - Essay Example Sweden and the United Kingdom are both members of the European Union (EU). Twelve of these nations are tied together with the common currency, the Euro, and the EU's remaining members are obligated to join by treaty once they meet specific criteria. Sweden and the UK have made no plans as of yet to change to the Euro. The EU is the world's largest economy, which is projected to grow at a rate of 2.1% per year. The Growth and Stability Pact insures that each state's deficit doesn't exceed 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and its public debt must remain below 60% of their GDP. The United Kingdom is one of the best places in the world to do stem cell research. This is because of the strong history in stem cell biology in the UK, the tight regulatory system administered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the strong commitment we have, both financially and politically, from the government." (Rehwagen). Simon Best, chairman elect of the United Kingdom Bio Industry Association, also said that, "Australia, the U.K., some U.S. states, and Sweden are world class in this field. The U.K. is in a good position to build on the talents." (Rehwagen). Currently, Sweden is in a phase of economic growth. ... Sweden has a population estimated in 2006 at 9,103,551, with a highly skilled workforce. The World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked Sweden as third in their survey of 104 economies and their capacity for future growth. ("Economy of the European Union"). Business growth in Sweden is deemed successful due to many factors such as: a very healthy macro-economic environment, easy access to advanced technologies, qualified workforce, good infrastructure, and competitive costs for staff, rent, and business expenses. The unemployment rate of Sweden is highly contested among political officials but the official figure is currently at 5.4% (2006.) ("Sweden."). Many Swedes also choose to work abroad in neighboring countries such as Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom. In relation to this, Sweden has had one of the highest tax quotas in the world since the 1960's. Countries such as France, Belgium, and Denmark have very similar taxation rates. Sweden's taxation plan is known as a two-step progressive plan. The average municipal income tax is around 31% to 56% and a capital tax rate of a flat 30%. Single persons with a net wealth more than 1,500,000 Swedish Kroner (SEK) (equivalent to 111,280) are taxed a flat rate of 1.5%. ("Economy of the European Union."). Employers are obligated to pay a 32% tax which is called an "employers fee." Other taxes in Sweden include the national Value Added Tax (VAT) of 18% or 25%, food carries a 12% VAT, and transportation and books are taxed at 6%. Miscellaneous items such as petroleum and alcohol are taxed at higher rates. Due to the high tax rates, Swedes are eligible for many government funded benefits such as:

The Development of the Post-Painterly Paradigm Research Paper

The Development of the Post-Painterly Paradigm - Research Paper Example In the Autumn Rhythm, the effects of the utilization of state ks and other materials are evident. Additionally, inflexion is perceptible, owing to the use of dissimilar colour paints that include black and white. Inflexion is also visible in the force of pouring and dripping on the canvas, thereby producing a significant piece of artwork. Besides, the web-like curves within the artwork critically depict a key inflexion in the Autumn Rhythm. Another significant work is the artwork of Robert Rauschenberg, Dirt Painting in 1953. The object, (dirt on the mould), portrayed was dirt and the d mould embedded in the wooden frame measuring 39 by 41 by 6 cm in dimension (Halasz, 309). The work comprised of dirt placed on a wooden frame and dirt growing on it. Another work is the Automobile Tire Paint, by the same artist, Robert Rauschenberg. The work consisted of twenty sheets of drawing paper. He then inked the rear tire of a car driven by the cage, thereby making the e imprints on the papers . The Automobile Tire Paint depicted significant inflexions in the line thicknesses of the imprints that formed on the paper sheets. Besides, owing to the weight of the automobile, the paints on the paper sheets were heavily imprinted on the sheets, thereby highlighting the zigzag markings. Additionally, the works showed a critical inflexion, owing to the faint imprint from the front tire of the wheel, and the rear tire deposited a succulent black tread blot that extends in a retreating procession, the length of the laid-down paper sheets.