The face of global trade is changing. Trade agreements such as the FTAA to CAFTA and NAFTA have opened borders for more robust trade, but often at the expense of human rights and environmental protections. A push is gaining momentum to replace the idea of "free trade" - which generally favors the most powerful nations - with "fair trade," which puts producers in developing nations on a more level playing field.
Decatur, Illinois-based Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is one of the world's largest agricultural conglomerates. Its business is primarily structured around the processing and trading of oilseeds (e.g. soy, palm), corn, wheat and cocoa. ADM is also a leading manufacturer of protein meal, corn sweeteners, flour, ethanol and vegetable oil.
Barrick Gold Corporation, the largest pure gold mining company in the world, is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. It has four regional business units (RBU's) located in Australia, Africa, North America, and South America. Barrick is currently undertaking mining and exploration projects in Papua New Guinea, the United States, Canada, Australia, Peru, Chile, Russia, South Africa, Argentina, and Tanzania. On January 20, 2006, Barrick acquired a majority share of Placer Dome.
KPMG is one of the Big Four accounting firms. KPMG LLP, is the U.S. limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a Swiss cooperative.
Through its member firms, KPMG provides audit, tax, and other advisory services.
Rio Tinto, one of the largest mining companies in the world, started out in 1873 as a copper operation in Spain. It now has operations on six continents, with the largest presences in Australia and North America. Its products include aluminum, copper, diamonds, coal, uranium, gold, iron ore, and industrial minerals (borates, titanium dioxide, salt, and talc). Rio Tinto, which has dual headquarters in London and Melbourne, is one of the most controversial corporations in a controversial industry.
Cincinnati-based Chiquita is a global fruit producer and distributor, famous for its brand-name bananas.
Tata Sons is the promoter and major shareholder of all key companies of the Tata Group. The chairman of Tata Sons has traditionally been the chairman of the Tata Group. About 66 percent of the equity capital of Tata Sons is held by philanthropic trusts endowed by members of the Tata family.
This paper focuses on Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Venezuela, five countries with two common denominators: they have elevated hydrocarbon production but a human development index which is significantly below the levels that this production should afford them. This report suggests specific measures which could be taken in order to make such vast natural wealth benefit the population of resource rich countries and contribute to meeting their development needs.
Deloitte & Touche is one of the Big Four accounting firms. It is made up of a series of national partnerships owned by the partners in each country. The local firms are affiliated through a global network that administers the sharing of a common brand name, standards, and procedures. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss verein (German for "union") or membership organization, oversees Deloitte's international organization. Deloitte Touche Tomatsu does not perform any audits or other services for outside clients.
