News & Insights

Abiy Comes to Washington: Five Opportunities and Risks for Investors in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy will visit Washington next week as part of the US-Africa Leaders Summit. Veracity Worldwide's Jay Truesdale, Olivia Johnson, Nandita Balakrishnan, PhD, and Corentin d'Ansembourg outline the investment opportunities Abiy is likely to emphasize in Washington, as well as attendant risks for investors.

By Jay Truesdale, Olivia Johnson, Nandita Balakrishnan, PHD, and Corentin d'Ansembourg

Moderating Ambitions for Brazil: Lula’s Agenda will be Tempered by Tradeoffs

President-elect Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva will face ongoing challenges addressing a Bolsonaro-led opposition movement and a slowing economy, while making trade-offs with Congress and the military. Veracity Worldwide’s Jay Truesdale, Mitch Hayes, Eric Cuevas, and Nandita Balakrishnan, PhD project that Lula could face pressure to adopt moderate positions, potentially derailing his bold agenda and disappointing supporters.

By Jay Truesdale, Mitch Hayes, Nandita Balakrishnan, Eric Cuevas

Brazil’s President-Elect ‘Lula’ Promises Prosperity but Faces Economic Perils

Veracity’s CEO Jay Truesdale spoke with the The Wall Street Journal on the impact for businesses of Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva's victory in Brazil’s presidential election. He stated that the new government needs to provide clarity on its economic strategy to reassure investors, both from abroad and within Brazil. Truesdale told the Journal that he expects agribusiness, timber, and mining, which received favorable treatment under Bolsonaro, to face particular increased scrutiny under Lula's new administration.

Making funding flows fair: Must ESG be bad news for emerging markets?

In this Financial Times feature on ESG in emerging markets, Veracity Worldwide managing director Benjamin Weiss stressed the need for tailored on-the-ground insight to assess whether an investment meets commitments on labor practices and diversity issues. "Local considerations around those things are very different from one place to the next," he told the FT, so it is important to conduct thorough research when working in emerging markets.

Pakistan’s Prodigal Finance Minister

Pakistan's four-time finance minister Ishaq Dar returns to the post after a self-imposed exile in London. A trusted and experienced political insider, Dar inherits numerous crises facing the country; their management will determine not only the trajectory of Prime Minister Sharif's rule, but also that of Pakistan itself.

By Jay Truesdale, Nandita Balakrishnan

Disruption Dead Ahead: What to Expect in Brazil’s Presidential Election

Brazilians will go to the polls tomorrow to choose between conservative incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and leftist former President Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva. A Lula victory may initiate a turbulent transition period. Whoever wins the election, Brazil’s next president will confront a polarized society and economic uncertainty, limiting room for the quick implementation of sweeping populist policies in 2023.

By Jay Truesdale, Mitch Hayes, Nandita Balakrishnan, Eric Cuevas

Lessons of War

Politico Global Insider’s Suzanne Lynch spoke with Veracity Worldwide’s CEO Jay Truesdale about multinationals still operating in Russia nearly seven months into the war with Ukraine. Jay noted these companies are predominantly headquartered in the 47 countries that either abstained or were absent from the vote to denounce Russia for its military action at the UN General Assembly in March. Those based in the US, Europe, or G7, meanwhile, largely pulled out of Russia, reflecting the geopolitical dimension of doing business today.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) announces Jay Truesdale as member of Ukraine Reconstruction Commission

CSIS revealed the members of its new Ukraine Economic Reconstruction Commission, including Veracity CEO Jay Truesdale. The commission aims to support private sector investment in Ukraine by constructing a policy framework to address issues central to the reconstruction and modernization of its economy. Jay Truesdale joins an impressive selection of senior leaders from the private and public sector, bringing with him his extensive commercial experience as well as his region-specific expertise.

Putin Isn’t Backing Down. Ukraine Escalation Means More Pain for the Economy

Veracity’s CEO Jay Truesdale spoke with Barron's about Vladimir Putin’s declaration on Wednesday that he would send even more troops to Ukraine. Jay noted that Putin has calculated that a "cold, dark winter [without Russian gas] will be enough to focus minds" and splinter Europe’s opposition. Moreover, as the Russian president continues to downplay the invasion as a "special military operation," Jay suggested that Putin could further mobilize Russian society by "calling it what it is, which is an act of war."

Leading Global Companies Through Geopolitical Shifts

Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale held a discussion at the Concordia Summit 2022 with Olivia White, senior partner at McKinsey & Company and director of the McKinsey Global Institute, and John W.H. Denton AO, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce and a member of Veracity’s advisory board.

US seeks to bring Mexico on board with plans for chips, clean energy

Veracity CEO Jay Truesdale spoke with the Wall Street Journal in September 2022 about stunted efforts to integrate Mexican and US supply chains in the transition to renewable energy. Truesdale noted that while opportunities abound, President López Obrador’s views on private energy companies have thus far limited their potential and viability.

Steven Fox joins CNAS Board of Advisors

Veracity Executive Chairman Steven Fox has joined the board of advisors for the Center for a New American Security, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank specializing in national security issues. Fox joins Drew McKnight, managing partner of Fortress Investment Group, and Mahesh Veerina, CEO of ParkourSC, Inc., as the board's latest members.

Common sense prevails as Chileans reject a new constitution

Following Chile’s rejection of a new constitution in September 2022, Veracity CEO Jay Truesdale spoke with The Economist about the blow the vote delivered to President Boric and his prospects in the short to medium term. Providing the article’s concluding sentiment, Truesdale noted that in addition to Boric’s rising disapproval rating among the Chilean people, the Chilean economy will stall as foreign investors take a "wait and see" approach until the country can resolve its constitutional crisis – an essential part of restoring Chile’s reputation as a stable and appealing investment environment.

Chile’s Constitutional Crisis Won’t End Regardless of the Outcome

In advance of the vote tomorrow in Chile -- to either approve or reject a controversial draft constitution that would significantly impact businesses operating in the country -- we would like to share Veracity’s assessment of the possible outcomes. Whatever voters decide, our analysis suggests Chile's constitutional crisis could be protracted.

By Jay Truesdale, Mitch Hayes, Eric Cuevas

Emissions versus development debate threatens EACOP

In this September 2022 feature in Energy Voice, Veracity CEO Jay Truesdale provides insight on the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), offering measured and circumspect analysis of a project that has pitted activists against corporations and raised essential questions about how to navigate complex and seemingly incompatible commercial, stakeholder, and environmental concerns.