What to expect in 2009

Control Risks released its annual report on risks companies can expect to face in the new year. It's no surprise that 2009 is going to be a tough one: The economy sucks, a new president is good news but can also be challenging and Control Risks is forecasting that there is a global spike in kidnapping for ransom.

The report also notes that the volatile financial markets will have varying effects depending on "both a country's exposure and its government's response." Adam Strangfield, Control Risks' research director, noted that "emerging markets as well as more mature economies are not immune."

RiskMap 2009's research said kidnap for ransom has mainly been associated with Latin America in the past but now stories are emerging "from the swamps of the Niger delta, the turbulent cities of Iraq and the ships on the Gulf of Aden."

Overall, not a very positive forecast for 2009. Happy new year.