The economy of Slovakia is based upon Slovakia becoming an EU member state in 2004, adopting the euro at the beginning of 2009. Its capital, Bratislava, is the largest financial centre in Slovakia; as of 2018, the unemployment rate was 5.72%. Due to the Slovak GDP growing strongly from 2000 until 2008 – e.g. 10.4% GDP growth in 2007 – the Slovak economy was referred to as the Tatra Tiger. Since the establishment of the Slovak Republic in January 1993, Slovakia has undergone a transition from a centrally planned economy to a free market economy, a process which some observers were to believe was slowed in the 1994–98 period due to the crony capitalism and other fiscal policies of Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar's government. While economic growth and other fundamentals improved during Mečiar's term and private debt and trade deficits rose, privatization was uneven. Real annual GDP growth peaked at 6.5% in 1995 but declined to 1.3% in 1999. Two governments of the "liberal-conservative" Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda pursued policies of macroeconomic stabilization and market-oriented structural reforms.
Nearly the entire economy has now been privatized, foreign investment has picked up. Economic growth exceeded expectations despite recession in key export markets. In 2001 policies of macroeconomic stabilization and structural reform led to spiraling unemployment. Unemployment peaked at 19.2% in 2001, though it has fallen to 9.8%( or 13.5% as of September 2006, it remains a problem. Solid domestic demand boosted economic growth to 4.1% in 2002. Strong export growth, in turn, pushed economic growth to a still-strong 4.2% in 2003 and 5.4% in 2004, despite a downturn in household consumption. Multiple reasons entailed a GDP growth of 6% in 2005. Headline consumer price inflation dropped from 26% in 1993 to an average rate of 7.5% in 2004, though this was boosted by hikes in subsidized utilities prices ahead of Slovakia's accession to the European Union. In July 2005, the inflation rate dropped to 2.0% and is projected at less than 3% in 2005 and 2.5% in 2006. In 2006, Slovakia reached the highest economic growth among the members of OECD and the third highest in the EU.
The country has had difficulties addressing regional imbalances in employment. GDP per capita ranges from 188% of EU average in Bratislava to only 54% in Eastern Slovakia; the development of Slovakia's GDP according to the World Bank: In 2007, Slovakia obtained the highest GDP growth among the members of OECD and the EU, with the record level of 14.3% in the fourth quarter. In 2014, GDP growth was 2.4% and in 2015 and 2016 Slovakia's economy grew 3.6% and 3.3% respectively. For year 2018, National Bank of Slovakia predicts raise of GDP by 4%. Foreign direct investment in Slovakia has increased dramatically. Cheap and skilled labor, a 19% flat tax rate for both businesses and individuals, no dividend taxes, a weak labor code, a favorable geographical location are Slovakia's main advantages for foreign investors. FDI inflow grew more than 600% from 2000 and cumulatively reached an all-time high of, US$17.3 billion in 2006, or around $18,000 per capita by the end of 2006. The total inflow of FDI in 2006 was $2.54 billion.
In October 2005 new investment stimuli introduced – more favorable conditions to IT and research centers to be located in the east part of the country, to bring more added value and not to be logistically demanding. Origin of foreign investment 1996–2005 – the Netherlands 24.3%. Top investors by companies: Deutsche Telekom, Gaz de France, Gazprom, U. S. Steel, MOL, ENEL, E. ON... Foreign investment sectors – industry 38.4%. Foreign direct investment " on green field" inflows -2003: US$756 million,2004: US$1261 million,2005: US$1908 million outflows-2003: US$22 million,2004: -144 million USD,2005: US$146 million Slovak service sector grew during the last 10 years and now employs about 69% of the population and contributes with over 61% to GDP. Slovakia's tourism has been rising in recent years, income has doubled from US$640 million in 2001 to US$1.2 billion in 2005. However, this sector still remains underdeveloped in comparison with neighbouring countries. Slovakia became industrialized in the second half of the 20th century.
Heavy industry was built for strategic reasons because Slovakia was less exposed to the military threat than the western parts of Czechoslovakia. After the end of the Cold War, the importance of industry, of heavy industry, declined. In 2010, industry accounted for 35.6% of GDP, compared with 49% in 1990. Nowadays, building on a long-standing tradition and a skilled labor force, main industries with potential of growth are following sectors: Automotive, Mechanical engineering, Chemical engineering, Information technology; the automotive sector is among the fastest growing sectors in Slovakia due to the recent large investments of Volkswagen, Kia Motors and since 2018 Jaguar Land Rover in Nitra. Passenger car production was 1,040,000 units in 2016, what makes Slovakia the largest automobile producer in produced cars per capita. Other big industrial companies include U. S. Steel, Samsung Electronics, Fo
First to Fight is a 1967 American Technicolor Warner Bros. war film starring Chad Everett, Marilyn Devin, making her film debut, Dean Jagger, Bobby Troup and James Best. Based loosely on the story of United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant John "Manila" Basilone, who went back into action and died at Iwo Jima; the title of First to Fight was derived from the US military practice of sending in United States Marines first in attacks. The film features an early career appearance by future Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Sgt. Tweed having starring in a breakthrough role in Bonnie and Clyde. In 1942, a force of American Marines are attacked by the Japanese in the jungles at Guadalcanal. Sergeant "Shanghai" Jack Conell is the sole survivor of his squad, when he makes it back to his own lines, he is given a field promotion to Lieutenant and awarded the Medal of Honor by Lt. Col. Baseman. Sent back home on a War Bonds Tour, Connell is reluctant to trade on his heroism and does not consider himself a hero, just a survivor.
When he returns home, despite efforts of his friends to find him dates, he falls in love with Peggy Sandford and the two are married. Her fiance had been killed and Peggy extracts a promise from Connell that he will not go back into the war. For a time, he trains new recruits at Camp Pendleton Marine Base, but is distraught as he comes to think of himself as a slacker and treats his trainees harshly in the belief that they need to be hardened for battle. With a confrontation with Lt. Col. Baseman, afraid for him and his mental state, Connell is offered the chance to go back into the lines, he volunteers to return to the fighting, but with Peggy, now pregnant and fearing for him, releasing him from his promise, Connell finds it difficult to become the warrior he once was. After freezing in combat, he takes charge of his unit and leads them in a raid against a Japanese island stronghold. First to Fight was shot at Camp Pendleton Marine Base, California, in the San Fernando Valley at the Bell Ranch and Africa U.
S. A. Park, a wildlife tourist attraction in Boca Raton, Florida. Most of the equipment matched period pieces from World War II and helped to make the film more authentic. Footage from Casablanca was incorporated in First to Fight. First to Fight was notable in the number of major actors who were featured in starring and supporting roles. Although Marilyn Devin would star in only a few films, she went on to a career as a TV news anchor. Chad Everett appearing as one of the last contract actors in Hollywood was ably backed up by Oscar-winner Dean Jagger and Jazz singer Bobby Troup, Claude Akins and James Best, both of whom would find fame as TV stars. List of American films of 1967 Notes Bibliography First to Fight on IMDb First to Fight at AllMovie First to Fight at the TCM Movie Database
Find the Light is a 2003 TVB historical costume drama, set in the Qing dynasty. Consisting of 20 episodes, it was broadcast from September 8, 2003 to October 3, 2003, in the prime 8:00 to 9:00 pm weekday slot; the theme song was sung by Francis Yip. The series uses dramatic irony in its telling, the two main protagonists being based on historical figures. Following its humiliation in the First and Second Opium Wars Qing China attempts to modernise its military, part of this modernisation being the belated creation of a modern military academy. Despite secretly being a revolutionary Chan Do Yeung is chosen to be principal of the academy and agrees, on the proviso that he be allowed to admit Han students. Among the first intake of students are a scion of a noble family Tam Chi Tung and a commoner Wong Ng, despite their differences the two become bosom friends. Amongst the students is Cheuk Lan, a princess belonging to a cadet branch of the ruling family. Cheuk Lan's father is Sok Yi Suen with ultimate responsibility for the academy, believing that the Empire is a Manchu one, he orders his followers in the academy to make things as hard as possible for the Han students with the aim of failing them.
Chan Do Yeung however takes an interest in Wong, the son of a deceased friend, accepts him as a formal disciple, he stumbles though with Wong's training, for although possessing great strength Wong finds it impossible to use his strength in combat. At odds with one another Wong and Cheuk Lan fall in love, however he is unable to graduate from the academy, instead becomes a caravan guard. Chan Do Yeung's secret is discovered, although willing to serve the sinicized Manchu to defend China against a common enemy, the Manchu have him ambushed and killed. Having found a weapon to suit his great strength, the dadao, Wong Ng arrives to late too save his master but is able to avenge him. Official website
Alfonso "Al" Martinez-Fonts Jr. was the assistant secretary for the Private Sector Office at the United States Department of Homeland Security from November 2005 until April 2009Mr. Martinez-Fonts is responsible for the Private Sector Office, which provides a link between the Department of Homeland Security and the private sector of the United States. After Al left the public sector in April 2009 he founded Al Martinez-Fonts, LLC, a consulting company. Prior to serving in the government, Al Martinez-Fonts was the chairman and chief executive officer for JP Morgan Chase in El Paso, Texas. Prior to this position, he was the president of a bank in San Antonio and served as the chairman of the board of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce in 1993. After his El Paso position he was a senior executive for Chase Bank of Texas in Houston. Al Martinez-Fonts received his bachelor's degree from Villanova University in political science in 1971, an MBA from Long Island University focusing in finance, in 1974.
Al Martinez-Fonts is married to his wife Raquel. He has three children.
Manoel Felciano is an American actor and songwriter. He received a humanities degree from Yale University. Felciano attended New York University's Graduate Acting Program at the Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 2004, he joined the American Conservatory Theater core acting program in 2009, having performed there in Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo and Tom Stoppard's Rock'n' Roll." Feliciano is known for playing Tobias Ragg in the 2005 Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. In this production, all of the actors played their own instruments, with Felciano playing the piano and clarinet, he appeared in the "Reprise" production of Sunday in the Park with George in January 2007. He appeared in the Williamstown Theatre Festival production of Three Sisters in July 2008, as "Andrei" He appeared at the Kennedy Center in Ragtime in April to May 2009, as "Tateh", he performed in the stage musical Anastasia at the Hartford Stage, Connecticut as "Gleb".
The production ran from May 12 to June 12, 2016. His father is Richard Felciano, a contemporary composer and UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus, his mother is Rita Felciano, a dance critic. Manoel Felciano speaks fluently Swiss-German and French, he is part of the worldwide Baumgartner family which has branches in Switzerland and Australia and, known for its creative and successful family members. He lives with his wife and their 4 year-old daughter, Vera, they live in New York. BroadwaySweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Brooklyn Jesus Christ Superstar Cabaret AmelieOff-BroadwayThe Changeling Trumpery Shockheaded Peter Much Ado About Nothing By the Way, Meet Vera StarkAmerican Conservatory TheaterClybourne Park Round and Round the Garden The Caucasian Chalk Circle November At Home at the Zoo Rock'n' Roll A Christmas CarolRegional Anastasia, 2016 Ragtime, 2009 Three Sisters, 2008 Sunday in the Park with George, 2007 Cast albums1998 — Cabaret: The New Broadway Cast Recording 2004 — Brooklyn: The Musical 2005 — Sweeney Todd 2017 — Amélie - A New Musical Solo recordings2008 — Moonshot Official website
Alan Brady was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. A New South Wales representative three-quarter back, he played in the NSWRFL Premiership for Sydney's the Western Suburbs and Canterbury-Bankstown clubs, with both of whom he won premiership titles. In 1929, his first professional season, Brady was the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership's top try-scorer with 11 tries. A year Brady was the star of the first rugby league grand final played in Australia, scoring 3 tries in the match that gave the Magpies their first premiership success. Four years he was a member of the club's second grand final win when they defeated the Roosters 15-12, he scored 71 tries in his time with the Magpies, at the time a club record eclipsed by Peter Dimond. Joining the formed Canterbury-Bankstown DRLFC in 1936, Brady captain-coached the club to victory in the 1938 NSWRFL season's premiership final, giving him the rare achievement of playing in the first premiership victory for two different clubs.
He was coach of the Canterbury side. Bulldogs profile