Number of bankruptcies increases in 2008 and trend is due to continue in 2009. - Euler Hermes, a world leader in credit and insurance, has forecast a 33% increase in business bankruptcies for 2009. In 2008, half of all bankruptcies in the world were caused by financial restrictions, whereas in 2009, the collapse in economic growth is seen as the main factor. The current global recession increased in the first months of 2009 and is continuing in the majority of countries and sectors. This is the most severe global recession since the Second World War. Although Euler Hermes' overall figure for bankruptcies significantly increased in 2009, the situation does, nonetheless, vary according to the country in question: 1) the rate of bankruptcies exploded by 75% in Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands, as well as in the Baltic countries; 2) there was a 35% increase in the number of bankruptcies in the United States and Northern and Eastern Europe; 3) Sweden, United Kingdom, Switzerland and France saw an increase in the number of corporate bankruptcies; 4) the increase in the number of bankruptcies has been limited in Japan and in Germany; 5) there have, however, been exceptions in Canada and South Korea, where the number of bankruptcies fell (by -5% and -7% respectively). The economic recovery forecast in 2010 will be slow and fragile with, as a consequence, a continuingly high level of corporate bankruptcies. These companies will not manage to become profitable again until 2011. Throughout the year 2010, Euler Hermes predicts further increases in bankruptcies in Western Europe (+3%, following 43% in 2009 and +30% in 2008). On the American continent, however, there will be few bankruptcies but the rate will, nonetheless, remain high, particularly in the United States, Canada and Brazil, as well as in several Asian countries. The overall figure for bankruptcies will be the same as that of 2009. (I.L./transl.fl)