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Argentina's 2021 budget bill highlights uncertainties

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ARGENTINA

The bill forecasts a fall in the primary deficit next year, mainly due to an expected drop in COVID-19-related welfare payments. The government also aims to boost public works to…

Politically divided Iraq faces a massive economic hit

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IRAQ

The economic and social impact of COVID-19 -- and especially the crushing effect on global oil markets -- comes amid worsening US-Iran tensions. Internally, political deadlock and…

Canada economic recovery from COVID-19 will take time

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CANADA

The pandemic has plunged Canada into recession. Employment rolls shrank from 19.2 million (mn) in February to 16.2mn in April. Although they rose to 16.5mn in May, concerns about…

Pandemic may encourage pharma policy rethink in Brazil

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BRAZIL

Brazil, one of the hardest-hit countries, has a long history of policy and practice aimed at matching universal healthcare with sustainable local supply. Successful technological…

Pandemic to worsen recession and instability in Haiti

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HAITI

World Bank and IMF financial support totalling USD142mn, in the form of grants and zero-interest loans, will help partially to cover increasing external and fiscal financing gaps…

Indonesia will scale down defence minister’s plans

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INDONESIA

Indonesia is the largest and most populous country in South-east Asia. Its strategic importance makes it a key player in US-China competition in the region.

Thai premier will ride out pandemic-related criticism

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THAILAND

The move is ostensibly designed to strengthen Prayut’s ability to manage the country’s third wave of COVID-19 infections, but the government’s opponents fear that it will give the…

Nigeria faces widening inequality and poverty crises

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NIGERIA

With the economy expected to contract by at least 5.4% this year, government measures to cushion the effects of the crisis are unlikely to be enough to stem worsening hardship for…

Kazakh government realistic on oil and COVID-19 shocks

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KAZAKHSTAN

In response to the new macroeconomic realities, the government put on hold the fiscal consolidation plans it announced earlier and allocated 4.4 trillion tenge (10.1 billion…

ASEAN differences will slow RCEP talks

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ASEAN

These talks have stalled over the scope of tariff reforms and conflicting bilateral agreements. However, following the likely demise of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the…