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China’s local governments will accumulate hidden debt

Location:

CHINA

Local governments’ fiscal positions have become increasingly untenable post-pandemic amid a property market downturn. Record numbers of local government financing vehicles (LGFVs…

Tunisia's economic challenges show no sign of abating

Location:

TUNISIA

The economic situation is challenging: unemployment was 16.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023, and work and business opportunities are limited. The government has avoided a debt…

Honeymoon period of Panama’s Mulino will be brief

Location:

PANAMA

Mulino assumed the candidacy late in the race, after former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-14) was disqualified over a corruption conviction. The new president will face…

Australian budget offers modest pre-election spending

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AUSTRALIA

The surpluses seen this year and last have proved an unexpected bonus for Labor and will enable a modest spending increase as the party prepares for the general election due by…

El Salvador poverty will create problems for Bukele

Location:

EL SALVADOR

President Nayib Bukele is highly popular, having implemented hard-line security policies that have reduced murder rates dramatically. He was re-elected in February by a landslide…

Pakistan will be optimistic about its IMF talks

Location:

PAKISTAN

Islamabad now seeks a larger, longer-term bailout programme with the Fund. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has suggested that a staff-level agreement on such a package could…

Outlook is mixed for Indonesian economy

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INDONESIA

A key driving factor was soaring government consumption ahead of the February general election, which included the race to succeed Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo as president, won by…

Macron faces political risks over French fiscal woes

Location:

FRANCE

The government is highly dependent on steady GDP growth to meet its pledges on deficit-reduction and tax cuts. It was forced to implement EUR10bn (USD10.7bn) in emergency cuts in…

Asia ‘ex-China’ investment will struggle for traction

Location:

ASIA

There is sizeable demand for financial assets and products in Asia that exclude China. However, investor expectations that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will not cut interest rates…

China will increase investment in emerging markets

Location:

CHINA

Although its investments in Africa have attracted considerable attention, the vast majority of China's OFDI has gone to Asia, principally Hong Kong and a few financial centres…