Search results

Russia will expand support to small businesses

Location:

RUSSIA

However, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in the economy, especially in service industries. They also provide a rising share of new jobs. The…

South Africa mining slump hurts ANC election campaign

Location:

SOUTH AFRICA

The timing is disastrous for the ruling ANC party, which faces elections in May with its support already crumbling, in part due to its poor performance on economic issues. Major…

Iraq’s three-year budget will promote state capture

Location:

IRAQ

Parliament on June 12 approved a three-year budget mandating record high expenditure, including an increased public sector wage bill that accounts for a large proportion of…

Congo will push gently to amend Chinese mining deals

Location:

CONGO-KINSHASA

In particular, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has indicated it hopes to renegotiate a USD6.5bn minerals-for-infrastructure deal signed with two Chinese state-owned…

Costa Rica's medical device sector will grow further

Location:

COSTA RICA

Precision and medical equipment has been the country’s largest export sector since 2017. It maintained that position in 2023, achieving 28% growth year-on-year and contributing…

Saudi Arabia’s renewables drive will face challenges

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia has made significant progress since 2021 in developing its renewable energy sector. However, it contributes less than 5% to total electricity output. By end-2023…

Colombia’s new mining law poses regulatory risks

Location:

COLOMBIA

The government proposes banning new contracts for thermal coal exploitation, shortening timeframes for mining exploration and introducing new environmental regulations that could…

Luxembourg looks set to shift to the centre-right

Location:

LUXEMBOURG

Bettel’s centre-left coalition failed to win enough support for another term due to a collapse in backing for the Green party.

I-Soon leak exposes scope of China's cyber activity

Location:

CHINA

This leak included corporate documents and internal communications, and detailed a suite of spyware applications developed by Shanghai-based cybersecurity company I-Soon, a…

Prospects for China’s politics in 2024

Location:

PROSPECTS 2024

The market-oriented, technocratic approach that Li pursued contrasts with President Xi Jinping’s expansion of state control across sectors such as finance and prioritisation of…