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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…

South-east Asia may align more with China in near term

Location:

SOUTH-EAST ASIA

A key finding is that 50.5% of respondents would pick China if forced to take sides in US-Chinese rivalry, up from 38.9% in 2023. China continues to be regarded as the most…

ASEAN-Australia relations will grow

Location:

ASEAN/AUSTRALIA

Besides a leaders’ plenary and retreat, there were events linked to four thematic tracks: business; climate and clean energy; maritime cooperation; and emerging leaders…

Turkey’s defence industry is set for growth

Location:

TURKEY

A major milestone was showcased in February, as KAAN, the country’s first domestically produced fifth-generation combat aircraft, made its maiden flight. The aircraft is equipped…

China will keep treating private firms with disfavour

Location:

CHINA

The NPC Standing Committee that same week expanded the State Secrets Law. Information clampdowns denting business confidence undermine efforts to boost the private sector and…

Mexico’s Sheinbaum looks set to maintain AMLO’s legacy

Location:

MEXICO

The constitution prohibits President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) from standing again. However, given his continuing personal popularity and dominance of the ruling National…

Algeria will tightly control private enterprise

Location:

ALGERIA

Since his 2019 election, the president has introduced reforms to attract foreign investment, albeit only to a handful of sectors. The president remains opposed to opening the…

Gulf states: Western investment drive will accelerate

Location:

GULF STATES

This trend was sustained in 2023 with USD23bn worth of investments in US markets alone. However, Gulf investments are subject increasingly to greater Western scrutiny because of…

Solutions struggle to cut EU small-firm funding woes

Location:

EU

This financing gap -- between what SMEs require to meet expansion targets and what they can raise from internal or external sources -- has been estimated at 1.1-2.2% of GDP…

Peru mining plans will bring no rapid improvements

Location:

PERU

A new minister for mines has announced his intention to push ahead with projects which so far have been blocked by their failure to attract a ‘social licence’. Private-sector…