Insights
Jul-19 Stalled growth in emerging market economies is projected to pick up from a four-year low of 4.0 percent in 2019 to 4.6 percent in 2020-21, reflecting the waning impact of financial pressures in some large markets. Growth in all emerging regions has been weaker than expected but activity in East and South Asia remains buoyant. Other regions are expected to recover in 2020-21. Growth in both Latam and MENA is expected to be a subdued 1.7% in 2019, but MENA countries show more promise thanks to oil exports, policy reforms and tourism. [image: World Bank]
Read More
Insights
17-Jun-19 Trials of a new QR-payment system in Russia are beginning. If the trial is a success, the scheme would be rolled out nationwide, enhancing the country's National Fast Payment System. [image: HKTDC Research]
Read More
Insights
09-Jun-19 China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba and Russia’s RDIF sovereign wealth fund will each invest USD100 million in a Russian joint venture, and Alibaba will contribute AliExpress Russia into the joint venture. This consists of Alibaba's Russia-based domestic and cross-border operations. [image: Retail News Asia]
Read More
Insights
14-Mar-19 Rising Russian and US competition has pushed Saudi Aramco to find new buyers for its oil in China, encouraging a shift towards independent refiners and newcomers to the business, after years of dealing only with state-owned Chinese energy firms. [image: Reuters / Ahmed Jadallah]
Read More
Insights
13-Mar-19 Abu Dhabi has allocated AED0.5 bn (USD136 mn) for tourism marketing over three years. The funding will highlight attractions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros World, and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi project is reportedly also 'still active'. [image: Lourve Abu Dhabi / Handout via Thomson Reuters Zawya]
Read More