Economy, Finance and Trade

Hungary’s economy continues to grow at a solid pace. Helped by a rise in wages, consumer spending provides crucial support. Exports, which represent four-fifths of GDP, are growing briskly. Investment will also rise, driven in part due to EU-related ...

The economy continues to grow at a healthy pace. Construction and a historically high rate of migration are important drivers. Growing capacity constraints spur investment. Strong gains in exports are another driver. An increase in government ...

Pakistan’s economy will see solid growth in 2018. Spending associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the major driver. Private consumption, solid growth in agriculture and robust exports provide additional support. Fiscal constraints ...

Slovenia’s economy continues to grow at a healthy pace. Strong gains in consumer spending and robust exports – which represent about two-thirds of GDP – provide most of the support. Private investment will moderate but public investment will be ...

Uruguay’s economy is slowing. Both consumer spending and exports will moderate. Investment will strengthen, supported by the launch of several major projects. The effects of a drought are a drag. Structural issues such as an inflexible labour market ...

Venezuela’s economy continues to contract. Hyperinflation and severe structural weaknesses are only part of the reason for the continuing decline. Cash shortages, power shortages and the suspension of lending by Chinese banks are other limitations. ...

Lebanon continues to be subject to regional tensions and domestic political conflict. Moderate gains in private consumption are the main driver. An increase in oil prices is a drag. The country’s huge – and growing – electricity bill is another ...

Growth is very weak, lagging behind that of other countries in the region. The island was hard hit by Hurricane Irma in September 2017, causing significant damage to infrastructure and commercial and public property. Disagreement over Dutch financial...

The Austrian economy will weaken in 2018. Exports (which are equivalent to almost two-fifths of GDP) will see double-digit gains but increases in private consumption will be subdued. Investment should continue to grow as rates of capacity utilisation...

Serbia’s economy is strengthening. Private consumption, a double-digit gain in exports and investment are the main drivers. Public spending will also increase. Unemployment should decline over the next several years but continue to be relatively high...

Ireland’s economic growth will moderate but still grow robustly in 2018. The nation remains as one of the world's most attractive investment destinations, offering an extremely favourable tax regime, making it one of the leading recipients of foreign...

Czech economic momentum has been strong, supported by robust domestic demand and wage growth. Furthermore, the country is attracting good levels of foreign investment, as strength in automotive manufacturing is appealing to investors. However, ...

Saudi Arabia witnessed an economic recession in 2017, owing to cuts in oil production, as the nation remains highly dependent on oil revenues. The economy is expected to grow at a modest pace over 2018-2023. Although its over-reliance on oil ...

The Egyptian economy performed well in 2017, driven by higher growth in private consumption and investment. The government has been implementing major economic reforms since 2014, which have helped improve the nation’s overall business environment, ...

Western Europe is undergoing a period of uncertainty owing to the United Kingdom’s (UK) decision to leave the European Union (EU). Germany, France and the UK play a pivotal role in regional trade, which will be put to the test in a post-Brexit ...

As world trade and investment deals become more interconnected in the context of globalisation, no economy is immune to fluctuations in the global economy. Insights into the best growth opportunities and “what if” scenarios are crucial to ...

Greece is emerging from its crisis period, posting positive real GDP growth in 2017. Greater confidence in the Greek economy is also resulting in higher foreign investment. However, its public debt levels are the highest in the European Union (EU), ...

Nigeria’s economy is highly dependent on its hydrocarbon sector. Therefore, lower oil prices hit exports and government revenues hard. However, as both oil prices and production increase, Nigeria’s economy is expected to continue to grow. Poor ...

The economy will strengthen in 2018. Agriculture and mining are the main drivers. Private consumption will also see steady gains. Changes to the country’s mining code, combined with a high degree of political uncertainty, are drags. The Kamoa Project...

Egypt’s economy will strengthen in 2018. Steady gains in consumer spending and very strong growth in exports are the main drivers. Investment should pick up, supported by an improved regulatory environment. An increase in production of natural gas ...