Articles

This quarter, we maintain our forecast for 3.3% growth in new vehicle sales across 2018, with commercial vehicle (CV) sales (3.9%) set to outperform passenger vehicle (PV) sales (3.0%).

• Following another year of double-digit declines for new vehicle sales in 2017, we adopt a cautiously positive view on the Omani market in 2018.
• We

The implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s cap on sulphur content in marine fuels will prove majorly disruptive globally. Below we explore key implications for the oil and shipping sectors. 

The implementation of the IMO’s 2020 sulphur cap (IMO 2020) will accelerate efforts to curb maritime air pollution. However, it

Key View:

• In a bid to expand its portfolio, ride-hailing app Grab is partnering with HappyFresh to enter the online grocery delivery service market in South East Asia via Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
• This strategic move would allow Grab to become an "everyday app", used by consumers for different needs and throughout the day, while also

China is set to lead the way on rail projects over coming years, dominating the global project pipeline in terms of both the value and the number of projects. While China is the major hub of rail sector activity, a mix of both developed and emerging markets including the US, India and Australia will offer substantial investment opportunities

Key View: The economic liberalisation of Myanmar has led to an uptick in foreign investment in the country's beverage industry, with Yoma Strategic Holdings announcing its joint venture with Pernod Ricard to produce and sell whiskies in Myanmar. Alcohol consumption in Myanmar is expected to pick up, albeit from a low base, due to rising disposable

Key View: Increasing incidence of labour strike action in the UK and Norwegian offshore infrastructure raises the risk to the timely completion of project timelines as well as the longer term investment attractiveness of the region.

• Unresolved labour disputes raise the risk of disruption to project timelines.
• Further striking and powerful

Key View: Kiribati released the KV20 in July, which outlines the government's long-term development plans for 2016-2036. Although the growth targets are overly ambitious, we see the blueprint as generally positive for the economy. We are revising our average real GDP growth forecast upwards to 2.7% per annum over the coming decade (from 2.0%

Key View:

• Mexico remains a key medicine market in Latin America.
• Ageing population and a rising chronic disease burden continues to fuel opportunities for drugmakers.
• Weak regulatory environment and cost-containment measures threaten innovative drugmakers.
   

Forecasts:

The value of Mexico's pharmaceutical market reached MXN189.68bn (USD10

Key View: Incumbent Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is likely to retain his office in the country's upcoming general election on July 30, presaging a period of political stability and economic reform. While many of the government's senior officials are carryovers from the ousted Mugabe regime, a democratically elected Mnangagwa

The latest: The chances of a second consecutive Czech rate hike have increased. This follows from a July 24 interview of Czech National Bank (CNB) board member Vojtech Benda, who told Bloomberg that he saw room for debate on a further rate hike at the next rate meeting on August 2. Benda's tightening calls were backed by the CNB's Chief Economist