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The Latest: On January 19 2024, the Office for National Statistics reported December 2023 retail sales data, showing volume sales contracting 2.2% y-o-y and value sales growing 2.4% y-o-y. Of note though, was the m-o-m decline of -3.3% and -3.5% for December 2023 respectively, highlighting the change in consumer purchasing patterns over the

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• John Deere's partnership with SpaceX will enhance rural connectivity for farmers by integrating Starlink satellite broadband into their precision agriculture equipment with the aim of improving productivity and sustainability.
• The partnership will offer a competitive edge to poorly serviced agribusinesses in rural areas which could

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• We expect inward FDI to fall below 30% of GDP in 2023 and 2024.
• A jump in retained earnings were behind the FDI increase in 2021 and 2022, and they notably did little to boost economic growth in Singapore.
• The expected reduction in inward FDI will not pose risks to Singapore’s external balance, given ample foreign reserves and

The Latest: On January 15 2024, Barista, an India-based coffee chains, announced plans to expand its retail presence by doubling its number of outlets to 800 over the next five years. This growth strategy includes a mix of company-owned, franchised, and Franchise Owned Franchise Operated (FOFO) models. The expansion will focus on metro cities as

The Latest: On January 14 2024, Lupin announced that it had received US FDA approval to market a generic version of propranolol hydrochloride extended-release capsules, used in the treatment of migraine and hypertension. The approval is significant as Lupin can offer a more affordable alternative to ANI Pharmaceuticals' Inderal LA extended

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• Saudi Arabia will reduce health and social care development spending in 2024, but the healthcare sector will remain a priority for Vision 2030 objectives.
• Healthcare projects in 2024 will aim to improve service quality, increase system capacity and strengthen preventative healthcare.
• Recent healthcare developments bode well for

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• We expect conventional thermal power to remain South East Asia's largest power sector over the coming 10 years despite formalised ambitions and commitments by markets to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
• The sub-region's markets are confronted with the issue of energy security, with intensified climate impacts and tight fossil

The Latest: On January 17 2023, the European Parliament adopted a set of rules to ban misleading claims and greenwashing, to protect consumers against unfair practices, such as greenwashing or early obsolescence. The new law will include a ban on generic environmental claims such as ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘natural’, or ‘eco’ unless companies

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• Sri Lanka’s economy returned to growth in Q323, and we think that output will rise by 3.5% in real terms in 2024.
• The recovery will be driven by rising household spending, a recovering tourism sector, and increasing investment spending.
• While we think that growth will accelerate in 2024 and 2025, output per person will not recover

The Latest: On January 15, Peru’s statistical agency (INEI) released economic activity data that showed the economy grew 0.3% y-o-y (0.8% m-o-m) in November compared to the dismal -0.8% y-o-y in October. With Peru still deep in recession, this was the first-time economic activity was in positive territory in y-o-y terms since April (see chart