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• Growth in the US medical devices market will slow in 2024, reflecting a challenging macroeconomic environment.
• New regulation and legislation on artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled medical devices in the US will reduce short-term product approvals but provide long-term benefits to the medical devices market.
• Strengthening medical

The Latest: Over December 2023, Nestlé Central and West Africa (CWA) launched Maggi Soya Chunks, as an affordable meat alternative. The Maggi Soya Chunks are a soy-based high protein alternative to traditional proteins and will be fortified with iron and zinc and sold in 100g packs, which Nestlé claims can serve up to eight people. The product

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• The EUDR came into force in June 2023 and will be applicable from January 2025, relevant commodities sold in the EU, including cocoa, will only be allowed to enter the market with proof that they do not contribute to deforestation.
• Commodity-exporting countries and other industry players have argued that the EUDR has the potential to

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• The GCC is embracing AI through strategic collaborations, national strategies and ethical guidelines, partnerships and talent development from the ground-up.
• The policies are light-touch with a view to facilitate innovation and to comply with the EU’s data governance requirements that are key to transfer data between the EU members

The Latest: On October 26 2023, leading South African food manufacturer, Tiger Brands, launched a ready-to-drink (RTD) Jungle Oat Drink range. The new Jungle Oats RTD range is marketed as a functional breakfast or snack and will come in five flavours, each offering different functional benefits: Original – heart health, Banana – brain function

The Latest: On December 21 2023, a letter sent to House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) reported that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) anticipates pharmaceutical companies will increase list prices for new drugs while simultaneously offering larger rebates in response to policies found within the

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• As we signalled was likely in December, we have revised up our forecast for US real GDP growth in 2024 from 0.8% to 1.4% (Bloomberg consensus: 1.2%), following an estimated 2.5% expansion in 2023.
• Looser financial conditions look to have helped growth remain above trend in Q423, with some of this momentum likely to be sustained into

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• Mainland China’s crude oil imports in 2024 are set to rise as the government raised import quotas for private refiners.
• Refining capacity additions are set to support crude oil imports in the short and medium terms.
• Resurgent fuel demand is expected to maintain higher utilization rates, generating upward pressure on crude oil

Key View: We forecast real household spending in Saudi Arabia to normalise in 2024 as spending returns to a more steady growth trajectory. We expect the positive outlook in non-oil activity, through Vision 2030, and expected interest rate cuts in Q224 to support the wider economic recovery and consumer spending in 2024. There are downside risks