GlobalSource Partners | Country Insights

Economic activity continued to exceed expectations through May (+5.2%). Growth became broad-based as commerce, manufacturing, tourism, construction, and logistics contributed to the expansion. External demand remained the principal driver, supported by strong Canal activity, tourism, and the Coló...

China’s pressure point — the banks

CHINA ADVISORY · Report · 30 Jul 2026

China’s economy continues to slow as the property market fails to reach bottom. The technology sector, including EVs, and exports, remain strong but are not large enough to replace real estate. One of the key pressure points in China’s economy is the banking system. For decades, the government ha...

Monetary policy: NBU raises key policy rate to 15.5% in a preventive move amid rising risks

UKRAINE · In Brief · 30 Jul 2026

The NBU Board raised the key policy rate by 0.5 ppt to 15.5%, effective 31 July. This was the first rate increase since the beginning of the year. Recall that in January the NBU cut the rate from 15.5% to 15.0%, signalling the start of an easing cycle. However, no further easing followed since th...

Russian macro: “Reality is not what it seems”

RUSSIA ECONOMICS · Report · 30 Jul 2026

Rosstat recently released its usual monthly statistics for June and 1H26, with industrial data published last week. Around the same time, the CBR shared financial statistics as of July 1, including corporate and household credit figures. On Friday, July 26, the CBR cut the key rate by 25 bps to 1...

Growth wanes as external risks mount

CENTRAL AMERICA · Report · 30 Jul 2026 · 1 response

Costa Rica’s economy entered a slower-growth phase during H1 2026, confirming the deceleration projected earlier in the year. Domestic demand weakened as tighter monetary conditions, persistent colón appreciation, subdued inflation, slower credit growth and softer labor market conditions constra...

Q2 GDP falls mildly short of analyst forecasts but it should not create pressure on government and MNB policy

HUNGARY · In Brief · 30 Jul 2026

Preliminary data for GDP growth in Q2 has been reported at 0.4% qoq, 1.6% yoy, following 0.8% qoq, 1.7% yoy in Q1. So, GDP grew by 1.7% yoy in H1 this year.This actual falls short of the average analyst expectation of 0.7% qoq, but the shortfall is not particularly big. The key thing is that the ...

Bolsonaro’s defense stated he did not authorize the use of his image in the AI video shown during the PL convention, Flávio Bolsonaro will support Tarcísio’s reelection bid, and the PSB endorsed Lula’s candidacy

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 30 Jul 2026

Yesterday, former President Jair Bolsonaro's (PL) legal team filed a petition with the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) stating that he did not authorize the use of his image or voice in an artificial intelligence-generated video shown during the PL convention that formally nominated Senator...

Upcoming webinar - Venezuela: The road ahead

VENEZUELA · Report · 29 Jul 2026

Time: 10:00 AM EDT After Venezuela was shaken by twin earthquakes, bringing a tragic loss of life and destruction, the country must rebuild and try to move forward. How are recovery and reconstruction efforts proceeding? What are the economic and political ramifications for the country? How is...

Bi-Weekly Economic News Summary

KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 29 Jul 2026

Jul 16 International arbitration: United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) arbitration has temporarily banned Kazakhstan from enforcing KZT 2.3 trln fine against the operator (NCOC, North Caspian Operating Company) of the Kashagan oil field until an arbitration decision is ...

Minister Durigan extended the Desenrola program until August 31, Justice Moraes gave Bolsonaro 48 hours to clarify the use of his image in his son’s campaign, and the U.S. extended the emergency that allows for tariffs

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 29 Jul 2026

Finance Minister Dario Durigan confirmed yesterday that the current edition of Desenrola Brasil, the federal program that allows consumers to renegotiate bank debts, will be extended until August 31, the expiration date of the provisional measure (MP) that created the initiative. Supreme Federal ...

Earthquakes expose the extent of U.S. oversight

VENEZUELA · Report · 28 Jul 2026

Since January 3, Delcy Rodríguez’s interim government has operated under an arrangement by which Washington retains strategic decision-making authority and control over oil revenues, while Rodríguez runs the government with autonomy limited to non-strategic areas. The June 24 earthquakes put t...

Momentum shifts: Zelensky visits Washington amid improving US sentiment toward Ukraine

UKRAINE · In Brief · 28 Jul 2026

Today’s meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in Washington was different from what we have grown accustomed to. For the first time under this administration, Ukraine’s president arrived in the American capital against a genuinely favorable news backdrop and amid moderately positive...

The labor market remains tight in June

ISRAEL · In Brief · 28 Jul 2026

Although the unemployment rate increased to 2.9% in June from 2.8% in May, the labor market remains generally tight. For the main age group (25-64, closely followed by the BoI) unemployment remained stable at a low 2.7% with the labor participation rate stable at 80.9%. In June, total job opening...

Justice Marques is the rapporteur for the lawsuit against Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign, the Novo party nominated Zema as its presidential candidate, and the CNPS will meet to decide on payroll-deductible loans for INSS retirees

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 28 Jul 2026

Justice Nunes Marques, president of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), has been selected as the rapporteur for a lawsuit filed by the Workers' Party (PT) against the presidential campaign of Flávio Bolsonaro (PL). During the party convention last Saturday (July 25), the campaign used an artifici...

Challenges remain for Flávio and other weekly topics

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 27 Jul 2026

The Novo Party is scheduled to hold its national convention today (July 27) to formally confirm Romeu Zema as its presidential nominee. On Saturday (August 1), the Republicanos party will officially endorse Tarcísio de Freitas's bid for reelection as governor of São Paulo. Four presidential polls...