GlobalSource Partners | Country Insights

The greatest threat facing South Africa and its future, that is, besides the obvious current threat of the Covid-19 pandemic facing the entire world, is poor governance and leadership misfit. The majority of South Africa’s population that had lived under Apartheid’s atrocious conditions suddenly ...

Germany closes RT and Russia closes German radio station

CIS POLITICS · In Brief · 04 Feb 2022

On February 2 Germany said that RT DE (Russia Today Deutschland) can no longer broadcast because its Serbian license does not authorize it to operate in Germany. RT DE was broadcast in the German language. Germany says that RT DE needs a German license. But why has Germany allowed the channel to ...

Inflation update: A new base year

PHILIPPINES · In Brief · 04 Feb 2022

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released today its new 2018-based consumer price indices, showing a 3% headline inflation rate for January. Although the headline rate looks relatively benign, prices were sharply higher month-on-month, rising 1% between December and January. Most of the ...

Peru's new Cabinet: First reactions

PERU · In Brief · 03 Feb 2022 · 1 response

On Tuesday night President Castillo took oath to the new Cabinet. Of the 19 members, President Castillo changed 10, including the Prime Minister and Finance Minister. The previous Cabinet reached a crisis point when President Castillo decided not to support his Interior Minister, Mr. Avelino Guil...

Budget 2022-23: A push for jobs through construction

INDIA · Report · 03 Feb 2022

One of the most important challenges facing the post-pandemic Indian economy is job loss due to the pandemic. In one initiative, the MSME sector, which employs a large number of people, is being given a helping hand through credit guarantees. In another, job creation is being addressed through a ...

PM Orbán has paid a visit to Moscow this week

HUNGARY · In Brief · 03 Feb 2022

Now that weekly adjustments of the MNB sterilisation rate are off the agenda (at least for now), we can turn to other issues on Thursdays, when otherwise 1-week deposit tenders are held. So our note for today deals with PM Orbán's visit to Mr. Putin two days ago, or more broadly how Hungary's pri...

Arthur Lira and Rodrigo Pacheco talk about the tax issue, President Jair Bolsonaro indirectly criticizes former President Lula, and the public servants' salary issue continues

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 03 Feb 2022

Lira recalled that the House voted on PL 2337/2021, which he believes has several merits, including achieving greater tax justice by revoking tax exemptions, instituting a tax on dividends, reducing the corporate tax, and updating the tax brackets for individuals including reducing or eliminating...

Inflation jumps further and has yet to peak

TURKEY · Report · 03 Feb 2022

Consumer prices rose by 11.1%, m/m, in January, somewhat higher than the consensus forecast, with the 12-month rate rising further to 48.7% from 36.1%. Domestic-PPI rose by 10.4%, m/m, surging to a 12-month rate of 93.5% from 79.9% in December (Graph 1; Table 1).

UAE: The new corporate income tax will have ripple effects across the GCC

GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 01 Feb 2022

* The 9% tax could raise as much as 1.6% of GDP in incremental revenue, similar to the VAT. * A higher rate of up to 15% is expected to be applied to large multinationals, but has not been specified yet. * The change is motivated more by compliance with BEPS than the need for fiscal revenue. *...

Costa Rica: Monetary Policy Report 2022-2023

CENTRAL AMERICA · Report · 01 Feb 2022

On January 28, the Central Bank of Costa Rica released its Monetary Policy Report for 2022-2023 (previously known as the "Macroeconomic Program"). The main indicators can be found in our report. The Central Bank included preliminary estimates for 2021, with better results than expected in some...

Russia's pandemic/political update: war of words in parallel worlds

RUSSIA ECONOMICS · Report · 01 Feb 2022 · 1 response

As the Omicron strain entered Russia, the country’s daily COVID-19 incidence rate soared, having nearly attained 100K cases on January 28, and continued its upward journey quite fast in the days that followed, having reached nearly 126K as of February 1. This was not an unexpected increase as the...

The Supreme Federal Court returns from recess, Bolsonaro addresses the fuel issue, and the presidential candidates continue to make moves

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 01 Feb 2022

The Supreme Federal Court has scheduled a court session to mark the beginning of the year for the Judiciary. The year will begin with a few points of tension. Bolsonaro did not appear for his testimony at the Federal Police last week, disregarding a decision by Minister Alexandre de Moraes. Bolso...

Peru: New political crisis looms

PERU · In Brief · 31 Jan 2022

A few minutes ago, Ms. Mirtha Vasquez, the Prime Minister, resigned. This follows last week resignation of interior Minister, Mr. Avelino Guillen on the back of President Castillo decision to support General Gallardo in the police and failing to back his plan to clean up the police. Although the ...

Tokayev disempowers Nazarbayev even more

CIS POLITICS · In Brief · 31 Jan 2022

On January 28 the president became leader of the ruling party: Nur Otan. Nazarbayev has also been removed as the chair of the people's assembly. He retains the title "Leader of the Nation". However, that appears to be meaningless. Some members of Nur Otan are unhappy at the way January's unrest w...

Costa Rica: Elections critical for the IMF deal and macroeconomic performance

CENTRAL AMERICA · Report · 31 Jan 2022

Costa Rica´s presidential election is around the corner. With a record number of candidates, growing voter dissatisfaction and a large percentage of undecided voters, the winner is still uncertain. Four candidates are struggling to win a spot for the second round in April. Their economic views re...