Services

NEWS FLASH

UPCOMING WEBINAR - CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA: ECONOMIC UPSWINGS AND POL...

Learn More

COUNTRY INSIGHTS

Ukraine seeks to bring Russia to the International Criminal Court
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 29 Apr 2020

On April 21 Ukraine's prosecutor-general launched an investigation into Russian actions in Crimea, Luhansk and Donbass. Kyiv alleges that Russia has committed crimes against humanity in these regions. These are persecution, illegal conscription, show trials, shelling of civilians, kidnapping, inh...

STF blocks Bolsonaro appointee to Federal Police
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 29 Apr 2020

The decision of the Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Alexandre de Moraes, to suspend the appointment of Alexandre Ramagem to the top position at the Federal Police´s (PF) represents a setback for President Jair Bolsonaro, who had chosen him to replace Maurício Valeixo. In a prelim...

Ramadan in the midst of pandemic
INDONESIA · Report · 29 Apr 2020

The fourth week of April 2020 was the start of the month of Ramadan, the fasting month for the people of the Islamic religion. Under normal circumstances, this is the peak of the business cycle for most companies in Indonesia. Two to three months prior to Ramadan, imports usually surge in order f...

China virus check – week ending April 27
CHINA ADVISORY · Report · 29 Apr 2020

Our latest data for economic activity in China shows: 1) A slight decline in coal use in the power industry and a slight decrease in iron ore blast furnace operating rates. 2) Traffic congestion is up significantly but expressway traffic dipped. 3) A big jump in underground metro...

Bolsonaro selects new Justice Minister and Federal Police General Director
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 28 Apr 2020

President Jair Bolsonaro appointed André Mendonça, who until now was the Attorney General of the Union (AGU), as Sergio Moro’s replacement in the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. His appointment is a compromise. Mendonça has good relations with the ministers of the Federal Supreme Court ...

Bracing for shrinkage of up to 4%
CENTRAL AMERICA · Report · 28 Apr 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is still developing in El Salvador, with negative economic effects arriving on the heels of the government’s tough measures to cope with it. The virus arrived relatively late, with the first positive case recorded on March 18th. That was almost two weeks after the first case...

Oil forecast 2020-2021: near total collapse
VENEZUELA · Report · 28 Apr 2020

Even compared to the current terrible state of Venezuela’s oil industry, we forecast that output and exports will plunge further this year and the next. In our 2020–2021 central scenario, oil output falls throughout this year, reaching 250,000 barrels per day in December 2020 (from 907,000 in Dec...

Russian incomes fall sharply
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 28 Apr 2020

Russian incomes fell by 0.2% in Q1 of 2020. The fall started before the coronavirus quarantine. The decline is partly due to the collapse in the price of the hydrocarbons and the concomitant reduction in the value of the RUB. Incomes are likely to continue to decline in Q2. The small income gains...

No policy change, no surprise at today's Monetary Council meeting
HUNGARY · In Brief · 28 Apr 2020

The monthly rate-setting meeting of the Monetary Council did not bring about any policy change. Indeed, no one expected any, as the existing unusual circumstances pushed the previous meeting, the one on April 7, forward into the position of the month's real rate-setting session, and a large numbe...

Government builds up cash
PHILIPPINES · In Brief · 28 Apr 2020

The Philippines today raised US$2.35 billion from international capital markets, priced at T+180 for a $1-billion 10y bond and 2.95% for a $1.35-billion 25y bond, the “lowest ever coupon” for both maturities per the National Treasurer. The borrowings come on top of some $1.8 billion secured recen...

Prestige for Paulo Guedes
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 27 Apr 2020

President Jair Bolsonaro on April 27 made important gestures of affirmation toward the Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes. In his traditional conversation with journalists near the Alvorada Palace, Bolsonaro was accompanied by Guedes and Ministers Tarcisio Freitas (Infrastructure), Tereza Cristina...

From person-to-person distancing to person-to market contacts: the journey to recovery
PANAMA · Report · 27 Apr 2020

The economic performance of Panama in 2020 may be slightly less optimistic than the projections of the multilaterals and rating agencies suggest (on average -2.0%), according to our estimates. The financing of a 6% NFPS deficit is almost complete, with a small gap to fill this year. We project a ...

The Centrao and Bolsonaro
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 27 Apr 2020

The exit of Minister Sérgio Moro will continue to create ripples in Brasília. His resignation may affect votes in Congress such as the constitutional amendment proposal on the “war budget” and the pandemic aid package for states and municipalities. Requests for the creation of a Parliamentary Inq...

Politics: Covid and the breakdown of federalism
MEXICO · Report · 27 Apr 2020

The Covid-19 epidemic has emerged as the latest battle line pitting numerous state governors and municipal governments against President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, one that is likely to have lasting political implications in addition to potentially magnifying the human tragedy posed by the pand...

Russia 4th in arms spending
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 27 Apr 2020

On April 27 the Peace Research Institute declared that Russia is now the 4th biggest spender on arms. In 2019 Russia spent USD 65 billion on arms. This is up from USD 61.4 billion in 2018. This is 3.9% of GDP which is almost the highest in Europe. Nearby NATO countries have increased defense spen...

Copyright 2024 GlobalSource Partners. All rights reserved.