Economic Development & FDI Reports 2015

January 2015 Issue

• POLAND |  NEW ECONOMIC GROWTH PARADIGM WANTED

  Although still outperforming most of its neighbors, Poland needs to reinvent itself if it wishes to sustain long-term growth.

• KUWAIT | A RACE FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

  Kuwait is at a crossroads. Despite huge financial reserves, the Persian Gulf state must speed up project implementation to revive a stagnant economy far too dependent on oil revenues.

• SOUTH KOREA | A TIGHTROPE WALK WITH TRADING PARTNERS

  One of Asia’s most powerful economies, South Korea is maneuvering deftly between even more powerful neighbors and allies.

• NORTH AMERICA | CHASING THE DIXIE DOLLAR

  Knowing their target markets helps northern US states and Canadian provinces compete with the southern US for foreign direct investment.

• GEORGIA 

  The global financial crisis and several factors peculiar to Georgia have affected foreign direct investment inflows, but investors willing to deal with tensions and risks will find opportunities.

February 2015 Issue

• SAUDI ARABIA|  REFINING THE MIX IN SAUDI ARABIA

  Saudi Arabia’s budget deficit is ballooning, but a ministerial reshuffle has fueled hopes the kingdom is resolute in kicking its hydrocarbon addiction.

• SAUDI ARABIA | THE THRIVING BANKING SECTOR

  Highly capitalized and boasting healthy margins, Saudi banks are unlikely to feel much fallout from the country’s slowing economy and the impact of low oil prices.

• MOZAMBIQUE | MOZAMBIQUE COMING INTO ITS OWN

  Mozambique is the current star in Africa’s rising inward-investment constellation.

• EGYPT | EGYPT SEES FDI AS KEY TO GROWTH

  After four years of challenges in the social, economic and political space, Egypt rolls out the welcome mat for foreign direct investors.

• COSTA RICA | THE FDI SUCCESS STORY

  Costa Rica has a long history of actively and successfully seeking outside investment.

March 2015 Issue

• BANGLADESH | SHADES OF GREY

  Bangladeshi economic growth has been strong and relatively stable. But the country has a number of business climate challenges that must be addressed before it can reach its full potential as an investment destination.

• ANGOLA | SEEKING A NEW PATH

  As economic growth slows and the country’s financial coffers move from surplus to deficit, Angola is rethinking its dependence on “black gold.”

• LATIN AMERICA | TRADE: A FIESTA WITHOUT A HANGOVER?

  Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru are handling the drop in commodities prices better than the rest of Latin America.

• ASIA | KEEP IT FLOWING

  Inbound FDI was down globally last year, but the lion’s share went to Asia.

• JORDAN

  Jordan is working hard to build its attractiveness to foreign investors, but regional instability presents a serious downside

• FDI: OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS PUT THE BRAKES ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT

  FDI volumes are declining globally, as some national governments take a stronger stance against foreign ownership of their companies and land.