Manufacturing
Gas shortages will raise the risk of unrest in Tunisia
Algeria is supporting Tunisia with shipments of gas, as the country grapples with high demand due to bad weather
TunisiaTalks may change mining sector attitudes to mergers
Rio Tinto, Australia’s second-largest mining company, and Swiss-based Glencore last year held talks on a possible merger
AustraliaFDI will remain modest, amid wider country divergences
FDI excluding conduit economy flows fell by 8% last year, led by lower FDI to Europe and China; Indian and US FDI surged
InternationalNationalism and short-termism will rise this decade
Geopolitics, climate and tech risks threaten a global crisis but economic and societal risks dominate national fears
InternationalSteel closures add to South Africa’s economic woes
The anticipated economic turnaround under the new government has yet to materialise
South AfricaUS policy uncertainty clouds global growth and markets
The IMF has raised its forecast for US growth in 2025 to 2.7% but has downgraded the euro-area, Canada and Saudi Arabia
InternationalSlower China export growth will revive stimulus calls
The economy grew by 5.4% in October-December, up markedly from previous quarters to meet the 5% growth target
ChinaA return to shipping in the Red Sea is not imminent
The Huthis have tied their operations against Israel and attacks on Red Sea shipping to the war in Gaza
Yemen
