SOUTH AFRICA: Budget preview – short-term gain, long-term pain?
Ahead of the 24 February budget, South Africa’s near-term fiscal outlook has improved slightly relative to last October’s disastrous Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). This is primarily thanks to exogenous factors, not because President Cyril Ramaphosa’s govern… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username or E-mail Password Remember Me […]
CHINA: Global tech standard-setting is new battleground for techno-nationalism
The Chinese government is likely to formally introduce a new industrial policy blueprint, China Standards 2035, this year after three years of planning. China hawks worry that a coordinated, state-led effort to increase China’s influence in global standards-setting bodie… Become a member to read the rest of this article
Our product principles and development
We are extending our signature ‘Watch fors’ to our new products The sentiment that “the current situation is more than usually uncertain” tends to be overworked. However, currently that arguably is indeed the case. Perhaps on only two previous post-WWII occasions – the 1… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
EUROPE: Managing the pandemic – what we are watching
This updated weekly piece provides snapshots of how selected European governments are dealing with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. Graph of the week Spain Daily cases h… Become a member to read the rest of […]
BRAZIL: Ideology is crowd-pleaser, but electoral pragmatism new normal
President Jair Bolsonaro will talk the talk on ideological platforms but reelection in 2022 calls for pragmatism. There is increasingly little room for far-right policymaking. Stress with the arrest of a Bolsonarista congressman shows the limits of Bolsonaro’s capaci… Become a member to read the rest of this article
ITALY: Draghi’s program – A break from the past
Prime Minister Mario Draghi won his first confidence vote in the Senate late on 17 February, after calling for unity and sacrifices to bring the country out of an unprecedented health and economic emergency. Draghi’s new government, which was sworn in late last week after obtaini… Become a member to read the rest of […]
EMERGING MARKETS: Covid-19 Vaccination Strategies and Challenges
Our Covid-19 vaccination table includes updated information on the immunization strategies selected EMs are pursuing and the challenges they face. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. Please click on ‘… Become a member to read the rest of this article
ASIA: Weekly politics update
Below is the weekly update of political developments across East Asia. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. CHINA: High-level rebuke of energy agency may signal fresh coal crackdown In an unusually blunt publ… Become a member to read the rest […]