Our regional analysts are constantly speaking to clients and reading headlines from around the world to extract implications on the performance of emerging markets. From the Middle East to South America, here is what our top research talent has been reading in this week’s Emerging Market View:
From The New York Times, an article on Egypt’s business environment:
Egyptian conglomerates are sounding the alarm that the government is ignoring them and focusing too much on political instability rather than the fragile economy. This will continue as long as political instability remains such a serious concern in Egypt. It doesn’t mean there will not be opportunities, but it does mean that the business environment will remain tough and could deteriorate in 2013.
- Matthew Spivack, Practice Leader for the Middle East and Africa - Frontier Strategy Group
Read the article here: Egypt’s Big Business Feel Neglected Amid Turmoil – Nytimes.com
Coming from Ireland’s daily newspaper, The Irish Independent reiterated the importance of emerging market performance:
With $5 trillion to find, the world’s business leaders can afford to leave no stone unturned” - The importance of the growth (both top and bottom-line) coming from the Emerging Markets portfolio has never been more important.
- Shishir Sinha, Research Analyst for Asia Pacific - Frontier Strategy Group
Read the article here: Ben Hirschler: Davos bosses face the $5 trillion challenge
BBC News mentioned the economic implications for smaller countries relying on Venezuela’s oil deals:
Multinationals operating in markets such as the Dominican Republic and Jamaica need to monitor President Hugo Chavez’s fate, as many of these countries depend on favorable oil deals with Venezuela for their economies. A suspension of Petrocaribe would severely impact oil and gas prices in these countries, hampering economic growth.
- Antonio Martinez, Senior Research Analyst for Latin America – Frontier Strategy Group
Read the article here: Venezuela oil deals: Poor nations worry about future
And lastly, for additional information on Chavez’s status, an article from American Exonomia, a monthly Latin American magazine published in Spanish and Portuguese:
President Chávez remains in Havana, and his prolonged absence has paralyzed political and economic decision-making, delaying a much-needed devaluation. Economic distortions continue to mount and are driving the nationwide shortages of basic consumer staples referenced here.
- Christine Herlihy, Research Analyst for Latin America - Frontier Strategy Group
Read the article here: Venezuela: Desabastecimiento de Alimentos Genera Fuertes Medidas
*Post compiled by Hal Olson
