Economy

Un an après la Révolution du jasmin et les bouleversements politiques de 2011, l’économie tunisienne montre des signes de reprise. Selon les estimations du Fonds Monétaire International (FMI), le PIB tunisien enregistrerait cette année une croissance de 3,9%, tandis que la Banque Centrale de Tunisie table sur une progression pouvant atteindre jusqu’à 4,5%.

Driven in part by state spending on infrastructure, housing and social development projects, Saudi Arabia’s economy is set for a year of solid growth. Longer-term predictions, however, are factoring in the uncertain state of the global economy. According to a report issued in mid-January by Riyadh-based Jadwa Investments, Saudi Arabia’s GDP will rise in 2012, with growth forecast to be around 3%.

In late December Turkish parliamentarians approved a budget that would expand public spending, even as their European neighbours begin fiscal austerity programmes. Major increases in public employment and education spending are meant to help soften an expected economic downturn while investing in future growth.

The Philippines may be heading towards a period of economic introspection, looking inward for growth and stability as the shadow of slower economic growth appears to be spreading over many of its key trading partners. The country’s inner strength was tested late in 2011, however, by natural disaster and other domestic concerns.

Last year saw the prospect of Mongolia’s vast untapped natural mineral wealth drive heady levels of investment and growth, with the government aiming to harness the momentum by diversifying the economy and improving infrastructure, employment and housing. However, Prime Minister S. Batbold’s administration will likely face political pressures over protecting the country's resources in the lead-up to this June’s election.

Having long given its support to regional and multilateral efforts to promote trade, Brunei Darussalam has recently been highly involved in negotiations for a new multilateral free trade agreement that could transform the economies of the Asia-Pacific region.