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Growing rice consumption in the Philippines has created a host of challenges and opportunities for stakeholders, as an ongoing lack of mechanisation and post-harvest inefficiencies have prevented the government from meeting its goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency. Although palay (unhusked rice) production has made steady gains in recent years, farmers continue to face high costs due to the lack of technological uptake. This has led to heavy importation, with the current administration recently awarding two high-value contracts to foreign firms for buffer stock supply. Mechanisation, most likely to be achieved through private sector investment, represents a promising means of increasing rice production in the future.

A slower-than-expected rollout of major state-backed capital works look likely to weigh on the performance of South Africa’s construction sector up to end-June, with first-half-year results expected to be comparatively modest.

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) producers and retailers in Egypt face a somewhat mixed outlook in the short term, with limits on disposable incomes and high inflation making many Egyptians cautious about overspending. However, with such favourable demographics, long-term prospects appear more positive as the economy recovers, consumer confidence rises and export opportunities open up.

State agencies and the private sector are combining to promote private pension schemes, both as a measure to strengthen provisions for Malaysians in retirement and to boost liquidity in the nation’s capital markets. However, longer-term success will depend on convincing the younger segments of society of the need to prepare for life after work.

La creciente demanda mundial de aceite de palma para su aplicación en productos alimenticios y biocombustibles abre las oportunidades de desarrollo del producto en Colombia. La popularidad del aceite de palma se ha disparado en los últimos años, en gran medida gracias a las campañas de alimentación saludable en que se comercializa como una alternativa sana a otros productos que contienen grasas trans.

La industria del turismo ha sido un pilar clave en la administración del presidente Ricardo Martinelli y seguirá siendo eje fundamental de la economía panameña en sus esfuerzos por mantener el crecimiento del PIB junto a la creación de al menos 860 mil nuevos puestos de trabajo para 2020.