All Countries and All Sectors

A major policy rethink for Nigeria’s cement sector is set to steer the industry in a new direction aimed at building up an export market and improving competitiveness.

With an election looming and uncertainty over the state of the global economy, Malaysia’s banks may have to work hard to maintain earning levels amid predictions of lower rates of household borrowing growth.

Despite an uncertain political climate and a sluggish economic recovery, the long-term prospects of Egyptian banks are attracting attention from their Gulf counterparts. Two recently announced acquisitions have brought the sector back into the headlines on a positive note, helping offset a recent ratings downgrade.

Predictions of rosy export figures in 2013 for Indonesia’s palm oil sector offer the country a chance to answer claims that it is not living up to its agricultural potential. However, critics say more innovation and private sector development are needed if self-sufficiency and agribusiness goals are to complement each other.

Aiming to reduce both its greenhouse emissions and its use of hydrocarbons to generate power, Qatar is looking to embrace solar technology. This could lead to the development of a local industry with the potential for exports in the longer term.

Japan has joined France, Germany, China and South Korea as a prospective investor in South Africa’s proposed high-speed rail system, which, once built, will link Johannesburg and Durban on the east coast. However, while there is no doubt about the attractiveness of the multi-billion dollar large-scale infrastructure project, questions remain about whether the project will prove profitable for private sector partners unless it is subsidised.