All Countries and All Sectors

Indonesia’s automakers are investing heavily in increasing and diversifying production to keep pace with rising demand in what is now South-east Asia’s largest vehicle market. Last year, Indonesia overtook Thailand to achieve the highest vehicle sales among ASEAN member states.

Already in the midst of significant growth, Ghana’s IT and telecommunications sectors are set to see increased efficiency and improved access following the finalisation of a new medium-term strategic plan by the industry’s regulator and the arrival of a new regional player in the mobile segment.

The Philippines’ construction sector appears set for a busy year, with the state planning to inject billions into the industry. While the government’s infrastructure programme continues to ramp up, the country’s contractors are looking forward to increased public spending after a slower-than-expected 2011.

In mid-January 2012, Dubai unveiled the details of a massive solar energy facility it plans to build in the desert, part of a larger scheme to meet the energy needs of the emirate and reduce its reliance on imported natural gas to fire its power stations.

With the government having announced ambitious plans to reduce and eventually eliminate the need to wait for state housing, Brunei Darussalam’s construction sector looks set for a busy few years. The industry is indeed already experiencing something of a growth spurt.

By encouraging banks to step up lending to private firms at favourable terms, Jordan hopes to be able to assist managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) obtain financing for growth. With the threat of recession looming in Europe and a general slowing of the global economy, however, banks may be hesitant to loosen the purse strings.