All Countries and All Sectors

Even amidst the ongoing unrest in Cairo and a sliding benchmark index, Egypt’s medium-term economic outlook has begun to offer improved prospects, particularly in light of increased activity in key industries. Recent strong demand, particularly for housing, along with growing infrastructure needs, is set to see a medium-term recovery in Egypt’s construction sector. While a slowdown in 2011 hindered progress and has negatively impacted capital flows, work is continuing on existing projects and major deals continue to be signed.

The latest data on Thailand’s consumer confidence shows that Thais are beginning to look more positively on the future, as the government moves to boost growth and restore the country’s infrastructure after last year’s devastating flooding.

With the mining and agriculture sectors performing well and a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project nearing completion, Papua New Guinea (PNG) used 2011 to prepare for an expected resource-related boom over the coming years. Despite some political discord, the country took a number of progressive steps during the year, including the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund (SWF), which was seen as vital for the management of future revenues.

Malaysia has launched a major overhaul of its vocational training programmes, aiming to both reform the educational system to ensure graduates are better equipped for employment in the country’s changing economy and to improve the appeal of trades as a profession for young Malaysians.

While Ghana’s economy as a whole is burgeoning, its manufacturing segment has been struggling to meet its full potential, prompting the private sector and the government to work together to ensure that the rising energy and commodity sectors support rather than hinder industrial development.

Malgré les troubles politiques qui ébranlent le monde arabe depuis début 2011, le Maroc a conclu l’année relativement indemne, sans avoir subi les protestations observées dans de nombreux autres pays de la région, et en affichant une croissance économique positive. Le maintien de la croissance des secteurs non agricoles, les politiques macroéconomiques saines et les réformes politiques en cours ont en effet permis au Maroc d’enregistrer l’an dernier l’un des taux de croissance les plus élevés de la région.