Economy

Plans are in place to develop Indonesia’s nuclear power capacity to overcome the country’s shortage of electricity and ease its dependence on hydrocarbons. However, some concerns remain as to the safety of atomic energy in a quake-prone region so soon after the disaster in Japan, with opponents to the scheme pushing alternative energy as the answer to Indonesia’s power needs.

With many sectors of the economy having performed solidly over the past 12 months, Malaysia is hoping for more of the same in 2012. Indeed, foreign direct investment (FDI) is up, inflation well contained, and the financial sector steady. However, at least some impact from the European debt crisis is expected, with demand for exports widely predicted to ease in 2012.

L’économie gabonaise a enregistré de bons résultats en 2011, soutenue par une hausse des prix des matières premières sur les marchés internationaux et par l’impact positif de la stratégie gouvernementale de développement sur le long terme, baptisée « Gabon émergent ». Selon les dernières estimations, le PIB aurait progressé de 5,6% ; le pays a connu une forte reprise de sa croissance, une fois passés les premiers effets de la crise économique mondiale de 2008-2009.

Political and economic reforms promised for 2012 are expected to improve Jordan’s business environment and restore confidence after a challenging year.

While the floodwaters that submerged much of Thailand’s economic heartlands are receding, the high tide mark of damage to the economy has yet to be reached. A full assessment of losses is still a long way from being completed, but the government is confident of a quick recovery.

High domestic spending and sound levels of liquidity are expected to offset any adverse effects of Europe’s debt crisis on the Saudi Arabian economy, and the Kingdom looks set to maintain its solid growth for the remainder of this year and into the next.