Economy

For the Thai economy, 2010 was a year that defied many predictions. It saw the country overcome many obstacles that could have derailed the recovery from the global downturn, though 2011 will surely present additional challenges.

The Philippines ended 2010 with a stronger economy, a new government and hopes for continued stability and expansion. Without doubt, the biggest story of the year was the victory of Benigno Aquino III in the presidential elections held at the end of May. Aquino campaigned heavily on a platform of combating corruption, improving income distribution and careful management of the economy while not reducing spending on social services.

For Brunei Darussalam 2010 was a year of consolidation and building for the future. The economy has emerged from two years of negative growth amidst the fallout from the global financial crisis, and there are projections of better things to come in 2011.

This year Kuwait’s economy has stabilised, allowing the country to look forward to a period of renewed growth and dynamism. Following a 4.6% contraction in GDP in 2009, the picture for 2010 and beyond looks significantly brighter. In September the ratings agency Moody’s Investors Services predicted that the economy would grow by 2.1% and 4.5% in 2011. Much of this is attributable to a rebound in demand, and consequently prices, for oil.

Bien que la croissance marocaine ait enregistré un léger recul en 2010, lié en partie à une baisse de la production agricole, les 12 derniers mois ont été marqués par une reprise des marchés financiers. Couplée à une hausse de la demande en exportations et à une série de nouveaux plans d’investissement soutenus par le gouvernement, cette reprise annonce une croissance continue à moyen terme.

Jordan’s Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOP) has released its Executive Development Programme (EDP) for 2011-13, with JD6bn ($8.4bn) to be distributed among 24 different economic sectors.