Publications

Reforms have been made to diversify the economy by developing manufacturing and providing a favourable investment environment. But stumbling blocks remain.

With the oil price well below its fiscal break-even level of around USD 78, the government still faces the challenge of keeping a tight grip on spending.

La lotta alla burocrazia e la riforma dei sistemi fiscali e di sovvenzione sono necessari per migliorare le condizioni economiche e ridurre l'alto tasso di disoccupazione.

Tackling bureaucracy and reforming the tax and subsidy systems are necessary to improve the economic conditions and to reduce the high unemployment rate.

So far the UAE has weathered the global oil price slump relatively well, supported by its increasingly diversified economy and ample foreign assets.

The Chinese chemicals industry has entered a phase of lower but still solid growth, with chemicals demand growth rates still above global average.

Producers are looking to take further advantage of low natural gas prices in the US, which enables the significant expansion of methane-based projects.

Profit margins of British chemicals businesses could be negatively affected by domestic economic uncertainty over the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

Despite a rebound agrichemicals remains susceptible to sudden changes of exogenous factors like climate, market prices and exchange rate fluctuations.

The Italian chemicals industry continues to benefit from a rebound in domestic demand, however fiscal crimes plague the fuel wholesalers segment.

The sector records solid growth rates, but caution is advised with smaller fuel wholesalers and stations due to a grey economy in fuel trade in the past.

The robust economic growth has led to rising demand for petrochemical products, while the rubber and plastics are benefitting from automotive demand.

Indonesian chemicals sector growth is driven by demand from the construction and automotive industries and an increasing population with rising incomes.

The industry remains affected by the slowdown in the country´s economic performance, which has led to lower investments and decreased public spending.

Chemicals production growth is expected to increase about 2.5% in 2017 and 2018 while payment delays and insolvencies will remain at very low level.

Market sentiment is a vulnerability for South Africa due to its current account deficit and the dependency on portfolio-investments for financing it.

Despite the ongoing fragility a GDP rebound is forecast in 2017, and while some industries are expected to benefit from it, others remain subdued.

One year after the UK vote to leave the EU, cracks are beginning to show in the economy. This Atradius report offers an update on the current situation and insolvency outlook.

ICT sales growth is slowing down, and in some segments requests to prolong payment terms and overdue payments have increased since the end of 2015.

Despite robust growth rates, pricing pressure and cheap imports are key challenges in the domestic ICT market, especially for smaller IT distributors.