In the Iran Crisis, the IMF’s Voice Is Urgently Needed
The IMF has been slow to deliver a comprehensive analysis of the Iran crisis and the de‑facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, despite its mandate to safeguard global financial stability. Standard IMF publications such as the World Economic Outlook and the Global Financial Stability Report will lag behind the fast‑moving energy shock, leaving policymakers without timely guidance. The article calls for a shift toward real‑time, scenario‑driven surveillance, integrated rapid‑response reports, and expanded capacity to map supply‑chain vulnerabilities. It urges the Executive Board to protect staff independence and provide actionable policy recommendations before the April meetings.
Oil Waivers Risk Sustaining Russia’s War Effort Amid the Iran War
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a short‑term general license allowing the purchase of Russian crude already on board vessels, effective March 12 through April 11. The waiver follows a similar 30‑day exemption for India and aims to dampen market turbulence caused...
Volatility Easing as Traders Adjust to War
Thai market volatility has softened as traders price in the early stages of the Middle East conflict. The SET index traded within a 1,400‑1,450 point band, while petrochemical and upstream energy stocks posted the strongest gains. Power, beverage and healthcare...
The Middle East Is One of the World’s Fastest Growing Luxury Markets—And the War in Iran May Cut Its Sales...
The Middle East, accounting for about 6% of global luxury sales, has been one of the sector’s fastest‑growing markets thanks to a surge in ultra‑wealthy consumers. Bernstein Research now forecasts a 50% plunge in regional luxury sales this month as...
Iran War Puts Global Energy Markets on the Brink of a Worst-Case Scenario
The war between Israel and Iran has escalated into direct strikes on oil and gas infrastructure, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz and pushing crude prices above $100 a barrel. Missile attacks have damaged the South Pars gas field and...
Iran Is Sanctioning America
Iran has begun throttling oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz from pro‑U.S. Gulf states while continuing to export its own crude to China, effectively imposing de‑facto sanctions on the United States. The maneuver reduces the volume of oil that...
Anti Dumping Duty Suggested on Spandex, Raw Material for Foam Imported From China, Vietnam
India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies has recommended five‑year anti‑dumping duties on spandex and flexible slabstock polyol imported from China and Vietnam. The spandex levy ranges from $794 to $2,033 per metric tonne, while polyol duties are set between $72...
Nigeria Faces Iran War Oil Price Conundrum
Nigeria’s oil revenues are set to surge as the Iran‑Ukraine war pushes crude above $100 a barrel, a windfall for the country’s export‑driven economy. Yet the nation still imports most refined fuels, so higher global prices translate into steeper pump...
Africa’s Strategic Moment: Turning the Iran–USA–Israel Crisis Into Continental Opportunity
The recent Iran‑USA‑Israel escalation, highlighted by Operation Epic Fury and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has halted the flow of roughly 20 million barrels of oil daily, unsettling global energy markets. The disruption creates a strategic opening for Africa...
Hong Kong Should Use ‘Safe Haven’ Status to Draw Capital From Gulf: Agency Chief
InvestHK director Alpha Lau urged Hong Kong to leverage its safe‑haven reputation to attract capital fleeing the Middle East conflict, noting a shift of firms from Dubai to the city. She highlighted growing interest from Gulf high‑net‑worth individuals and sovereign...
Kindiki Invites China VP Han to Kenya
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will travel to Kenya, South Africa and Seychelles from March 22 to 30, at the invitation of Kenya Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and his counterparts. The high‑level tour is framed as a key exchange to...
Selective Outrage Won’t End the Iran War
The UN Security Council issued a resolution condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, labeling them a breach of international law. The article argues the vote is one‑sided, focusing on protecting Gulf oil flows and...
Dangote Demand Soars As War Disrupts Africa Fuel Supply
Dangote’s 650,000‑barrel‑per‑day refinery, now two years operational, is seeing soaring demand as the Ukraine war disrupts traditional fuel imports to Africa. Roughly 75% of its output is reserved for Nigeria, leaving limited capacity for export to neighboring economies. Countries across...
Seoul Harnessing Iran War to End the ‘Korea Discount’
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is leveraging the Iran war‑induced market volatility to push sweeping capital‑market reforms aimed at erasing the long‑standing “Korea discount.” The government announced bans on duplicate listings, which account for roughly 20% of domestic market...
Southeast Asia’s Railway Expansion
China has become the primary driver of Southeast Asia’s railway build‑out, financing and constructing most cross‑border projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. The newly completed Jakarta‑Bandung high‑speed line, a $7.2 billion venture largely funded by the China Development Bank, is...
US Federal Debt Becoming ‘Alarmingly Unsustainable’ as Iran War Fuels Spending: Analysts
U.S. sovereign debt surged to $39 trillion, a level analysts deem alarmingly unsustainable, as war‑related spending on Iran adds pressure. The debt rose $2 trillion in just a few months, with Biden’s administration issuing $4.7 trillion of new 10‑year debt since 2021. Experts...
India Maps Supply Chain Gaps in Pharma, Textiles, Fertilizers Amid West Asia War
India’s commerce ministry has launched a comprehensive audit of critical supply chains in pharma, textiles and fertilizers as the West Asia war threatens global trade. A detailed questionnaire asks firms to disclose import dependence, source countries and the substitutability of...
IDB Invest and BCP Provide Financing to Grupo Tramarsa to Support the Port of Matarani in Peru
IDB Invest and Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP) have extended a combined loan of up to $250 million to Grupo Tramarsa and Terminal Internacional del Sur (Tisur) to fund preliminary work on the Port of Matarani expansion. The financing, split...
Nvidia Signals Comeback in China After Months of AI Chip Restrictions
Nvidia announced it has obtained several U.S. export licenses, allowing the company to restart production and shipments of AI chips to Chinese customers. CEO Jensen Huang said the supply chain is “getting fired up,” signaling a potential revival of a...
Tanzania Tax Review Warns of Trust Erosion, Proposes Sweeping Overhaul
A presidential tax reform commission in Tanzania presented a sweeping overhaul after a 17‑month delay, warning that the current tax system is eroding public trust. The nine‑member panel delivered 284 recommendations, including a formal National Tax Policy, a new Tax...
The Iran War Tests Taiwan’s Energy Resilience
The US‑Israel war with Iran is disrupting Middle‑East oil and LNG shipments, exposing Taiwan’s heavy reliance on imported energy. Taiwan imports 95% of its energy, over 99% of oil and gas, and holds about 150 days of oil reserves but...
China’s Central Bank Pledges Stability in Capital Markets Amid Global Sell-Off
China’s central bank has elevated capital‑market stability to a major task for 2026, pledging to safeguard stock, bond and foreign‑exchange markets amid heightened global volatility. The announcement came as the Shanghai Composite slipped 1.39%, reflecting broader sell‑offs triggered by the...
Taiwan’s New Southbound 2.0: Rewiring the Indo-Pacific Beyond China
At the 2026 Yushan Forum, President Lai Ching‑te recast Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy as a broader Indo‑Pacific strategy that blends trade, technology, democratic cooperation, and security. The forum attracted over 70 leaders from 22 nations, underscoring Taiwan’s push to deepen...
If the Iran War Takes Oil Above US$120 a Barrel, How Bad Could the Shock Get?
The escalating US‑Israel‑Iran conflict has pushed crude prices above $120 a barrel as Iranian forces strike Gulf oil and LNG infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Analysts warn that the disruption could evolve into a prolonged supply shock,...
Shanghai Certifies 30 Overseas Offices Amid China’s Investment Sales Pitch
Shanghai certified 30 new regional headquarters and 15 overseas‑funded R&D centres, including eight Fortune 500 firms. The certifications highlight continued foreign interest despite a three‑year decline in China’s realised FDI. Shanghai now hosts over 1,000 HQs and 647 R&D sites, reinforcing...
How to Seize the $50bn China Opportunity
Western mobile game makers see China as a $50 bn opportunity with roughly 700 m players. Regulatory approval, limited ISBN licenses and a fragmented Android ecosystem raise entry costs. Success stories such as Nexon’s Dungeon & Fighter Mobile illustrate upside, yet discoverability...
Explainer | Why India Is Pushing to Cut Remittance Costs at WTO
India is spearheading a WTO proposal to slash cross‑border remittance fees that currently eat 5‑6% of transaction values. The initiative targets regulatory and technical barriers, aiming to bring costs below the UN Sustainable Development Goal of 3% by 2030. Backed...
Indonesia’s Closing Window for a Demographic Dividend
Indonesia’s once‑large demographic dividend is nearing its end as the youth population peaks around 2030 and begins to shrink. While the working‑age cohort will still grow to over 200 million by 2045, manufacturing’s contribution to GDP has stalled, exposing a mismatch...
Xi Just Can’t Shake GDP Worship
Ahead of the Two Sessions, President Xi released a new collection of speeches emphasizing a "correct view of political performance," signaling a shift away from the GDP‑centric evaluation that has driven China’s bureaucracy for decades. Xi now expects officials to...
Weaker Dollar and Diversification Drive Global Investors Toward Emerging Markets, Says Finnfund
Global investors are rapidly shifting capital into emerging markets as a weaker U.S. dollar and a push for diversification away from the United States drive demand. Over the past twelve months the MSCI Emerging Markets Index has surged 47%, far...
BRICS Is Divided on Iran. So Are NATO and the G-7.
BRICS members remain divided over the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, with China and Brazil condemning the attacks while India stays neutral and South Africa hesitates. The bloc’s recent expansion to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE has...
Reimagining Gulf Security
The recent Iran war has exposed the shortcomings of the Gulf’s long‑standing “protection for sale” model, where security is bought through U.S. arms deals and basing rights. Authors argue that reliance on conditional American guarantees is unsustainable. They propose that...
DA Seeks Fertilizer Supply Deals with China, Russia Amid Mideast Tensions
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is negotiating fertilizer supply agreements with China, Russia, India and Belarus as Middle‑East tensions threaten the flow of nitrogen‑based inputs. While the agency has already secured more than 80% of its annual fertilizer requirement, rising...
Instead of Shopping They’re Quietly Stockpiling Cash — ‘Shadow Saving’ — and It Could Short-Circuit the Global Economy
Chinese households are amassing cash at record levels, with deposits reaching roughly 118% of GDP by 2025, despite falling interest rates. A Reuters poll shows more than 80% of respondents prefer saving over spending, reflecting deep‑seated precautionary behavior. The shift...
China’s Multibillion-Dollar Minerals Investment Lifts Foreign Economies: Report
Since 2023, China has poured more than $120 billion into overseas mining and mineral‑processing projects, covering lithium, rare‑earth metals and battery components. The Australian think‑tank Climate Energy Finance says the outflow fuels clean‑energy deployment in developing economies, supplying inputs for solar,...
Qatar Can Keep Goods Flowing Amid Tensions, Customs Chief Says
Qatar’s customs chief assures that supply chains remain secure despite regional tensions, citing strategic reserves, digital customs systems, and multiple transport routes. The Al Nadeeb electronic platform and recent upgrades have accelerated clearance and increased transparency. Coordination with the GCC Customs...
Why Vietnam Is the World's Most Exciting Emerging Market: MoneyWeek Talks
Dominic Scriven, founder of Dragon Capital, argues Vietnam is the world’s most exciting emerging market. In a MoneyWeek Talks podcast, he highlighted Vietnam’s robust GDP growth, youthful population, and ongoing regulatory reforms that are attracting foreign investors. Scriven also shared...
L Catterton Bullish on India, but There Won't Be Any Blind Bets
L Catterton is launching a $400 million India Fund I, backed by a $200 million greenshoe, to double down on the country’s consumer sector. The firm will target founder‑led, differentiated brands in structurally attractive categories while shunning businesses that chase top‑line growth without...
Turkey Emerges as Revived Route for Iraqi Oil Amid Hormuz Crisis
Iraq announced the rapid revival of the 600‑mile Kirkuk‑Ceyhan pipeline, aiming to resume crude shipments to Turkey and bypass the Hormuz bottleneck caused by the Iran‑US‑Israel conflict. The oil ministry expects the line to be operational within a week, targeting...
No Severe Shocks Despite Crises, Says Sitharaman as She Highlights India's Economic Strength
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Rajya Sabha that India’s economy has withstood the pandemic, supply‑chain strains, the Russia‑Ukraine war, and the current West Asia conflict without severe shocks. She highlighted the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2026, which adds...
Will South Korea’s Epic Bull Market Survive the Energy Shock?
South Korea’s KOSPI index has exploded 138% in the past year, soaring past the 6,000 mark and outpacing global peers. The rally fulfills President Lee Jae Myung’s campaign promise of a 5,000‑point index, turning a bold pledge into reality within...
China Cannot Escape the Energy Shock
China is grappling with a global energy shock that has widened the price gap between its domestic fuel and the higher rates in neighboring Hong Kong. The disparity, driven by lingering subsidies and import dependence, prompts Hong Kong motorists to cross the...
Brazil Steps Up Bond Market Intervention as Oil Upends Rates
Brazil's National Treasury announced an expanded bond market intervention after a sharp rise in oil prices lifted inflation expectations and pushed sovereign yields upward. The authority increased direct purchases and offered additional liquidity to stabilize benchmark rates and limit volatility....
Tony Elumelu to Spearhead Macron's New France-Africa Initiative
French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu to head the newly created Africa‑France Impact Coalition, a forum designed to deepen private‑sector collaboration between France and Africa. The coalition will be highlighted at the France‑Africa summit in Nairobi...
China, Russia Discuss Boosting Transport Links as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Shipping
Amid heightened Middle East conflict disrupting traditional maritime corridors, China and Russia convened the inaugural China‑Russia Logistics Business Forum in Moscow to explore deeper logistics cooperation. The dialogue emphasized expanding the Arctic Northern Sea Route, leveraging ports such as Arkhangelsk...
The Indonesia-US Agreement: A ‘Reciprocal’ Trade Deal That Isn’t
The Indonesia‑U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), signed in February 2026, obliges Indonesia to eliminate tariffs on 99 percent of American goods, purchase billions in U.S. energy and aircraft, and surrender digital‑tax authority, while the United States faces a 19 percent tariff on...
Uganda: Copper Is the New Oil, but Will Uganda Be Norway or Nigeria?
Global demand for copper and other transition metals is set to triple by 2030, prompting a scramble for new sources. Uganda’s dormant Kilembe copper mine and newly identified mineral belts could supply millions of tonnes of copper and rare‑earth elements....
China Funds 9 Border Posts for Tajikistan as Frontier Violence Escalates
China has pledged a non‑repayable $61 million grant to build nine border posts along Tajikistan’s Afghan frontier, covering 17,109 sq m of observation posts and headquarters. The project follows a series of lethal attacks on Chinese workers in late 2025, which heightened Beijing’s security...
Kuwait Returns To The Global Debt Market
Kuwait re‑entered the international sovereign market in September 2024, issuing an $11.25 billion eurobond – its first external debt sale since 2017. The issuance was enabled by a new debt law approved in March 2025 that authorises up to KD30 billion (≈$97 billion)...
Kuwait Opens Oil Gates As Investment Gains Momentum
Kuwait has opened its offshore oil sector to foreign investors, awarding a $1.5 billion development contract to US firm SBL and signing an exploration deal with TotalEnergies while weighing a $7 billion pipeline‑stake sale. The move follows a wave of infrastructure contracts...