Offshore gas industry is set for change and with it, the fortunes of the governments, companies and consumers connected to it. The harbinger of change is the floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel, a technology that will allow producers to commercialise offshore gas deposits without pipelines and onshore infrastructure. A ship comes along, taps gas,… [Read more]
There is no question that China’s economy is booming, with growth spiking to 11.9% in the first quarter. The world’s largest country (by population) appears to have swept off the global recession with aplomb and many an analyst are counting on Chinese demand to drive a new global growth cycle. But is this growth sustainable… [Read more]
I’ve just come back from visiting Syria. The country is certainly on the tourist map these days judging by the busloads of European visitors. And economically, Syria has strong prospects: BMI is forecasting real GDP growth in the 3.5-5.0% range over the coming five years. Politically, however, I don’t see much prospect of change in… [Read more]
When Fujifilm announced a ‘full-scale entry’ into the pharmaceutical sector earlier this year, many market observers were left head scratching. Surely companies should focus on their core competencies? What does Fujifilm know about developing and selling medicines? Who is going to buy these drugs? I, on the other hand, saw the beginning of a trend… [Read more]
One thing which I believe is becoming increasingly likely is a third nuclear test by North Korea. Last May, when North Korea tested its second nuke, I suggested that the entire nuclear dispute had taken on the feeling of one too many a season of ‘24’ – i.e. it had lost the ability to shock… [Read more]
My colleagues in the Global Strategy team at Business Monitor ran this chart last week, highlighting the sharp differential between German export growth to emerging markets and the developed world. Between 1999 and 2008 the proportion of German exports to emerging markets rose almost 10pps to 29.5% (according to IMF data). Over the same period,… [Read more]
In spite of the recent financial and economic fallout, BMI’s Infrastructure Team maintains the view that Greece’s infrastructure sector is one of the most attractive in Europe. The combination of opportunities for large greenfield (i.e. new projects and developments) and brownfield (i.e. existing assets) deals, coupled with a positive track record on public private partnerships… [Read more]
