Services

COUNTRY INSIGHTS

The South African Reserve Bank starts the year by holding rates steady
SOUTH AFRICA · Report · 29 Jan 2026

Having convened for its first meeting of 2026 this week, the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced its interest rate decision today. Mostly in line with market expectations, the MPC voted to keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.75%. As such, the prime l...

Costa Rican presidency still a toss-up
CENTRAL AMERICA · Report · 29 Jan 2026

Costa Rica approaches its February 1 presidential election with a tight and uncertain race, marked by high voter volatility and a fragmented political landscape. Polls place incumbent party candidate Laura Fernández at close to the 40% threshold required for a first-round victory, but the large s...

Here comes the sun
BRAZIL ECONOMICS · Report · 29 Jan 2026

There was no surprise regarding Copom’s decision to maintain the target for the benchmark Selic rate at 15.00% per year. It was also expected that the post-meeting communication would unlock the door that had kept an interest rate cut remote, by removing from the statement the expression: “To en...

IRAQ: Trump speaks out against Maliki’s bid to return as PM, while the fiscal crisis deepens
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 29 Jan 2026

* Former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki is attempting a comeback, but government formation stalled this week with Kurds divided on the presidency, and Trump spoke out against Maliki. * The parliament is highly fragmented, between and within sectarian groups. As a result, government formation can ...

Proceed with caution
CHILE · Report · 29 Jan 2026

The November Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMACEC) confirmed that strength in October did not mark the start of a new trend. The pullback was broad-based, with commerce the lone exception, posting only a marginal gain. Our baseline for 2026 assumes GDP growth at slightly above 2%, broadly i...

A few snippets on most recent developments
HUNGARY · In Brief · 29 Jan 2026

By and large, the MNB's January rate-setting meeting on Tuesday proved to be a non-event, as expected. But, please, remain being warned that a base rate cut, most likely by 25bps, may come in late March, provided the usual early-year wave of price adjustments is found to have been completed with ...

Bi-Weekly Economic News Summary
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 29 Jan 2026

Jan 15 Stock market: The trading volume on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) increased by 3% in 2025. Bureau of National Statistics: Investments in fixed assets in Kazakhstan increased by 13% in 2025. Bureau of National Statistics: Agricultural production in Kazakhstan increased by 5.9% in 202...

Pivotal winter of the war
UKRAINE · In Brief · 28 Jan 2026

Throughout January, Russia has been bombarding Kyiv with missiles and drones, apparently hoping that Ukrainians—caught between prolonged subzero weather and shattered infrastructure—will lose the will to resist and pressure their leaders to accept surrender, perhaps wrapped in the promise of a “p...

Upcoming Webinar - Venezuela: What's Next?
VENEZUELA · Report · 28 Jan 2026

Venezuela is at a pivotal moment, marked by both uncertainty and opportunity. With tensions involving U.S. interests, Venezuelan sovereignty, shifting oil market prospects, and evolving sanctions dynamics, what is ahead for Venezuela's political and economic outlook? Join us for our live Zoom ...

Every journey begins with a first step
BRAZIL ECONOMICS · Report · 26 Jan 2026

Brazil’s growth has been supported by higher resource utilization, while the contribution from productivity remains limited. Among the various constraints on productivity in the country, low trade opening plays a prominent role. In this context, the agreement between Mercosur and the European Uni...

Economics: December and January economic activity figures indicate a slight upturn following the stagnation of 2025
MEXICO · Report · 26 Jan 2026

The economic activity figures released at the end of December and so far in January indicate that the stagnation of the first three quarters of the year has begun to transition to a very slight upturn in the last two months. This aligns with our growth expectation for 2026 of 1.1% (vs. 0.3% estim...

The right's agenda in Congress and other weekly topics
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 26 Jan 2026

Lower House President Hugo Motta (Republicans–PB) is meeting with party leaders to define the legislative agenda for the year. São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) is scheduled to meet with former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) on Thursday, January 29. On the economic front, attent...

Macroeconomic and geopolitical developments – Weekly report, January 26, 2026
ISRAEL · Report · 26 Jan 2026

This week’s update is dominated by geopolitical uncertainty, with rising tensions surrounding Iran. At this stage, a U.S. military strike is not a certain outcome, and developments could still evolve toward increased diplomatic pressure or a negotiated arrangement. Nevertheless, the risk of escal...

Kazakhstan macro: ambitious VAT reform to reduce republican budget dependence on transfers, exchange rate
KAZAKHSTAN · Report · 26 Jan 2026

The Kazakh authorities accomplished the fine-tuning of the tax reform with the intent to reduce the dependence of public finances on the USD/KZT exchange rate and oil prices. We mentioned previously that the main emphasis of this reform is not just the VAT hike but also how the tax should be paid...

Cabinet changes, and expectations of greater dynamism this year
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC · Report · 26 Jan 2026

Economic performance in 2025 was weak. But the combination of government agenda prioritization efforts and signs of stronger growth toward yearend has fostered official optimism about economic activity for 2026. GDP growth for 2025 is estimated at 2.2%, less than half the 5% rate recorded in 2...

Copyright 2026 GlobalSource Partners. All rights reserved.