New UNCTAD estimates show that infrastructure finance is up due to recovery stimulus packages, but greenfield investment activity remains weak across industrial sectors. Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows showed a strong rebound in 2021, up 77% to an estimated $1.65 trillion, from $929 billion in 2020, surpassing their pre-COVID-19 level, according to UNCTAD’s Investment Trends Monitor published on 19 January. “Recovery of investment flows to developing countries is

For two decades, China’s manufacturing and export sector has seemed to only be going one direction: up. The latest notch: A record trade surplus of $676.4 billion in 2021, up from $524 billion in 2020. Overall for the year, Chinese exports rose 29.9% to $3.4 trillion, the highest total value of goods ever shipped out by a single country, and imports increased 30.1% to $2.7 trillion. For the first time ever, total trade exceeded $6 trillion, according to Trade Data Monitor, th

Just four countries—the U.S., China, Japan, and Germany—make up over half of the world’s economic output by gross domestic product (GDP) in nominal terms. In fact, the GDP of the U.S. alone is greater than the combined GDP of 170 countries. How do the different economies of the world compare? In this visualization we look at GDP by country in 2021, using data and estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). An Overview of GDP GDP serves as a broad indicator for a cou

FDI screening measures are still on the rise in 2021, with several countries extending or making permanent their Covid-19-related policies. Investment Monitor’s FDI regulations database summarises the key measures introduced by the world’s top FDI destinations. Against the backdrop of growing trade protectionism, foreign direct investment (FDI) regulation has become increasingly prevalent. Restrictions have been on the rise since the 2008 global financial crisis, which trigge

Global trade hoisted itself back on track in 2021 after a devastating 2020, and will stabilize itself in 2022, according to the World Trade Organization, and an analysis by Trade Data Monitor, the world’s premier source of trade statistics. Fears about supply chains crumbling and consumers failing to get goods shipped to them were unfounded. The $8.6 trillion global logistics industry, it turns out, is robust enough to get goods from any producer to almost any buyer or consum

Hopes are high for a robust rebound in foreign direct investment flows after a volatile two years, with Investment Monitor predicting 6% growth in greenfield FDI in 2022 as many key sectors head towards recovery. How have leading sectors been impacted by the pandemic, and more importantly, what are their future prospects? The editors of our sister publications outline their expectations below. Apparel The pandemic has brought every supply chain, including apparel, under the s

UNCTAD nowcasts show that trade in services has not yet reached its pre-pandemic level, while merchandise trade is projected to have surpassed it by 15%. UNCTAD’s Handbook of Statistics for 2021 published on 9 December nowcasts a strong increase of 22.4% in the value of global merchandise trade this year compared with 2020. The strong growth will push the value of world trade in goods about 15% higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Trade in services, however, will sti

New estimates show that world trade continues its remarkably strong but uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings include: - World trade in goods set a new record of $5.6 trillion in the third quarter of 2021. - Overall, trade in goods and services is projected to reach $28 trillion for the year, a 23% increase compared with 2020 and 11% above pre-COVID-19 levels. - Trade in services shows increasing momentum but remains below pre-pandemic levels. Global trade

Get excited: ‘The Roaring 20s’ report predicts a $1 trillion digital economy in the region by 2030. GUESS how many people began using the internet in South-east Asia this year? 10 million? Way too low. Try again. 20 million? Double that figure and you’ll be spot on. Forty million new users joined the 440 million in the region who are already online, 80% of whom are digital consumers, spending their dollars, pesos and ringgit on fashion, food, transportation, and gaming. No re

The World Trade Report is an annual publication that aims to deepen understanding about trends in trade, trade policy issues and the multilateral trading system. The 2021 World Trade Report explores current debates about economic resilience in a global economy increasingly subject to natural and man-made shocks, and explains how the WTO can contribute to improving economic resilience. VIEW REPORT #trade #globaltrade #economy #asia #asiapacific #development #worldtrade #report

JAKARTA, 3 November 2021 – As of 2 November 2021, the ASEAN Secretariat has received Instruments of Ratification/Acceptance from six ASEAN Member States – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam – as well as from four non-ASEAN signatory States – Australia, China, Japan, and New Zealand. As provided by the Agreement, the RCEP will enter into force sixty days after the date at which the minimum number of IOR/A is achieved. This means that the RC

29/10/2021 - OECD data and analysis show that global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rebounded in the first half of 2021 to reach USD 870 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 43% and more than double those of the second half of 2020. In the OECD area, FDI inflows increased to USD 421 billion, more than twice H2 2020 levels, as a result of significant growth in the vast majority of OECD countries. China was the major FDI recipient worldwide, followed by the United States

The final completion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has moved one step closer after six ASEAN countries submitted their approval letter for the RCEP on October 28, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister of Thailand, Jurin Laksanawisit, said on Monday. Experts said that the latest significant move indicates the final completion of the RCEP could come into effect in January 2022, as scheduled. While the possibilities for the US attempts to di

Beijing has applied to join an Asia-Pacific trade pact once pushed by the US as a way to isolate China and solidify American dominance in the region. China submitted the formal application letter to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to New Zealand, according to a statement late on Thursday (Spet 16) in Beijing. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao had a follow-up call with his counterpart Damien O’Connor, as New Zealand is the dep

TDM Insight: China Trade Statistics Show Supply Chain Disruption. By John W. Miller, Chief Economic Analyst - Trade Data Monitor The global economy is getting back to normal, but supply chains are not exactly returning to where they were before the Covid-19 pandemic. Consider this: In August, Chinese shipments of textiles fell 14.8% year-on-year, off a low base in 2020, to $12.5 billion, and exports of mobile phones declined 24.4% to $7.4 billion. However, sales of motor vehi

KW Group delighted to support Atlantic Canada Chamber of Commerce, Asia Market Development Program What is the AMDP? The Asia Market Development Program (AMDP) is a powerful advisory and consultation program that is helping Atlantic Canada exporters expand their presence and grow sales in new industry sectors and countries in Asia. The AMDP provides exporters with the in-market expertise and network to quickly identify opportunity and connect with qualified customers. Your co

By John W. Miller, Chief Economic Analyst - Trade Data Monitor: China’s industrial sector is headed for a slowdown in the second half of 2021, according to an analysis by Trade Data Monitor, the world’s premier source of trade statistics. In July, overall exports increased 19.4%, to $282.7 billion, compared to the same month a year earlier, below analysts’ expectations. In June, they had increased 32.2% year-on-year. Imports in July rose 28.1% year-on-year, to $226.1 billion,

World business leaders faced impossible decisions a year ago. Initiate layoffs, or wait for government money? Pay rent, or meet payroll? Which factories do we mothball first? How do we liquidate all this inventory? Chapter 11 now or later? Yet even as airlines and retailers collapsed, oil prices plunged below zero and death counts soared -- there were some pandemic bright spots. Pharmas like Pfizer and AstraZeneca have been busy, while Amazon can't find enough workers. And as

Western European countries lead in the 2021 rankings, reflecting the resilience of economies in the face of the global COVID-19 health crisis. Switzerland has come top for the first time in the 33-year history of IMD’s World Competitiveness Ranking, in a year that reflected the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic competitiveness. Sweden came second (up from 6th last year) with Denmark in third spot (2nd in 2020) in a shakeup that saw European economies weather the hea

The EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) has published two papers calling for more progress on ASEAN’s regional economic agenda and linking a durable recovery from the pandemic to ASEAN’s Leaders, Trade and Finance Ministers putting in place specific measures to accelerate work on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The EU-ABC, which represents the interests of the European business community across Southeast Asia, cited concerns about the lack of progress on key elements of AS