The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has concluded an oversight visit to industrial zones in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The committee assessed manufacturing growth, infrastructure challenges, and the impact of Special Economic Zones on local economic development and job creation in the region.
Argentina's trade surplus narrowed to $788 million in February, marking the lowest level in nine months. Official data from the national statistics agency, INDEC, highlights a shift in the country's trade balance as imports and exports fluctuate amid ongoing economic adjustments.
The UK government has unveiled a £746 million financing package to support the redevelopment of two major Nigerian ports. This initiative, backed by UK Export Finance, aims to modernize critical infrastructure while creating significant opportunities for British exporters in the maritime and construction sectors.
The South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition has confirmed that the country will host its 6th Investment Conference on March 31, 2026. The event aims to attract domestic and international capital to boost economic growth and job creation, continuing the government's ongoing efforts to stimulate investment across key sectors of the national economy.
Qatar National Bank has released an analysis indicating a positive shift in Germany's economic outlook. The report highlights the impact of fiscal expansion and signs of stabilization within the nation's critical manufacturing sector as key drivers for this improved macroeconomic trajectory.
The UK economy recorded zero growth in January, according to the latest official data. The stagnation reflects ongoing challenges, including persistent geopolitical tensions and volatile energy costs, as the nation navigates a period of economic uncertainty. Analysts are closely monitoring these figures for signs of future recovery or further contraction.
The U.S. trade deficit narrowed significantly in January, driven by a record-breaking performance in exports and a decline in imports. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the gap between what the nation sells and buys abroad tightened as global demand for American goods and services reached new peaks.
Leading German economic research institutes have revised their 2026 growth projections downward. The adjustment is primarily attributed to persistent volatility in energy markets and rising costs linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which continue to weigh on Europe's largest economy.
The Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia has announced that the annual consumer price inflation rate reached 2.3% in February 2026. This data provides a snapshot of the current economic climate in the Baltic nation as officials monitor price stability and consumer purchasing power trends across various sectors of the economy.
Preliminary data from Statistics Sweden reveals a 1.1 percent decline in the country's GDP for January compared to December. The unexpected contraction highlights ongoing economic challenges, with analysts pointing to weaknesses in household consumption and industrial output as key factors contributing to the downturn at the start of the year.
The Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) has reported a significant downturn in the nation's manufacturing sector, citing substantial declines in both production and sales. The data highlights ongoing economic challenges facing Argentine factories as the industry grapples with reduced domestic demand and shifting economic conditions.
Slovakia registered the highest annual inflation rate in the Eurozone in February 2026, reaching 4.0%. This figure significantly surpassed the Eurozone average of 1.9%, according to Eurostat's flash estimates. The elevated inflation in Slovakia was primarily driven by increases in housing, energy, and food prices.
Germany's economy entered 2026 with fading contraction risks and inflation returning to target, following a 0.3% GDP increase in Q4 2025. Business sentiment shows mixed signals, with some improvement noted in early 2026 despite earlier pessimism. Domestic demand and government spending are key drivers of this modest recovery.
Germany's economy began 2026 with notable improvements, as Q4 2025 GDP rose by 0.3%, marking the first annual growth after a two-year recession. Inflation is returning to the European Central Bank's 2% target, and business sentiment has improved significantly, reaching its highest level since August 2025.
The U.S. Census Bureau has released the main dataset from the 2023 Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES), offering a unified view of U.S. employer businesses. This new survey integrates seven previous economic surveys, providing detailed national, regional, and divisional data on revenue, expenses, payroll, and employment.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Serb Republic reported a significant narrowing of its trade deficit in January, reaching 120.1 million marka. This represents a 17% decrease compared to the same month in 2025, driven by a larger decline in imports than exports.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Serb Republic reported a significant narrowing of its trade deficit in January, reaching 120.1 million marka. This represents a 17% decrease compared to the 145.2 million marka deficit recorded in January 2025, driven by a larger decline in imports than exports.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Serb Republic successfully sold three-month Treasury bills worth 75 million marka on February 23, 2026, surpassing its initial target of 60 million marka. The auction on the Banja Luka Stock Exchange saw the bills sold at 99.17% of par value, yielding a weighted average of 3.5%.
Brazil's Central Bank reported that the country's economic activity, measured by the IBC-Br index, grew by 2.5% in 2025. This growth was significantly bolstered by a strong 13.1% increase in agriculture, alongside expansions in industry and services, surpassing initial forecasts.
Germany's central bank, the Bundesbank, anticipates moderate but subdued economic growth in the first quarter of 2026. This follows a 0.3% GDP increase in late 2025, with stronger expansion projected from the second quarter, driven by fiscal stimulus and exports.
