By 2050, over 70% of the world population will be living in cities covering less than 2% of the earth’s surface. Never had city been so challenged and the trend continues to grow. And, this rise to many issues like rising inequality, environmental pollution, infrastructure access, traffic congestion, mobility, safety and health of residents are only a few examples.

Deal-making in the Asia Pacific region continues to gain momentum from its successful run in 2018. Despite regulatory headwinds and macroeconomic uncertainties, cross-border M&A within Asia has remained strong, with a number of big-ticket transactions being announced. Meanwhile, new regulatory initiatives such as the Greater Bay Area (GBA), is driving renewed investor interest into the region.

CDC Group, the UK government’s foreign investment arm, has announced it will invest $300 million in power grid development in Africa over the next five years.

The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank, has recently approved a $995,000 grant to support the roll-out of a sustainable procurement framework for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Ethiopia.

As China sharpens its focus for the BRI, and Mena economies redouble their diversification efforts, new synergies are emerging, making the region the next one to watch for the historic project.

CGA Monthly Bulletin (June 2019)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chaired the 6th meeting of the Reform Action Group held on May 9, 2019, under the coordination of Directorate for EU Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Treasury and Finance, and Ministry of Interior.

The Turkish economy is continuing its rebalancing, rebounding on the back of industrial production, which expanded for the third consecutive month through March. Capacity utilization rate in manufacturing reached 75 percent in April, while employment generated 68,000 new jobs in February and retail sales rose for the third consecutive month through March.

Following completion of its IMF programme, Egypt needs progress on improving access to finance, better management of state-owned enterprises and integrating the informal economy.

Nowadays, some of the pure white marbles quarried in northern Greece – a variety often associated with the island of Thassos – are particularly prized for their heat reflecting quality and are in high demand in the Middle East.