International Markets Archive

South Africa’s economic outlook has improved since last year and set to continue to do so in 2025. Despite easing core inflation, the economy faces rising debt, political instability and a weakening currency. Nevertheless, better fiscal policies and a focus on domestic growth are expected to sustain economic growth.

Despite the darkening economic outlook, Italy is expecting positive economic news in the coming weeks, according to Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, as data on public finances will be published in early March.

Credit professionals often require advanced payment from customers or countries they may consider high risk. However, it is important to review the documents closely to determine if there are requirements and conditions that could delay or void payment if not met.

Germany’s economy is in a deep crisis, according to the Federation of German Industries (BDI), with the country heading towards three years of declining growth for the first time since the nation’s reunification in the 1990s. In the final quarter of 2024, the German economy shrank by 0.2% according to CNBC, with the GDP expected decrease by 0.1% during the same three-month period.

Since 2020, business-to-government (B2G) e-invoicing has been mandatory for French businesses. Starting in September 2026, France will transition to a globally adopted mixed continuous transaction controls (CTC) model, further expanding its invoicing framework.

Drastic political instability in France has already sent ripples across the nation’s economy and continues to threaten the stability of the European Union. Previously France, alongside Germany, made up nearly half of the eurozone economy. 

The Chilean government faces the challenge of balancing growth aspirations with realistic expectations in the new year.

After a strong fourth quarter as the year closes, Poland’s economy is expected to continue to expand in 2025. With economic growth spurred on by increased consumption and infrastructure funding, the economy should remain strong despite predictions that inflation will pick up slightly in the new year.