Week in Review Archive

Germany’s GDP growth expectations for 2024 are expected to grow only 0.1%, down from a previous estimate of 1.3% as the country is stuck in “tricky waters,” according to German Economy Minister Robert Habeck.

Expanding your business internationally can enhance reach, access new markets and boost profits. However, it also presents challenges like language barriers and unfamiliar legal systems. Despite these risks, the benefits make international business expansion appealing for growth-seeking organizations.

After a tumultuous election period, the Pakistani government now must deal with fallout from the country’s mount of foreign debt. The State Bank of Pakistan estimated its debt to be $124.5 billion and 42% of GDP. Though this is not extremely high based on international standards, Pakistan’s annual foreign exchange earnings through exports show that they are not enough to pay for imports.

An international credit professional’s main duty is to foster customer relationships by understanding their customs, culture, and business style.

Tight macroeconomic policies in Colombia within the last two years are likely the cause of a reduction in domestic and external imbalances seen mainly in 2021-22. The Colombian economy is expected to grow 1.8% as inflation slows 5% this year, and the central bank plans to cut its interest rate to nearly 8%, according to Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla.

While the U.S. economy seems to have avoided a recession, the forecast for 2024 remains mixed. It is no secret that inflation, labor shortages and geopolitical tensions all contribute to current economic conditions. Despite these factors, real GDP growth is expected to bounce between expansion and contraction for much of this year—showing the U.S. has reached a soft landing.

The Indian economy’s recent stellar performance is undeniable. It was the quickest-expanding major economy in 2022 and 2023—and is projected to maintain this lead in 2024.

Four years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers still find themselves logging on from home at least part of the time. Zoom meetings with teammates, once thought to be a short-lived pandemic trend, have remained on work calendars. And these geographically flexible workers report increases in productivity and satisfaction.