Tag: WIR

The Bank of Israel decided to lower interest rates to 3.75% on May 25, signaling cooling inflation, a strong shekel and optimism at a deal to end the war with Iran. The central bank cut borrowing costs from 4% to 3.75% in its second rate cut of the year. 

Moldova is an emerging, upper-middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on agriculture and remittances, with significant exposure to regional geopolitical shocks. Following an economic rebound to 2.4% growth in 2025, fueled by increased domestic demand and agriculture, gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected to slow.

While expectations were low due to growing international tensions, the United Kingdom’s economy unexpectedly grew in March. Gross domestic product increased by 0.3% month-to-month in March, per Reuters, with a 0.2% contraction.  

The Mexican economy experienced a slow start to the year, contracting by 0.8% in the first quarter. This decline followed a 0.9% quarter-over-quarter growth in the last three months of 2025, according to Mexico News Daily. Despite this slowdown, Mexico’s finance ministry maintained its 2026 economic growth forecast at the end of April, per Reuters, predicting a 1.8% to 2.8% growth in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). 

As conflict in the Middle East intensifies, the agricultural sector is bracing for added strain as disruptions to trade drastically cut access to fertilizers and gas needed for crop production, ultimately pushing costs higher while profits continue to drop.

Today, the Dominican Republic remains one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This year, its nominal gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow between 3.7% to 4.5%, a result of a rebound in the nation’s tourism, mining and construction industries, according to IMF data and World Economics reports.

Already embroiled in a years-long conflict with Russia, the Ukrainian economy is experiencing new stress as the conflict in the Middle East escalates. As oil prices rise in response to the war in the Middle East, Ukraine could see inflation raising by 1.5 to 2.8 percentage points, according to Reuters. National Bank of Ukraine Governor Andriy Pyshnyi said Ukraine’s central bank would remain steadfast with their target of lowering inflation to 5%.

Bordered by Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea, Belize has flourished, welcoming tourists from around the world. Though culturally and geographically attractive, the country’s modest economy is consistent with other small developing states.

As the conflict between the United States and Iran intensifies, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s economy faces headwinds as core industries flounder. As the war intensifies, the market capitalization of Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges dropped $240 billion over the last month, according to Middle East Eye.