Author: Editorial Desk

Shell Chief Executive Wael Sawan has cautioned that any escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran could have a major impact on global trade, particularly through potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz (a vital corridor for global energy shipments). Speaking at an energy conference in Tokyo, Sawan noted that Shell has contingency plans in place should the situation deteriorate further. “If that artery is blocked, for whatever reason, it has a huge impact on global trade,” Sawan said, referring to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a quarter of the world’s oil passes. He also expressed concerns…

President of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), Professor Benedict Oramah, has stressed the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in response to changing global trade dynamics such as the reimposition of reciprocal tariffs by the United States. Speaking during a high-level dialogue moderated by Michael Rheinegger of the Swiss-African Business Circle at the Swiss-Africa Business Day, Prof. Oramah shared the stage with World Trade Organization Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to discuss Africa’s evolving trade environment and strategic partnerships. Highlighting that intra-African trade accounts for less than 18% of the continent’s total trade,…

ContractPodAi, a pioneer in legal AI and contract lifecycle management (CLM), has launched the Leah Tariff Agent, a specialized solution designed to help businesses navigate the growing complexities of international tariffs and shifting trade regulations. The introduction of Leah comes at a time when global supply chains are under increasing pressure due to regulatory changes and geopolitical disruptions. Leah enables organizations to identify, evaluate, and respond to tariff-related risks embedded in their contracts. Agentic AI delivers real-time insights that go beyond traditional risk awareness, helping companies take timely legal action and strengthen their contractual protections. Sarvarth Misra, CEO and Co-Founder…

A regional push to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar is accelerating across Asia, as BRICS and ASEAN economies increasingly promote local-currency trade and investment, signaling a significant shift in global financial dynamics. According to CNBC, the trend is driving currency hedging activity to record levels while challenging the long-standing dominance of the dollar in international commerce. Data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows the dollar’s share of global foreign exchange reserves fell to 57.8% in 2024, down from over 70% in 2000, reflecting growing unease over geopolitical risks, currency volatility, and the use of the dollar in sanctions.…

Pakistan has launched a $150 million minerals processing complex in Punjab in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Anfal Group, aiming to reduce costly chemical imports and stimulate export growth through value-added mineral processing. The project, reported by state media on Thursday, is being facilitated by the Punjab provincial government and Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a civil-military platform established in 2023 to accelerate foreign investment in key economic sectors, including mining, agriculture, energy, and IT. The new facility is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to attract international investment into its underutilized minerals sector. The complex is expected to save the…

The World Bank has lifted its decade-long moratorium on financing nuclear energy projects, marking a major policy shift driven by rising global electricity needs, particularly in developing nations. The change will enable the Bank to fund initiatives aimed at extending the life of existing nuclear plants and accelerating the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs). The decision comes as electricity demand in developing countries is projected to more than double by 2035. Nuclear energy, long sidelined in global energy debates, is now witnessing renewed interest as countries seek reliable, low-emission power sources to meet growing consumption and climate goals. Ajay…

A widening mismatch between property listing prices and buyer budget expectations in Australia’s capital cities is pushing home seekers toward the outskirts of Brisbane and Melbourne, according to new data from Domain. Domain’s latest analysis reveals that in prime inner-city areas, the gap between what buyers are willing to pay and listed prices can reach up to $1 million. In Melbourne, for example, houses within 10 kilometers of the central business district (CBD) recorded a typical buyer search price of $1.2 million—$310,000 less than the median listing price of $1.51 million. The disparity becomes even more pronounced in affluent suburbs…

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that a trade deal with China “is done,” pending final approval from both himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The statement follows two days of high-level discussions in London aimed at de-escalating ongoing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. According to Trump, the agreement will ensure the U.S. receives vital rare earth metals, crucial components in technologies such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and defence systems, while Chinese students will be allowed to resume their studies at American universities. “Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China,”…

The global economy is set to slow significantly in 2025 as rising trade conflicts, primarily driven by U.S. tariffs and policy actions, disrupt international commerce and heighten uncertainty, the World Bank stated in its latest Global Economic Prospects report released Tuesday. Global output is forecast to expand by just 2.3% in 2025, a decline from 2.8% in 2024 and well below the 2.7% growth projected in January. Despite this slowdown, a global recession is not expected. However, the World Bank cautions that prolonged trade tensions may usher in the weakest decade of growth since the 1960s, particularly stalling development in…

Iran has recorded a trade deficit of $7 billion in the first half of the Persian year 1403 (March–September 2024), marking the worst six-month trade balance in recent memory, according to a new report from the Iranian Parliament Research Center. The report shows a deepening economic crisis fuelled by international sanctions and internal mismanagement. During the reported period, Iran’s imports totalled $33 billion, while exports lagged at just $26 billion. This growing imbalance reflects a trend that began in 2021 and has continued unchecked, reversing a decade-long period of relatively stable or surplus trade balances between 2011 and 2018. The…