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PSST GGOOBI MEETS PROSPECTIVE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS IN UK: The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST),Ramathan Ggoobi has given assurance to prospective development partners in the United Kingdom that Uganda has a stable and well managed macroeconomy with significant growth potential over the long term. He said the...

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Ministry of Finance

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30,494 views • 3 months ago •via X (Twitter)

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Secretary Howard Lutnick on the historic Japan deal: "The Japanese have given President Trump $550 billion for President Trump to direct where and how he wants it invested in America. And if you think about that, that's half a percent of GDP growth per year for the rest of his term, given to Donald Trump by the Japanese in order to build in America for our national and economic security."
0:39

Secretary Howard Lutnick on the historic Japan deal: "The Japanese have given President Trump $550 billion for President Trump to direct where and how he wants it invested in America. And if you think about that, that's half a percent of GDP growth per year for the rest of his term, given to Donald Trump by the Japanese in order to build in America for our national and economic security."

U.S. Department of Commerce

118,990 views • 11 months ago

This man, William Ruto, isn't receiving his followers he rightly deserves... In 2022, inflation was 9.6%; it's now 3.8% in 2025. The Kenyan shilling against major currencies has stabilised—from KES 162 in 2022 to KES 129 in 2025 against the dollar. Kenya's foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of around $11 billion last month. Kenya's economic growth has made remarkable strides, surpassed that of Ethiopia, and become the 6th in Africa from 8th. All these strides, are as a result of bold and strategic measures under taken in the last 2.5 years.
3:48

This man, William Ruto, isn't receiving his followers he rightly deserves... In 2022, inflation was 9.6%; it's now 3.8% in 2025. The Kenyan shilling against major currencies has stabilised—from KES 162 in 2022 to KES 129 in 2025 against the dollar. Kenya's foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of around $11 billion last month. Kenya's economic growth has made remarkable strides, surpassed that of Ethiopia, and become the 6th in Africa from 8th. All these strides, are as a result of bold and strategic measures under taken in the last 2.5 years.

Bianca™

21,883 views • 1 year ago

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially commenced the nine-month performance review for the 2017 E.C. earlier today. The session began with a macroeconomic presentation, which provided an overview of the impact of global economic trends on the local economy, as well as an update on the progress of ongoing macroeconomic reforms. It was highlighted that the global economy is projected to grow by 3.3% in 2025, with most regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, showing positive trends. Ethiopia’s growth is forecasted at 8.4%. As a result of Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reform program aimed at fostering a stable macro environment, both savings and investments have shown an upward trajectory. The external debt-to-GDP ratio has significantly declined, currently standing at 13.7%. Furthermore, the introduction of a new foreign exchange regime has led to increased remittance inflows and a rise in foreign currency reserves. Export earnings from agriculture, mining, industry, and electricity have all seen an increase compared to the same period last year, with the top five export earners comprising coffee, gold, pulses, oilseeds, flowers, and electricity. The review also highlighted notable progress in key infrastructure and large-scale projects. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), for instance, has reached 98.66% completion, with six units currently operational. This morning’s presentation concluded with a review of sustainable development efforts, emphasising inclusivity as a key performance indicator. It also outlined initiatives aimed at creating an enabling environment for sustainable development. #PMOEthiopia
1:35

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially commenced the nine-month performance review for the 2017 E.C. earlier today. The session began with a macroeconomic presentation, which provided an overview of the impact of global economic trends on the local economy, as well as an update on the progress of ongoing macroeconomic reforms. It was highlighted that the global economy is projected to grow by 3.3% in 2025, with most regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, showing positive trends. Ethiopia’s growth is forecasted at 8.4%. As a result of Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reform program aimed at fostering a stable macro environment, both savings and investments have shown an upward trajectory. The external debt-to-GDP ratio has significantly declined, currently standing at 13.7%. Furthermore, the introduction of a new foreign exchange regime has led to increased remittance inflows and a rise in foreign currency reserves. Export earnings from agriculture, mining, industry, and electricity have all seen an increase compared to the same period last year, with the top five export earners comprising coffee, gold, pulses, oilseeds, flowers, and electricity. The review also highlighted notable progress in key infrastructure and large-scale projects. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), for instance, has reached 98.66% completion, with six units currently operational. This morning’s presentation concluded with a review of sustainable development efforts, emphasising inclusivity as a key performance indicator. It also outlined initiatives aimed at creating an enabling environment for sustainable development. #PMOEthiopia

Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia

33,980 views • 1 year ago

Reporter: Venezuela has over 300 billion barrels of crude oil reserves. That's more than any country on the planet. Maduro has claimed that this potential military confrontation is being driven by a desire to control Venezuela's oil reserves. The Trump administration says this is really all about trying to stop the flow of illegal drugs and undocumented migrants, but it can't be lost on US officials that this is a place of potential new sources of oil production, and it's right in the US's backyard.
2:06

Reporter: Venezuela has over 300 billion barrels of crude oil reserves. That's more than any country on the planet. Maduro has claimed that this potential military confrontation is being driven by a desire to control Venezuela's oil reserves. The Trump administration says this is really all about trying to stop the flow of illegal drugs and undocumented migrants, but it can't be lost on US officials that this is a place of potential new sources of oil production, and it's right in the US's backyard.

FactPost

109,770 views • 8 months ago

Dr Pali Lehohla says South Africa’s economy should be 3x what it is, but the government is too stupid, corrupt and greedy. Dr Lehohla’s assessment resonate with many people because because it presents a straightforward diagnosis that if you simply root out corruption and adopt better ideas, the potential of the economy will be unlocked. By saying that it’s just stupidity, corruption and lack of “imagination”, Dr Lehohla appears to disregard how South Africa’s economy is structured. For starters, South Africa’s policy strategy, particularly since 1996 and especially in 2000 with the introduction of inflation-targeting, has relied heavily on attracting foreign portfolio flows to cover its chronic current account deficit. This is what has largely kept South Africa as Africa’s leading economy. The steady flow of hundreds of billions of dollars helps South Africa cover its foreign currency shortages which it desperately needs to trade in international markets. Now, to keep these financial inflows coming, National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank must prioritise high real interest rates and financial market stability to reassure foreign bondholders that SA is a safe space for their dollars, pounds and euros. Although these high interest rates attract foreign bond buyers, they also make borrowing expensive for local businesses, which stifles job creation, hence SA’s high unemployment rate. To National Treasury and the Reserve Bank, these are just the costs of doing business. The point is that contrary to popular belief, the Treasury isn’t acting out of ignorance or lack of vision. They are aware that if they were to deviate too sharply to pursue aggressive growth policies, they would risk a currency collapse, soaring inflation and other quite serious economic problems they would rather not deal with. Someone may argue that adopting these policies all those years ago in the first place *is* the stupidity Dr Lehohla is lamenting. This may very well be the case, but still, there were reasons beyond just a lack of imagination. For one, when the original GNU took office in 1994, it inherited an economy that had been isolated by sanctions, burdened by high public debt and severely capital-starved. The South African Reserve Bank had virtually no foreign exchange reserves to defend the currency or finance international trade. The SARB had no reserves because its senior officials had pilfered and looted the money when it started looking apparent that the White minority government would collapse. Because of this, South Africa had gone from an economy designed to comfortably serve 10% of the population, to one that had to service tens of millions more overnight. But the internal savings were far too low to finance the massive infrastructure and industrial development needed for this. To grow the economy and meet these new social goals, South Africa needed to import capital equipment and consumer goods. However, the country needed to importing far more than it was exporting which created a persistent current account deficit and without domestic savings to bridge the gap, the government had to desperately attract foreign capital. That’s how the foreign investors came swooping in. But there was also something that happened in the early 1990s that spooked the ANC and convinced leadership at National Treasury and the Reserve Bank that the country was hyper-vulnerable to foreign currency shortages. In early 1996, South Africa experienced a sudden capital outflow when rumours and market uncertainty caused foreign investors to pull short-term capital out of the country. As a result, the Rand depreciated by over 20% in a few months and because official foreign exchange reserves were so low, the Reserve Bank was powerless to defend the currency. So, to prevent currency collapses that would spark runaway inflation and destroy purchasing power, the government concluded it had to prioritise foreign investor confidence above everything else. So, in response to the 1996 crisis, the ANC shifted away from the state-led Redistribution and Development Programme and introduced GEAR which committed the country to the public budget and removing foreign exchange controls to reassure foreign investors that they could move their money in and out freely. In short, South Africa adopted the current way of doing things as a deliberate strategy to solve the fundamental dilemma of how to finance a growing, open economy with insufficient domestic savings and low foreign exchange reserves. Now, to be fair to Dr Lehohla, he could be saying they were stupid and spineless for caving to foreign pressure when they could have stood their ground and doubled down on state-led industrial development. In which case, I tend to agree. I would go a bit further and say what Treasury is doing may have been a necessity in 1996, but was already unnecessary by 2006, let alone in 2026. South Africa now has $75 to 80 billion in gross reserves vs. almost zero in 1996. So, the original scarcity rationale is diminished. Yet Treasury has continuously been running an austerity programme, even during commodity booms like in the 2000s when it could have built fiscal buffers and invested in infrastructure. So Dr Lehohla’s lack of imagination accusation appears to land when you ask *why* the ANC government never adapted its strategy throughout the decades as conditions changed. The answer to this question is disheartening. The reality is that if the government, through Treasury, were to attempt to change its economic trajectory, what happened in 1996 would repeat. Vested interests would pull capital, short the rand, spread negative news and systematically suffocate the economy until the government falls back in line. Still, Dr Lehohla is correct that the ANC has been stupid for a while. In the last twenty years they could have built countervailing power like through a sovereign wealth fund, a regional payment system outside dollar dominance, strategic reserves of essentials or diversified trading partners to reduce USD dependency. Instead, they accepted dependence on short-term foreign dollars, which is why they now have to keep going back to the IMF and World Bank to borrow more of those dollars. Similarly, the National Treasury has internalised the market’s preferences so completely that they now believe austerity is good policy instead of coercion. As Antonio Gramsci warned, the dominant ideology has now become common sense.
1:15

Dr Pali Lehohla says South Africa’s economy should be 3x what it is, but the government is too stupid, corrupt and greedy. Dr Lehohla’s assessment resonate with many people because because it presents a straightforward diagnosis that if you simply root out corruption and adopt better ideas, the potential of the economy will be unlocked. By saying that it’s just stupidity, corruption and lack of “imagination”, Dr Lehohla appears to disregard how South Africa’s economy is structured. For starters, South Africa’s policy strategy, particularly since 1996 and especially in 2000 with the introduction of inflation-targeting, has relied heavily on attracting foreign portfolio flows to cover its chronic current account deficit. This is what has largely kept South Africa as Africa’s leading economy. The steady flow of hundreds of billions of dollars helps South Africa cover its foreign currency shortages which it desperately needs to trade in international markets. Now, to keep these financial inflows coming, National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank must prioritise high real interest rates and financial market stability to reassure foreign bondholders that SA is a safe space for their dollars, pounds and euros. Although these high interest rates attract foreign bond buyers, they also make borrowing expensive for local businesses, which stifles job creation, hence SA’s high unemployment rate. To National Treasury and the Reserve Bank, these are just the costs of doing business. The point is that contrary to popular belief, the Treasury isn’t acting out of ignorance or lack of vision. They are aware that if they were to deviate too sharply to pursue aggressive growth policies, they would risk a currency collapse, soaring inflation and other quite serious economic problems they would rather not deal with. Someone may argue that adopting these policies all those years ago in the first place *is* the stupidity Dr Lehohla is lamenting. This may very well be the case, but still, there were reasons beyond just a lack of imagination. For one, when the original GNU took office in 1994, it inherited an economy that had been isolated by sanctions, burdened by high public debt and severely capital-starved. The South African Reserve Bank had virtually no foreign exchange reserves to defend the currency or finance international trade. The SARB had no reserves because its senior officials had pilfered and looted the money when it started looking apparent that the White minority government would collapse. Because of this, South Africa had gone from an economy designed to comfortably serve 10% of the population, to one that had to service tens of millions more overnight. But the internal savings were far too low to finance the massive infrastructure and industrial development needed for this. To grow the economy and meet these new social goals, South Africa needed to import capital equipment and consumer goods. However, the country needed to importing far more than it was exporting which created a persistent current account deficit and without domestic savings to bridge the gap, the government had to desperately attract foreign capital. That’s how the foreign investors came swooping in. But there was also something that happened in the early 1990s that spooked the ANC and convinced leadership at National Treasury and the Reserve Bank that the country was hyper-vulnerable to foreign currency shortages. In early 1996, South Africa experienced a sudden capital outflow when rumours and market uncertainty caused foreign investors to pull short-term capital out of the country. As a result, the Rand depreciated by over 20% in a few months and because official foreign exchange reserves were so low, the Reserve Bank was powerless to defend the currency. So, to prevent currency collapses that would spark runaway inflation and destroy purchasing power, the government concluded it had to prioritise foreign investor confidence above everything else. So, in response to the 1996 crisis, the ANC shifted away from the state-led Redistribution and Development Programme and introduced GEAR which committed the country to the public budget and removing foreign exchange controls to reassure foreign investors that they could move their money in and out freely. In short, South Africa adopted the current way of doing things as a deliberate strategy to solve the fundamental dilemma of how to finance a growing, open economy with insufficient domestic savings and low foreign exchange reserves. Now, to be fair to Dr Lehohla, he could be saying they were stupid and spineless for caving to foreign pressure when they could have stood their ground and doubled down on state-led industrial development. In which case, I tend to agree. I would go a bit further and say what Treasury is doing may have been a necessity in 1996, but was already unnecessary by 2006, let alone in 2026. South Africa now has $75 to 80 billion in gross reserves vs. almost zero in 1996. So, the original scarcity rationale is diminished. Yet Treasury has continuously been running an austerity programme, even during commodity booms like in the 2000s when it could have built fiscal buffers and invested in infrastructure. So Dr Lehohla’s lack of imagination accusation appears to land when you ask *why* the ANC government never adapted its strategy throughout the decades as conditions changed. The answer to this question is disheartening. The reality is that if the government, through Treasury, were to attempt to change its economic trajectory, what happened in 1996 would repeat. Vested interests would pull capital, short the rand, spread negative news and systematically suffocate the economy until the government falls back in line. Still, Dr Lehohla is correct that the ANC has been stupid for a while. In the last twenty years they could have built countervailing power like through a sovereign wealth fund, a regional payment system outside dollar dominance, strategic reserves of essentials or diversified trading partners to reduce USD dependency. Instead, they accepted dependence on short-term foreign dollars, which is why they now have to keep going back to the IMF and World Bank to borrow more of those dollars. Similarly, the National Treasury has internalised the market’s preferences so completely that they now believe austerity is good policy instead of coercion. As Antonio Gramsci warned, the dominant ideology has now become common sense.

Sizwe SikaMusi

22,016 views • 8 days ago

"DeepSeek has lit a fire under global investors." Ben Simpfendorfer, partner and supply chain expert at #OliverWyman in #HongKong, said in an interview with China Daily. He noted that China's AI + strategy is about wiring artificial intelligence throughout the entire economy. With its vast market, vast manufacturing sector and state-led strategy, the development of China's #AI industry will drive long-term growth higher. #GrowwithChina #DeepSeek
1:42

"DeepSeek has lit a fire under global investors." Ben Simpfendorfer, partner and supply chain expert at #OliverWyman in #HongKong, said in an interview with China Daily. He noted that China's AI + strategy is about wiring artificial intelligence throughout the entire economy. With its vast market, vast manufacturing sector and state-led strategy, the development of China's #AI industry will drive long-term growth higher. #GrowwithChina #DeepSeek

China Daily

63,522 views • 1 year ago

Counselor to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Joseph Lavorgna: If you look at capital spending, it grew over 15% in the first half of the year... we saw good growth in industrial equipment, transportation, and that was the result of the fact that the [One Big Beautiful] bill was written to make capital spending retroactive to inauguration day, so that spending has accelerated. We saw the new orders component in the ISM the other day improve. The widely followed Atlanta Fed GDP is forecasting 3.5% GDP growth. And that’s after a 3% plus gain in the last quarter. So, the trajectory of growth is very solid.
0:37

Counselor to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Joseph Lavorgna: If you look at capital spending, it grew over 15% in the first half of the year... we saw good growth in industrial equipment, transportation, and that was the result of the fact that the [One Big Beautiful] bill was written to make capital spending retroactive to inauguration day, so that spending has accelerated. We saw the new orders component in the ISM the other day improve. The widely followed Atlanta Fed GDP is forecasting 3.5% GDP growth. And that’s after a 3% plus gain in the last quarter. So, the trajectory of growth is very solid.

Treasury Department

49,825 views • 11 months ago

🚨🇵🇰📉Pakistan's financial situation is facing a serious crisis, with the country's total debt now reaching 80 trillion rupees, including 36 trillion in external debt, which is linked to the exchange rate of the US dollar. Chief Minister Suhail Afridi stated that most of these external loans have been provided by the IMF, the World Bank, & the Asian Development Bank. Around 70% of Pakistan’s $20 billion in foreign reserves consist of debt or aid from friendly countries. He warned that if these countries demand repayment, the artificially maintained exchange rate of 280 rupees per dollar could surpass 400. Declining exports, heavy debt, & reliance on foreign aid have put Pakistan’s economic stability at serious risk.
3:35

🚨🇵🇰📉Pakistan's financial situation is facing a serious crisis, with the country's total debt now reaching 80 trillion rupees, including 36 trillion in external debt, which is linked to the exchange rate of the US dollar. Chief Minister Suhail Afridi stated that most of these external loans have been provided by the IMF, the World Bank, & the Asian Development Bank. Around 70% of Pakistan’s $20 billion in foreign reserves consist of debt or aid from friendly countries. He warned that if these countries demand repayment, the artificially maintained exchange rate of 280 rupees per dollar could surpass 400. Declining exports, heavy debt, & reliance on foreign aid have put Pakistan’s economic stability at serious risk.

Afghanistan Defense

96,268 views • 7 months ago

[WATCH] We will focus on implementation and delivery. Specifically, we have identified 10 priority interventions to reignite growth in our economy: 1 The first intervention is to use electricity tariffs and investment in transmission infrastructure to drive economic activity. 2 The second intervention is to accelerate the recovery of our freight and logistics sector. 3 The third intervention is to rebuild our chrome and manganese industries. 4 The NEC resolved that the fourth intervention must be to improve the capacity of the state to manage major projects. 5 The fifth intervention is to drive local economic development and investment in local infrastructure. 6 The sixth intervention focuses on labour activation initiatives as well as public employment. 7 The seventh intervention agreed by the NEC is to expand SMME support and investment by Development Finance Institutions. 8 The eighth intervention is to enable the growth of provincial economies outside of the main economic centres. 9 The ninth intervention is to accelerate the diversification of our trade partners, strengthen our participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area and address the impact of tariff and non-tariff barriers. 10 The tenth and final intervention is to ensure effective budget and macroeconomic coordination. #LeadUsRamaphosa #ANCEconomicActionPlan
2:22

[WATCH] We will focus on implementation and delivery. Specifically, we have identified 10 priority interventions to reignite growth in our economy: 1 The first intervention is to use electricity tariffs and investment in transmission infrastructure to drive economic activity. 2 The second intervention is to accelerate the recovery of our freight and logistics sector. 3 The third intervention is to rebuild our chrome and manganese industries. 4 The NEC resolved that the fourth intervention must be to improve the capacity of the state to manage major projects. 5 The fifth intervention is to drive local economic development and investment in local infrastructure. 6 The sixth intervention focuses on labour activation initiatives as well as public employment. 7 The seventh intervention agreed by the NEC is to expand SMME support and investment by Development Finance Institutions. 8 The eighth intervention is to enable the growth of provincial economies outside of the main economic centres. 9 The ninth intervention is to accelerate the diversification of our trade partners, strengthen our participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area and address the impact of tariff and non-tariff barriers. 10 The tenth and final intervention is to ensure effective budget and macroeconomic coordination. #LeadUsRamaphosa #ANCEconomicActionPlan

ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula

73,321 views • 10 months ago

Look at the numbers. The amount of damage done in the last 10 years across every metric you want to measure, is catastrophic. The collapse of growth in Canada from a GDP basis, the collapse of invested capital in the country, debt per capita, foreign investment invested per capita, completely chaotic immigration policy, policy around resources and energy that basically crushed the competitiveness. There is no number you can measure during the mandate of Trudeau and Freeland that isn't a complete collapse.
0:20

Look at the numbers. The amount of damage done in the last 10 years across every metric you want to measure, is catastrophic. The collapse of growth in Canada from a GDP basis, the collapse of invested capital in the country, debt per capita, foreign investment invested per capita, completely chaotic immigration policy, policy around resources and energy that basically crushed the competitiveness. There is no number you can measure during the mandate of Trudeau and Freeland that isn't a complete collapse.

Kevin O'Leary aka Mr. Wonderful

157,108 views • 9 months ago

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has been increasing its war spending every year. In the 2026 budget, the Kremlin plans to spend 12.93 trillion rubles ($163,4 billion) (almost 30%, a record since the Soviet era) on the war, the army, and weapons purchases. This rapid growth in spending is happening without an adequate revenue base. The Russian economy has rested on three main pillars: energy exports, gold and foreign exchange reserves, and the National Wealth Fund. ◾️ Oil and gas revenues account for about 25% of Russia's budget and are the main source of funding for the war against Ukraine. As of mid-December, prices for Russian Urals crude are at their lowest level since the start of the full-scale war, at just over $40 per barrel. In February 2022, Urals prices were in the range of $80-90 per barrel. ◾️ Russia's National Wealth Fund is rapidly losing liquid assets: from $113.5 billion in 2022 to $51.6 billion in 2025. It was used to finance the budget deficit, especially in 2022-2024. ◾️ Gold and foreign exchange reserves - at the end of November, according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, in order to quickly patch up holes in the budget and support the ruble exchange rate, Russia's Central Bank began selling strategic gold reserves. The sale is taking place on the domestic market. Access to foreign markets is blocked by sanctions. In fact, Russia is "eating through" reserves that for decades were considered untouchable. ◾️ Even the Russian media are now openly writing about the possibility of the Russian economy entering a phase of stagnation. According to experts, the 1% GDP growth projected by the economic development ministry for 2025 will most likely not be achieved. Declines in industrial output have been recorded across all civilian sectors of the Russian economy. According to the latest data, there has even been a decline in production in the military sector, despite government contracts and financial backing from the budget. ◾️ Due to sanctions restrictions, declining international trust, and high risks, Russia has extremely limited access to external loans. There is little reason to expect a rise in energy prices. Therefore, social programs are being cut, payments to contract soldiers are being reduced, and further emissions and tax increases are being implemented. 🔷 From January 1, 2026, the VAT rate will increase from 20% to 22% - the highest level in Russia since 1992. 🔷 A radical tax reform for small businesses has been approved, affecting not only hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs but also millions of their customers. 🔷 A law introducing a "technology levy" has been signed - a tax on equipment and electronics sold in Russian stores. However, even the usually reserved head of the Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, speaks bluntly - due to tariff and VAT increases in early 2026, the Russian economy will experience an acceleration of inflation. "In December, certain companies have already begun adjusting prices with this in mind, but the main impact is yet to come," she said. For now, the Kremlin is doing everything it can to sustain military spending, which it considers a priority. But the Russian economy may not be able to withstand the continuation of the hot phase of the war. Especially if sanctions are tightened further.
1:49

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has been increasing its war spending every year. In the 2026 budget, the Kremlin plans to spend 12.93 trillion rubles ($163,4 billion) (almost 30%, a record since the Soviet era) on the war, the army, and weapons purchases. This rapid growth in spending is happening without an adequate revenue base. The Russian economy has rested on three main pillars: energy exports, gold and foreign exchange reserves, and the National Wealth Fund. ◾️ Oil and gas revenues account for about 25% of Russia's budget and are the main source of funding for the war against Ukraine. As of mid-December, prices for Russian Urals crude are at their lowest level since the start of the full-scale war, at just over $40 per barrel. In February 2022, Urals prices were in the range of $80-90 per barrel. ◾️ Russia's National Wealth Fund is rapidly losing liquid assets: from $113.5 billion in 2022 to $51.6 billion in 2025. It was used to finance the budget deficit, especially in 2022-2024. ◾️ Gold and foreign exchange reserves - at the end of November, according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, in order to quickly patch up holes in the budget and support the ruble exchange rate, Russia's Central Bank began selling strategic gold reserves. The sale is taking place on the domestic market. Access to foreign markets is blocked by sanctions. In fact, Russia is "eating through" reserves that for decades were considered untouchable. ◾️ Even the Russian media are now openly writing about the possibility of the Russian economy entering a phase of stagnation. According to experts, the 1% GDP growth projected by the economic development ministry for 2025 will most likely not be achieved. Declines in industrial output have been recorded across all civilian sectors of the Russian economy. According to the latest data, there has even been a decline in production in the military sector, despite government contracts and financial backing from the budget. ◾️ Due to sanctions restrictions, declining international trust, and high risks, Russia has extremely limited access to external loans. There is little reason to expect a rise in energy prices. Therefore, social programs are being cut, payments to contract soldiers are being reduced, and further emissions and tax increases are being implemented. 🔷 From January 1, 2026, the VAT rate will increase from 20% to 22% - the highest level in Russia since 1992. 🔷 A radical tax reform for small businesses has been approved, affecting not only hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs but also millions of their customers. 🔷 A law introducing a "technology levy" has been signed - a tax on equipment and electronics sold in Russian stores. However, even the usually reserved head of the Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, speaks bluntly - due to tariff and VAT increases in early 2026, the Russian economy will experience an acceleration of inflation. "In December, certain companies have already begun adjusting prices with this in mind, but the main impact is yet to come," she said. For now, the Kremlin is doing everything it can to sustain military spending, which it considers a priority. But the Russian economy may not be able to withstand the continuation of the hot phase of the war. Especially if sanctions are tightened further.

Anton Gerashchenko

122,875 views • 7 months ago

EXCESS LIQUIDITY MAKES 2027 ELECTION SPENDING A RISK TO THE ECONOMY - CBN Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor has warned that despite recent economic gains, the country faces significant risks to stability, especially with elections looming next year. Governor Yemi Cardoso told the National Economic Council Conference at the Presidential Villa that a large amount of liquidity remains in the system, and election year spending could destabilize the gains made by the Central Bank. He said past interventions, reaching ₦10.93 trillion, provided short term support but also created long-term distortions and higher costs of liquidity management. Cardoso also cautioned that monetary policy alone cannot stabilize the economy, highlighting food supply shocks, high energy costs, infrastructure deficits, and global trade tensions. He stressed the critical role of state and local governments, whose management of spending, deficits, and investment affects inflation, liquidity, and growth.
6:14

EXCESS LIQUIDITY MAKES 2027 ELECTION SPENDING A RISK TO THE ECONOMY - CBN Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor has warned that despite recent economic gains, the country faces significant risks to stability, especially with elections looming next year. Governor Yemi Cardoso told the National Economic Council Conference at the Presidential Villa that a large amount of liquidity remains in the system, and election year spending could destabilize the gains made by the Central Bank. He said past interventions, reaching ₦10.93 trillion, provided short term support but also created long-term distortions and higher costs of liquidity management. Cardoso also cautioned that monetary policy alone cannot stabilize the economy, highlighting food supply shocks, high energy costs, infrastructure deficits, and global trade tensions. He stressed the critical role of state and local governments, whose management of spending, deficits, and investment affects inflation, liquidity, and growth.

ARISE NEWS

151,009 views • 6 months ago

𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐁𝐁𝐌 𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐈𝐍, 𝐏𝐇 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑: 𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐀 NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the Philippine economy under the Marcos Jr. administration "is more stable than any time in the past." Secretary Balisacan also stressed that the Philippines should strengthen its agriculture and manufacturing sectors further to ensure sustainability and resiliency of the country's economy. "I think over the years, I'm quite confident that our economy now is more stable than any time in the past. It's more diversified, but we need to continue improving, working and developing other pillars of growth," the NEDA Secretary said. "For example, the services sector is a big part of the economy. We should strengthen our agriculture further, manufacturing so that we have all these pillars of growth providing that sustainability and resiliency that we want to achieve," he added.
0:48

𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐁𝐁𝐌 𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐈𝐍, 𝐏𝐇 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑: 𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐀 NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the Philippine economy under the Marcos Jr. administration "is more stable than any time in the past." Secretary Balisacan also stressed that the Philippines should strengthen its agriculture and manufacturing sectors further to ensure sustainability and resiliency of the country's economy. "I think over the years, I'm quite confident that our economy now is more stable than any time in the past. It's more diversified, but we need to continue improving, working and developing other pillars of growth," the NEDA Secretary said. "For example, the services sector is a big part of the economy. We should strengthen our agriculture further, manufacturing so that we have all these pillars of growth providing that sustainability and resiliency that we want to achieve," he added.

Radyo Pilipinas

13,820 views • 1 year ago

Sri Lanka secures a historic US$ 3.7 Billion FDI during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's China visit, paving the way for a 200,000-barrel oil refinery in Hambantota by Sinopec, set to boost exports & transform the economy. 🇨🇳🇱🇰 #LKA #SriLanka US$ 3.7 Billion Foreign Direct Investment Secured During President's First State Visit to China 👏👏👏 During President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s four-day state visit to China, Sri Lanka marked a significant milestone by securing the largest foreign direct investment to date. This significant achievement was formalized this morning (16) with the signing of an agreement between Sri Lanka's Ministry of Energy and Sinopec, a leading Chinese international petroleum corporation. Under this $3.7 billion investment, a state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels will be constructed in the Hambantota region. A substantial portion of the refinery’s output is planned for export, further enhancing the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. This major investment from China is expected to bolster Sri Lanka’s economic growth while uplifting the livelihoods of low-income communities in the Hambantota area. Moreover, the benefits of this project are anticipated to positively impact the overall Sri Lankan population in the near future. The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake and Director General of Government Information H. S. K. J. Bandara, alongside other dignitaries.
0:25

Sri Lanka secures a historic US$ 3.7 Billion FDI during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's China visit, paving the way for a 200,000-barrel oil refinery in Hambantota by Sinopec, set to boost exports & transform the economy. 🇨🇳🇱🇰 #LKA #SriLanka US$ 3.7 Billion Foreign Direct Investment Secured During President's First State Visit to China 👏👏👏 During President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s four-day state visit to China, Sri Lanka marked a significant milestone by securing the largest foreign direct investment to date. This significant achievement was formalized this morning (16) with the signing of an agreement between Sri Lanka's Ministry of Energy and Sinopec, a leading Chinese international petroleum corporation. Under this $3.7 billion investment, a state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels will be constructed in the Hambantota region. A substantial portion of the refinery’s output is planned for export, further enhancing the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. This major investment from China is expected to bolster Sri Lanka’s economic growth while uplifting the livelihoods of low-income communities in the Hambantota area. Moreover, the benefits of this project are anticipated to positively impact the overall Sri Lankan population in the near future. The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake and Director General of Government Information H. S. K. J. Bandara, alongside other dignitaries.

Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰

15,340 views • 1 year ago

Today is a defining moment for National Grid as we announce a significant step up in energy infrastructure investment that cements our position as a leader in the energy transition on both sides of the Atlantic. We’re investing around £60bn in networks in the next five years, with over £30bn of that in the UK. This investment will unlock economic growth and enable the increasingly digital, electrified and decarbonised economies of the future. National Grid will support 55,000 more UK jobs by the end of the decade. To finance this unprecedented scale of investment and growth, we’ve announced a comprehensive financing plan including a £7 billion fully underwritten rights issue. This is a huge growth opportunity for National Grid that will bring significant benefits for the whole country.
2:57

Today is a defining moment for National Grid as we announce a significant step up in energy infrastructure investment that cements our position as a leader in the energy transition on both sides of the Atlantic. We’re investing around £60bn in networks in the next five years, with over £30bn of that in the UK. This investment will unlock economic growth and enable the increasingly digital, electrified and decarbonised economies of the future. National Grid will support 55,000 more UK jobs by the end of the decade. To finance this unprecedented scale of investment and growth, we’ve announced a comprehensive financing plan including a £7 billion fully underwritten rights issue. This is a huge growth opportunity for National Grid that will bring significant benefits for the whole country.

National Grid

111,272 views • 2 years ago

Over the past decade, we have surged ahead, climbing from being the tenth-largest economy to the fifth-largest in just five years. This transformation is a testament to our prudent macroeconomic policies, reforms, and the resilience of our people. As we aspire to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047—a developed nation by the centenary of our independence—the path ahead demands innovation, sustained investments, continued reforms and a firm commitment to inclusive growth. Our growth trajectory remains strong, underpinned by sound macroeconomic fundamentals and structural reforms implemented over the past decade. The Indian Government’s Budget 2025-26 has outlined a clear roadmap, focusing on key priorities, including agricultural productivity, rural development, inclusive growth, manufacturing, MSME support, employment generation, innovation, energy security, and export promotion. - Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in LSE
2:31

Over the past decade, we have surged ahead, climbing from being the tenth-largest economy to the fifth-largest in just five years. This transformation is a testament to our prudent macroeconomic policies, reforms, and the resilience of our people. As we aspire to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047—a developed nation by the centenary of our independence—the path ahead demands innovation, sustained investments, continued reforms and a firm commitment to inclusive growth. Our growth trajectory remains strong, underpinned by sound macroeconomic fundamentals and structural reforms implemented over the past decade. The Indian Government’s Budget 2025-26 has outlined a clear roadmap, focusing on key priorities, including agricultural productivity, rural development, inclusive growth, manufacturing, MSME support, employment generation, innovation, energy security, and export promotion. - Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in LSE

Nirmala Sitharaman Office

16,746 views • 1 year ago

🚨LEAVITT: “Hamas is a designated foreign terrorist organization and we are not going to tolerate non citizens who come here on a visa engaging in such behavior siding with terrorists. The Secretary of State reserves the right to revoke the visa or the green card of an individual who acts in a way that has adverse foreign policy relations with the United States. I think siding with Hamas fits that criteria and Secretary Rubio made it absolutely clear that we will be doing more arrests.”
1:08

🚨LEAVITT: “Hamas is a designated foreign terrorist organization and we are not going to tolerate non citizens who come here on a visa engaging in such behavior siding with terrorists. The Secretary of State reserves the right to revoke the visa or the green card of an individual who acts in a way that has adverse foreign policy relations with the United States. I think siding with Hamas fits that criteria and Secretary Rubio made it absolutely clear that we will be doing more arrests.”

Autism Capital 🧩

32,555 views • 1 year ago

"Venezuela has a lot of oil, they do ... It is to their benefit to have set up a normal, transparent process that encourages foreign investment — not just in oil by the way and in other natural resources — but in other sectors of their economy." — Secretary Marco Rubio
0:42

"Venezuela has a lot of oil, they do ... It is to their benefit to have set up a normal, transparent process that encourages foreign investment — not just in oil by the way and in other natural resources — but in other sectors of their economy." — Secretary Marco Rubio

Department of State

71,123 views • 6 months ago

"The authorities have completely lost control over the economy," — Igor Lipsits Igor Lipsits, an exiled Russian economist, argues the Russian economy is not a true market economy and is in a precarious state, characterized by a war-driven "mobilization economy" that relies heavily on state spending and is depleting long-term resources. He points to rising poverty and a severe budget deficit, which the government is trying to address through tax increases, while official figures of growth are misleadingly high due to factors like panic-driven inventory accumulation rather than genuine productivity. Key points from Igor Lipsits on the Russian economy: •Misleading official figures: He states that reported GDP growth is misleading, inflated by military spending and the accumulation of inventories by businesses afraid of supply chain disruptions, not by actual economic progress. •"Mobilization economy": The economy is shifting towards a wartime footing, with resources directed towards the military-industrial complex. This erodes the framework of a free market and sustainability for other sectors over time. •Budget crisis: The government faces a massive budget deficit, with military spending consuming a huge portion of the budget while tax revenues are falling and reserves are being depleted. •Strained private sector: Businesses are being squeezed by tax hikes and a lack of investment. Many industries are operating at a loss, and the government is taxing profits that don't exist. •Economic inequality: While the middle class is struggling, a segment of the population, particularly families of soldiers and those in stagnant regions, are experiencing a form of economic benefit from the war through increased payouts. •Negative long-term outlook: He warns that the current path is unsustainable and could lead to a full-scale industrial and financial crisis, as the economy is "eating itself" by consuming its remaining pre-war reserves and exhausting its resources.
3:46

"The authorities have completely lost control over the economy," — Igor Lipsits Igor Lipsits, an exiled Russian economist, argues the Russian economy is not a true market economy and is in a precarious state, characterized by a war-driven "mobilization economy" that relies heavily on state spending and is depleting long-term resources. He points to rising poverty and a severe budget deficit, which the government is trying to address through tax increases, while official figures of growth are misleadingly high due to factors like panic-driven inventory accumulation rather than genuine productivity. Key points from Igor Lipsits on the Russian economy: •Misleading official figures: He states that reported GDP growth is misleading, inflated by military spending and the accumulation of inventories by businesses afraid of supply chain disruptions, not by actual economic progress. •"Mobilization economy": The economy is shifting towards a wartime footing, with resources directed towards the military-industrial complex. This erodes the framework of a free market and sustainability for other sectors over time. •Budget crisis: The government faces a massive budget deficit, with military spending consuming a huge portion of the budget while tax revenues are falling and reserves are being depleted. •Strained private sector: Businesses are being squeezed by tax hikes and a lack of investment. Many industries are operating at a loss, and the government is taxing profits that don't exist. •Economic inequality: While the middle class is struggling, a segment of the population, particularly families of soldiers and those in stagnant regions, are experiencing a form of economic benefit from the war through increased payouts. •Negative long-term outlook: He warns that the current path is unsustainable and could lead to a full-scale industrial and financial crisis, as the economy is "eating itself" by consuming its remaining pre-war reserves and exhausting its resources.

Beefeater

18,351 views • 9 months ago