Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] Through the India Semiconductor Mission, the PLI (Performance Linked Incentive) schemes, and capital investment in the development of ATMP facilities, India hopes to emerge as a major force in global semiconductor material production. Bisinfotech
• [New] As China pivots toward Russia and the risk of a Taiwan contingency becomes increasingly real, a reassessment of economic ties with China is underway. RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -
• [New] The Russian arms industry is struggling to find enough skilled labour to support the projected rates of production needed to sustain Russia's war aims. Space War
• [New] Lower energy prices, depending on the extent of sanction removal, could have a stimulative effect on global consumers. investing.com
• [New] The key upside risk to oil prices remains Russian supply, due to both US sanctions and persistent Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. investing.com
• [New] Many economists - not least the Fed's doves - expect AI to be a massive positive for productivity, which pushes down inflation. investing.com
• [New] AI's integration into business operations is expected to generate trillions in economic value, with applications ranging from predictive analytics to autonomous systems. WebProNews
• [New] The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report notes that 44% of workers' core skills will be disrupted within five years, driven largely by AI and digital transformation. ETHRWorld Contributor
• [New] Annual production of primary plastic-tiny pellets used to make larger plastic products - is on track to increase 52% by 2040, growing twice as fast as waste management. Gizmodo
• [New] Electricity grids globally will be under increasing strain, risking blackouts and higher prices. investing.com
• [New] TAP Air Portugal is always exploring opportunities and that includes exploring the possibility of ultimately adopting a more traditional Premium Economy recliner product on its Airbus A330neos. Runway Girl
• [New] Singapore will invest S$ 37 billion (US$ 28.5 billion) - or about 1% of its economic output - on research, innovation and enterprise over the next five years. CNA
• [New] The US Inflation Reduction Act commits $369 billion to clean energy (projected to reach $786 B-$1.2 T due to uncapped tax credits). / China investing.com
• [New] Most importantly, Smart Nation is about transforming Singapore's economy, and ensuring that there will be jobs and opportunities in the future. Ministry of Digital Development and Information
• [New] China is likely to stick to its current annual economic growth target of around 5% in 2026, government advisers and analysts said, as Beijing is set to embark on a new five-year plan with sharper focus on boosting consumer demand and advancing technological self-reliance. 93.3 The Drive
• [New] Kazakhstan's economy is expected to grow by more than 6% in 2025, the highest rate in a decade, with GDP projected to exceed $300 billion for the first time. The Astana Times
• [New] Booking engines in 2026 will not only show prices and hotel reviews - they will show heatwave warnings, cyclone windows, and snowfall decline charts. Times Now
• [New] The royal government maintains that the nationwide 5G deployment will strengthen economic resilience by attracting new foreign direct investment, creating high-value jobs, and enhancing Cambodia's regional and international competitiveness. Khmer Times - Insight into Cambodia
• [New] A weakening dollar in early 2026 and resilient commodities like gold / base metals offer strategic opportunities amid global central bank rate normalization and inflation hedging demands. Ainvest
• [New] Singaporeans must work with the Government, which will do its part by working to keep Singapore's economy growing by retraining the workforce and keeping the country safe and secure. ST
• [New] The decisive chapter of the hydrogen economy will unfold between 2035 and 2050. Oman Observer
• [New] An opinion that is supported by figures from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey: Both estimate the global space economy will be worth US$ 1.3 trillion by 2035, up from US$ 630 billion in 2023. DE-CIX - we make interconnection easy. Anywhere.
• [New] We are forecasting continued growth for Australian horticulture, with record production value of $19 billion in 2025-26. FTA Freight & Trade Alliance

Last updated: 09 December 2025