Spire Research and Consulting is the leading research consultancy in global emerging markets.
Industry
Best practices of MNC's regional managemnet in Asia-Pacific
(Text Version)Sector Trend Analysis for business opportunity realization in emerging Asian countries
(Text Version)Food Export Promotion Strategy in Southeast Asia
(Text Version)Inward Investment Strategy Formulation and lead generation in Asia
(Text Version)
Case Study
Government
Public Sector OutlookThe world economy is battling the worst financial crisis in 60 years. Global trade volume has plummeted and developing countries in Asia will experience slower growth due to weak demand from developed countries as well as weak commodity prices.
To spur economic recovery, governments across the board have introduced stimulus packages that focus on keeping businesses afloat, creating jobs and boosting spending. Infrastructure projects are the most widely utilized fiscal stimulus measure, as most emerging economies still lack comprehensive road, rail, sea and air connectivity.
Export-dependent countries are hardest-hit by the fall in demand from the US and Europe. To boost trade, subsidies and funding for trade-related activities have taken off. Increased resources are being channeled into export promotion activities both by Asian and OECD governments keen on exporting to Asia. In particular, priority is given to programs aimed at small and medium-sized firms that are in danger of severe contraction or collapse if they are unable to address export markets.
In light of US President Obama’s emphasis on going green, governments in Asia are proactively developing their environmental technology sectors. Many emerging countries are implementing Green regulations to help develop domestic environmental technology industries, with an eye on future export markets. This is leading to more government-supported investment being channeled to areas like bio-fuels, solar & wind energy and carbon trading programs.
Next to the slow economic growth, the aging population is another concern. In Asia, roughly one in five persons is over 50, a figure that will climb to 40% by 2030. Governments in countries like Singapore, Taiwan and Japan have been active in developing industries to support their ageing populations – healthcare, ICT, F&B and lifestyle and leisure, for example. The outlook for these sectors is optimistic.
Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) have also become increasingly popular among governments and their central banks. Major commodities-exporting countries, such as Russia and Venezuela, rely on SWFs or stabilization funds to cushion the impact from frequent fluctuations in commodities’ prices. However SWFs have also become important in more broad-based economies such as China and Singapore.
In today's world, the public sector is ever more conscious of the need to further globalization but in a way that is advantageous to its domestic industries. We can expect ever more innovation in public policy formulation and execution as national governments (and multilateral organizations) navigate the waters of globalization, aging and global warming while always keeping their sights focused on the beacon of sustainable and equitable growth.
Spire’s public sector expertise
Spire has a substantial track record in working with public sector agencies in both developed and emerging countries in order to facilitate government strategies for export promotion, foreign direct investment attraction and overseas aid disbursement.
Our work in the public sector space has addressed subjects ranging from country economic outlook and tax regulations to inward investment attraction and export promotion programs in very specific products and services.
