Trade Horizons’ Market Entry Blog

Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, is embarking on an ambitious journey to transform its energy sector. With a population of over 28 million, the island nation is heavily reliant on traditional biomass and imported fossil fuels, which pose significant environmental and economic challenges. However, the government and various stakeholders are now focusing on harnessing the island's abundant renewable energy resources to create a sustainable and resilient energy future.

As the UK prepares to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) by the end of 2024, Made in Britain is hosting an insightful online session on November 12th. This event aims to equip UK manufacturers with the knowledge and connections needed to successfully export to the Asia Pacific region. Event Highlights The session will feature presentations from two UK manufacturing companies, including Roman Ltd, which has a strong track record of exporting to over 70 countries. Attendees will also hear from the UK Department for Business and Trade’s Asia Pacific team, who will provide valuable advice on leveraging the benefits of the CPTPP.

Equinix, a leading global data center operator, has announced a significant joint venture with Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, GIC, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments). This partnership aims to raise over $15 billion to expand Equinix’s U.S. data center footprint. The joint venture, established on October 1, 2024, is set to accelerate the growth of Equinix’s xScale data center portfolio. This expansion is driven by the increasing demand for data storage and processing power, fueled by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. The new facilities will cater to hyperscale customers, including major technology companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.

In a significant shift from its previous methodology, the World Bank has launched the "Business Ready 2024" report, a revamped version of the former "Doing Business" rankings. This new report evaluates the business climates of 50 economies across three critical pillars: regulatory framework, public services, and operational efficiency. The top performers in these categories are Hungary, Estonia, and Singapore, respectively.

On September 9, 2024, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering supply chain resilience. This agreement marks a significant step towards enhancing strategic cooperation and addressing risks to critical supply chains among these three nations.