The economy likely ended 2018 on a weaker note, after significantly decelerating in Q3 on the back of a sharp contraction in both business and residential investment. Softer tourism growth, following years of surging visitor inflows, should have put a lid on growth in Q4. This is reflected by overnight tourist stays, which rose only modestly in December after a flat November print, thus weighing on hotel occupancy rates. Lastly, although consumer confidence tumbled in November, solid wage growth and a low unemployment rate should have supported private consumption in the quarter.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) economic recovery appeared to face some headwinds in the fourth quarter, on the heels of a marked upturn in the third quarter. Although fourth-quarter national accounts remain outstanding for all economies bar Nigeria, a very preliminary estimate suggests that regional growth through yearend dipped to 3.0% year-on-year (previously reported: +2.8% year-on-year). Meanwhile, comprehensive third-quarter national accounts confirmed regional growth at 3.1% year-on-year as the region’s major players shook off a mid-year malaise.

Glamping has for long flown under the radar, eluding masses and luxury travelers. However, it is back with a bang, bringing an element of undeniable comfort in the remotest of locales.

In terms of volume, the global cladding market was 5,450.0 million sq. meters in 2016, which is expected to increase to 8,224.2 million sq. meters by 2025, at a CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period. In terms of revenue, the industry is expected to grow from USD 70.58 billion in 2016 to USD 111.19 billion by 2025, growing at a 5.3% CAGR over the forecast period. Increasing consumer awareness regarding the aesthetic appeal and durable benefits of such products leading to increase in demand. Wide availability of raw materials such as steel, aluminum, ceramic and others leading to increase in production levels. Expanding residential & non-residential construction activities to support burgeoning population is expected to remain a key driving factor for cladding materials.

POC diagnostic testing is also known as near-patient or extra-laboratory or alternate site testing. It typically refers to the performance of a diagnostic test outside a traditional reference laboratory or near the site of patient care, whether it is hospitals or out-patient settings. The dominant model of laboratory testing remains the centralized model for diagnosis and treatment of several acute and chronic diseases. This laboratory-based diagnostic testing is well established in clinical chemistry and hematology and is now extending to other disciplines, including anatomical pathology and microbiology.

Dyes have been known to human beings since the early civilizations. Natural dyes are extracted from plants, animals, and several minerals. They have major applications in the textile industry. However, the discovery of synthetic dyes has led to the decline of natural dyes as the former rapidly has surpassed the latter in the commercial textile industry. Reviving the fortunes of natural dyes heavily depends on the acceptance of consumers in the market. Currently, the share of synthetic dyes and colorants is higher than natural dyes; however, the growth in the number of environment and health-conscious consumers that want natural dyes application in apparels, foods, drinks, beauty products, and wellness and medicinal products is helping to revive natural dyes.

The report considers the revenues generated through sales of flexible endoscopes. However, revenues associated with other types of endoscopes, such as the rigid endoscopes, are not considered in the scope of the study. The South Asia flexible endoscope market is segmented based on application, end user, and countries. The applications covered in the study include bronchoscopy, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, urology endoscopy, neuroendoscopy, gastrointestinal endoscopy, obstetrics/gynecology endoscopy, ENT endoscopy, and others. On the basis of end users, the market is classified into hospitals, clinics, and others. Country wise, it is analyzed across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and rest of South Asia.

The global furniture market witnessing a significant growth owing to stabilizing global economy and growing consumer confidence in developed as well as developing economies. The world GDP growth increased from 3.5% to 3.6% in 2018, while developed nations witnessed flat growth of 2% in 2017 and 2018. On the other hand, the emerging economies reported an uptick in GDP growth from 4.5% to 4.8% in 2018. People are now spending more on home furnishing products. The major factor for the increasing consumer confidence is the growing disposable income, higher standards of living, rapid urbanization, rise in dual-income households, and growing need for comfort and convenience.

Is the world sleepwalking into a crisis? Global risks are intensifying but the collective will to tackle them appears to be lacking. Instead, divisions are hardening. The world’s move into a new phase of strongly state-centred politics, noted in last year’s Global Risks Report, continued throughout 2018. The idea of “taking back control”— whether domestically from political rivals or externally from multilateral or supranational organizations— resonates across many countries and many issues. The energy now expended on consolidating or recovering national control risks weakening collective responses to emerging global challenges. We are drifting deeper into global problems from which we will struggle to extricate ourselves.

Transit packaging in simple terms is the additional layer or secondary packaging done over the primarily packed product, utilized for shipping the product from one destination to another. The global transit packaging market has witnessed a considerable transformation over the years from being a protective wrapping to a useful promotion tool. A lot of effort, calculations, estimates, product selection, shipping amenities, and package designing goes into the eventual transit packaging process. A wide variety of products are selected for packing and transporting a range of products in the global transit packaging market.