More . . . Six of the nine countries that make up this West African region the Gambia, Chad, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are among the bottom twelve on a list of 174 countries ranked in the latest UNDP report on human development. Adding to the crushing poverty is an unstable climate, fragile natural resources, dependence on a small number of exports that are subject to highly unpredictable market fluctuations, and a heavy reliance on financial transfers from abroad. All these factors generate an environment of permanent uncertainty that is hardly conducive to investment. More . . .
Growth is still generally good and fears of a recession are exaggerated.
A mild short-term dip in the U.S. is likely, but other economies, particularly in Europe, will perform well. A recession, if it comes, will be severe and global. Current results Previous results All rights reserved.