Wilfried Verstraete, CEO, Euler Hermes Group, said that world GDP growth by year-end would be lower than earlier forecast, at +2.4%, before an uptick in 2014 to +3.1%. While emerging countries would remain the global growth drivers for 2013 and 2014, at 4.4% and 4.9% respectively, he cautioned that slowing Asian growth overall and a sharper-than-anticipated 2013 Eurozone GDP contractions would increase momentum in global insolvencies (+8% in 2013; +2% in 2014).
According to Michele Pignotti, head of Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa region, “Steady economic growth and a high degree of trade openness make the Middle East and GCC a key area for Italian export growth. Construction, energy, machinery and textiles are the main export sectors. However, there may also be a higher risk of non-payments emerging in some areas; we registered a triple digit increase in Turkey to mid-year 2013.”
Presenting preliminary results of the Mediterranean benchmark study, Ludovic Subran, Euler Hermes chief economist, addressed two central themes:
A Mediterranean sea of opportunities, but high tide, headwind and wave warnings still apply
Three-speed Mediterranean regional growth will be demarcated by “Old Europe”, future Arabic champions (“Abtal”) and “Asian Gateway” country clusters. In 2013, overall regional economic growth of +0.4% should strengthen to +1.7% in 2014 with diverging growth rates between “Old Europe” (-1.3% in 2013 and +0.4% in 2014) and the rest of the region (+3.5% and +4.1%). While advanced economies will remain the trade and logistics hubs for the region, growth dynamics, opportunities and risks vary markedly intra-region.
Increased national investments as a percentage of GDP could stimulate Mediterranean regional growth overall. Growing middle classes - especially in the GCC, Morocco and Turkey – could generate increased purchasing power potential in Middle East & Northern Africa (MENA) countries. However, prolonged economic limbo in the Eurozone would negatively impact the entire region, and political, social and consumer demand uncertainties in the MENA and GGC will be key business climate factors there.
- As “Old Europe” countries, export is the key to growth regeneration in France, Italy and Spain. Strengths include strong R&D capabilities, skilled labor forces, value-added
industries, and established trading infrastructures and institutions. However supply and demand, and business confidence, all remain depressed, partially as these countries continue to de-industrialize. - Among Arabic-speaking countries in the Mediterranean basin, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia stand out among the “Abtals”. Significant natural resources and major growth in the middle classes are enhanced by competitive labor costs and increased industrialization. Better quality maritime trade infrastructure including ports and infrastructure, and the adoption of international business financing standards are central to sustainable intra-regional trade growth. Moroccan economic resilience underpins its potential as the initial champion short-term.
- Among the “Asian Gateway” countries, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E and Turkey are best positioned to leverage traditional and recently increased Asian trading ties. Strengths include ongoing industrialization coupled with rising middle class demographics. Private sector trade opportunities are driven by a competitive labor market (Turkey) and stable financing in the GCC. Risks in this sub-region include vulnerability to high capital flows, social and political stress (Turkey), and a high dependency on energy prices (GCC).
Italy – rebuilding for the future
As Italy weathers its second consecutive year of recession (-2.4% in 2012; -1.8% in 2013), a mild recovery is forecast for 2014 (+0.3%). Insolvencies are increasing for the sixth consecutive year (+7% in 2013) and are expected to stabilize in 2014. Domestic demand, down 10% since the pre-crisis peak, is expected to continue its downward trend in 2014 (-14%). The parallel decline in funding availability to non-financial companies also remains a challenge to economic recovery.