SBWire

Pre-paid transaction growth is currently being fuelled by rising demand for closed loop pre-paid cards, which will record current transaction value growth of 13% in 2012 (vs. 10% for overall pre-paid cards). Open loop pre-paid cards, on the other hand, will only record current transaction value growth of 1% in 2012.

The year 2012 achieves a moderately slower volume growth rate compared to 2011. Some categories such as nuts are reaching maturity, while expansion of other areas is not fast enough. Consumers residing in urban area and cities remain the key purchasers of sweet and savoury snacks. It was difficult for manufacturers to penetrate these rural areas, as rural people had too low incomes to afford these products, especially during the economic difficulties.

Cheese in Georgia traditionally benefits from high demand. Together, with bread, it is considered an essential almost staple product. The assortment within the category is wide enough and local grades also prevail. Homemade cheese has been produced for centuries in Georgia although now only artisanal cheese remains of this type. It is difficult for large manufacturers to compete with small farms, who spend less on production (though often offer less quality) and which pay far less taxes than...

Surface care saw a dynamic performance in 2012, recording a value sales increase of 15% and volume growth of 9%. Despite the fact that sales were generated only by urban consumers, the new product developments of the review period with standard prices ensured that surface care products become affordable to a greater number of mid-income consumers. The reduced use of other detergents, such as powder laundry detergent as an alternative to surface care products, also contributed to strong growth.

Luxury travel goods saw much slower volume and value growth in 2012 compared to 2011 for a few reasons. Firstly, the London 2012 Olympics, the Queen's Diammond Jubilee and a strong campaign for VisitBriton promoting national tourism all slimmed the growth and necessity for luxury travel goods. According to industry experts, luxury consumers want to 'show off' luxury travel goods when travelling to exotic or new destinations. Trends such as 'stay cations' and UK national and local travel were on...

Home care retail volume and value sales started to increase in 2012 after extremely hard times during the review period. Value growth was faster than volume growth during the year due to increasing retail prices. The most important factors driving sales in 2012 were rising consumer purchasing power and prices. Home care products sales depend much on macroeconomic factors like economic development, household income growth and consumer confidence regarding the future, all of which have improved...

The Coca-Cola Company slightly underperformed the world's soft drinks market amid the recession in Western Europe and slow economic recovery in the US. It is actively expanding in low calorie carbonates to retain consumers and widening the use of natural sweeteners in its beverages. The part acquisition of Aujan will help TCCC to accelerate its expansion into the Middle East and Africa region and the full takeover of Innocent is likely to boost its position in premium juice in Western Europe.

As of early 2013, it remains obvious that Poland is, with the possible exception of the Czech Republic, the largest market in Central and Eastern Europe and one which is too large to ignore.

Parapharmacies/drugstores continued on a growth path despite the increasing number of competitors. Leading players continue expanding their branches to reach a larger consumer base. New outlet opening is not only taking place in the city of Santa Cruz, but other cities including La Paz, Tarija and Sucre. Consumers perceive the prices of these retailers as convenient and these retailers have the largest availability of products available for consumers. In addition, these retailers are starting...

Demand for other hot drinks declined slightly in 2012, down 1% in volume terms on the previous year. The poor economic situation, as well as the health trend, undermined volume demand. Many consumers also traded down to cheaper alternatives, such as private label, in order to save money.

Demand growth in Kazakhstan remains healthy, reflecting the country's ongoing economic expansion. Plans for new generating capacity continue to focus on conventional thermal sources, with gas taking the lead thanks to the state's substantial domestic resources. Asian influence is growing, with China and South Korea entering the power arena as financiers of and contractors for generating facilities. However, Russia may emerge as the partner of choice if Kazakhstan opts to bring nuclear capacity online.

Compared with many of its South Asian neighbours, Sri Lanka's telecoms market is mature: penetration rates are high, 3G licences were first available in 2007, and in late 2012, two Sri Lankan operators launched 4G LTE services. Sri Lanka is also seeking to improve speeds in the wireline market, with plans to launch a national broadband policy in a move that aims to facilitate internet access. Market development has been beset with delays, however, as the civil war prevented the development of telecoms infrastructure in affected areas in the north of the island. Since then, private and public sectors are aggressively investing in the reconstruction and expansion process.

BMI View: We have revised up our near term outlook for growth in Angola's construction industry as the government focuses on infrastructure investment in an attempt to diversify the economy. In addition to increased spending in the FY2013 budget, which is in line with the 2013-2017 National Development Plan, we also see continued investment from Chinese companies to support national resource extraction. Consequently, we are forecasting growth of 15.1% and 14.4% in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

With the usual provisos about a volatile political and security situation, our economic outlook for Pakistan is relatively upbeat. We note that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been easing its monetary policy stance, money supply growth has consequently accelerated, private credit is expanding, and net direct foreign investment has improved. The energy crisis has eased back a little and manufacturing output has been growing. The sluggishness of the European economies is still casting a shadow over Pakistani exports, but there are some signs of resilience. Taking all this into account, we continue to expect GDP growth of 4% in fiscal year 2012/13 (July to June), which would mark the strongest growth in six years, albeit nowhere near the mid-to-high single-digit growth rates achieved prior to the 2008 global economic crisis. For 2013/14 we are forecasting the same 4% level of expansion.

There are glimmers of hope in the upstream segment, with the Ascent-operated Petisovci tight gas scheme capable of improving energy self-sufficiency and slowing the rate of growth in gas imports. However, overall volumes are likely to be relatively modest, with imported Russian gas set to dominate supply for the foreseeable future.

BMI's Australia Defence & Security report for Q213 examines the country's strategic position in the Pacific region and the wider world. It provides an overview of the contemporary geopolitical challenges facing the country, and the issues it may face in the future.

Spain Endoscopy Devices Market Outlook to 2019 - Capsule Endoscope Systems, Endoscopic Instruments, Flexible Endoscopes, Rigid Endoscopes and Others

GlobalData's report "Emission Reduction Efforts and Smarter Grids Push Electric Drive Bus Deployments" provides an analysis on how global emission reduction efforts along with smart grids are enabling faster deployment of electric drive buses. Global emission reduction efforts are leading to growth in the number of electric drive buses. Governments worldwide have come up with carbon reduction targets and aim to make use of effective measures to reduce emissions. Electric buses emit fewer pollutants compared to conventional diesel buses. The provisions provided by smart grids are also playing a key role in the development of electric buses. Apart from carbon emissions, other benefits such as reduced maintenance and fuel costs, smoother operations, reduced noise, and reduced capacity for electricity generation, have also enhanced the growth of electric buses. Countries such as the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands and the UK have come up with plans and policies that will lead to increased fuel efficiency and therefore drive the deployment of electric drive buses as a solution for the achievement of emissions reduction.

GlobalData's new report, "Belgium Drug Delivery Devices Market Outlook to 2018 - Metered Dose Inhaler Devices, Infusion Systems, Central Venous Catheters and Others" provides key market data on the Belgium Drug Delivery Devices market. The report provides value (USD million), volume (units) and average price (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment within market categories - Infusion Systems, Metered Dose Inhaler Devices, Central Venous Catheters and Needle Free Injections. The report also provides company shares and distribution shares data for each of the aforementioned market categories. The report is supplemented with global corporate-level profiles of the key market participants with information on company financials and pipeline products, wherever available.

BMI View: BMI forecasts that the Venezuelan consumer electronics market will grow by around 4% in 2012, but the precarious economic environment will inhibit IT investment. BMI has upwardly revised our market forecast after stronger-than-expected credit fuelled private consumption growth in 2012. A 'notebooks for schools' programme, and the acceleration of Venezuela's programme for digital broadcasting migration, will also provide a boost to consumer electronics spending over the next few years.

GlobalData's new report, "Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG Market Share Analysis" provides in-depth information on Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG's market position in the different medical equipment markets it operates in. The report provides Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG market share information in two key market categories - Ophthalmic Diagnostic Equipment and Refractive Surgery Devices. The report also provides data and information on the overall competitive landscape of the markets, the company operates in. The report is supplemented with global corporate-level profile with information on the company's business segments, major products and services, competitors, locations and subsidiaries, financial deals and other key developments.

This comprehensive SWOT profile of Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited provides you an in-depth strategic analysis of the company's businesses and operations. The profile has been compiled by GlobalData to bring to you a clear and an unbiased view of the company's key strengths and weaknesses and the potential opportunities and threats. The profile helps you formulate strategies that augment your business by enabling you to understand your partners, customers and competitors better.

This comprehensive SWOT profile of Allied Technologies Limited provides you an in-depth strategic analysis of the company's businesses and operations. The profile has been compiled by GlobalData to bring to you a clear and an unbiased view of the company's key strengths and weaknesses and the potential opportunities and threats. The profile helps you formulate strategies that augment your business by enabling you to understand your partners, customers and competitors better.

This comprehensive SWOT profile of Anpec Electronics Corporation provides you an in-depth strategic analysis of the company's businesses and operations. The profile has been compiled by GlobalData to bring to you a clear and an unbiased view of the company's key strengths and weaknesses and the potential opportunities and threats. The profile helps you formulate strategies that augment your business by enabling you to understand your partners, customers and competitors better.

The report presents detailed data on consumption trends in the Soy Milk and Cream category in Spain, analyzing consumption volumes and values. It also provides indispensable data on distribution channels, profiles of companies active in the Soy Products sector and mergers and acquisitions in the sector.