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BMI View: In spite of the volatile licensing and regulatory environment, Ecuador continues to attract some international investment and is pumping its own cash into field development in order to slow a decline in output and ward off falling oil exports. There is, however, limited scope for sustained volume growth.

GlobalData's "Mining Quarterly Deal Analysis: M&A and Investment Trends - Q2 2012" report is an essential source of data and trend analysis on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and financings in the mining industry. The report provides detailed information on M&As, equity/debt offerings, private equity (PE), and partnership transactions registered in the mining industry in Q2 2012. The report provides detailed comparative data on the number of deals and their value in the last five quarters segregated into deal types, segments, and geographies. Besides, the report provides information on the top advisory firms in the mining industry.

GlobalData's report, 'Mining Market in Western Africa - Growth Built around Infrastructure Development and Capital Investment in Gold and Iron Ore Mining' provides key information and analysis of the West Africa regions mining industry. The report covers the industry's drivers and restraints, production, reserves, and details of fiscal terms governing the mining sector of different countries in West Africa.

"Planned Oil and Gas Pipelines - Global Market Analysis, Competitive Landscape and Major Projects to 2016", is the latest report from GlobalData, the industry analysis specialist, that analyzes the global planned oil and gas pipelines market. The report provides information about the global planned pipelines market until 2016. The report gives information on planned pipeline lengths by the top five countries and the top five companies in each region. It also covers key planned pipeline projects in each region. The report also provides key trends and issues in the pipeline industry. The report is built using the data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData's team of industry experts.

GlobalData's clinical trial report, "Malaria Global Clinical Trials Review, H1, 2012" provides data on the Malaria clinical trial scenario. This report provides elemental information and data relating to the clinical trials on Malaria. It includes an overview of the trial numbers and their recruitment status as per the site of trial conduction across the globe. The databook offers a preliminary coverage of disease clinical trials by their phase, trial status, prominence of the sponsors and also provides briefing pertaining to the number of trials for the key drugs for treating Malaria. This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData's team of industry experts.

This profile is the essential source for top-level energy industry data and information. The report provides an overview of each of the key sub-segments of the energy industry in Ukraine. It details the market structure, regulatory environment, infrastructure and provides historical and forecasted statistics relating to the supply/demand balance for each of the key sub-segments. It also provides information relating to the crude oil assets (oil fields, refineries, pipelines and storage terminals) in Ukraine. The report compares the investment environment in Ukraine with other countries in the region. The profiles of the major companies operating in the crude oil sector in Ukraine together with the latest news and deals are also included in the report.

GlobalData's report, Polycarbonate Industry Outlook in the US to 2016 - Market Size, Company Share, Price Trends, Capacity Forecasts of All Active and Planned Plants provides an in-depth coverage of the US Polycarbonate industry. The research presents major market trends affecting the Polycarbonate industry in the US. The report covers the US Polycarbonate plants and presents installed capacity by process and technology. In addition, it presents Polycarbonate demand and production forecasts, end use demand forecasts, price trends, trade balance data and company shares of the major Polycarbonate producers in the US. Overall, the report presents a comprehensive coverage of the US Polycarbonate industry including all the major parameters.

GlobalData's report, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Industry Outlook in the UK to 2016 - Market Size, Company Share, Price Trends, Capacity Forecasts of All Active and Planned Plants provides an in-depth coverage of the UK SBR industry. The research presents major market trends affecting the SBR industry in the UK. The report covers the UK SBR plants and presents installed capacity by key feedstock, process and technology. In addition, it presents SBR demand and production forecasts, end use demand forecasts, price trends, trade balance data and company shares of the major SBR producers in the UK. Overall, the report presents a comprehensive coverage of the UK SBR industry including all the major parameters.

Radio Frequency Components (RFC) (Antenna Switches, Filters, Power Amplifiers, Demodulators & Its Tunability Aspects) Market For Consumer Electronics - Global Forecast & Analysis (2012 - 2017) By Applications (Cellular Phones, Tablets, E-readers, Gps Devices, Laptops, Smart Tv's, Set Top Boxes, Others), Modules, Materials & Geography

BMI View: The broad-based improvement in global risk sentiment witnessed since the start of 2012 has prompted us to revise our end-year Turkish banking sector asset and loan growth forecasts up to 10.0% and 12.0% respectively, from 6.0% and 8.0% previously. Nonetheless, a combination of latent external risks, a slowing domestic economy, rising non-performing loans and tighter monetary policy will see domestic banks come under pressure this year. While the financial sector's relatively strong capital and leverage ratios will provide a buffer to these headwinds, we remain cautious towards financial stocks over a medium-term horizon. At the end of 2011, we highlighted the prospect of an external shock as the greatest threat to Turkey's economic stability in light of the country's reliance on foreign capital inflows. However, there has been a significant boost to global liquidity and risk sentiment witnessed since the start of 2012, alongside a stabilisation of macroeconomic conditions in the eurozone and a tentative improvement in US growth. In light of the improved external environment, we have been prompted to revise up our Turkish banking sector growth forecasts, with asset and loan growth now expected to clock in at 10% and 12% by the end of 2012, up from 6.0% and 8.0% previously. This nonetheless represents a sharp slowdown in growth from previous years. Indeed, the most recent data released by the Turkish central bank (CBRT) show loan growth of 32.4% y-o-y at the end of 2011, Turkey Commercial Banking Report Q2 2012 © Business Monitor International Ltd Page 32 down on the 42.5% growth recorded at the end of 2010, but still well above the central bank's 25.0% target. Below we highlight the major headwinds facing the banking sector. Need For Tighter Monetary Policy: As we stressed last quarter, despite the Turkish central bank's (CBRT) continued unorthodox monetary policy stance, currency and inflationary pressures would preclude the bank from overly loosening monetary policy for the foreseeable future. This was evident in the CBRT's decision on March 22 to pursue further lira liquidity tightening measures by not holding its regular one-week repo auction at 5.75%. While policy had originally been loosened back in January in line with easing measures by other central banks, the Turkish central bank has adopted an increasingly hawkish tone in recent weeks. In line with this dynamic, interbank funding costs have been rising (see our online service, March 26, 'Sustained Tightening Needed For Stability), which place renewed pressure on banks' domestic operations. Slowing Economy, Rising NPLs: Credit growth has already begun to show signs of slowing, and a combination of depressed economic activity abroad and tighter monetary and fiscal policy at home will result in a pronounced slowdown in real GDP growth this year (we currently target growth of 1.8% down from 8.0% in 2011). In turn, this will lead to an inevitable decline in asset quality. Accordin

BMI View: We anticipate that Sudan and South Sudan's combined oil output will fall dramatically in 2012 to just 135,000b/d, down from an estimated 420,000b/d in 2011. At present, there are few signs of progress in negotiations over critical border delineation and oil revenue sharing disputes. Indeed, border violence seems to be on the rise following the SPLM's invasion of Heglig in April 2012. Until tensions ease and a formal settlement is reached, oil production is set to remain well below pre-independence levels due to South Sudan's lack of independent export infrastructure.

The female financial services sector represents a profitable market still largely untapped in many areas of the world. There are currently 3.24 billion females worldwide, and it is estimated that around 50% of women in the world, 1.6 billion, are economically active. There is a growing segment of affluent women - senior executives, board members, property owners and entrepreneurs - wielding increasing economic power. There is substantial evidence that the female financial market is becoming increasingly populated, dynamic and affluent. However, many private and retail banks, credit card providers and insurance companies have still not actively targeted this sector, and there is a wide gap in the financial service offerings that are exclusively targeted towards women.

The Polish life insurance segment accounted for the largest share of XX% of the country's total insurance written premium value in 2011. Although the penetration ratio of gross written premium as a percentage of GDP in the country declined slightly between 2008 and 2011, Poland retained the highest life insurance penetration rate of XX% of GDP among the Central Eastern European countries in 2011. Other CEE countries such as the Czech Republic and Hungary have life insurance penetration levels of XX% and 1.53% respectively. Unlike several other CEE countries, the Polish life insurance segment also made underwriting profits as it had a combined ratio of less than XX% in 2011. The segment is expected to continue making underwriting profits over the forecast period.

Despite a difficult economic environment, the personal accident and health insurance segment recorded a robust growth rate during the review period. The growth in the market was driven by the rising healthcare expenditure in the country, growing consumer awareness regarding the benefits of personal accident insurance coverage coupled with the increasing volume of outbound tourists. New solvency norms and mergers and acquisitions have been the main business activities in the personal accident and health segment, particularly among smaller or mutual companies during the review period. The personal accident insurance segment is becoming more competitive, due to the entry of foreign companies into the market.

Coal: Global Industry Guide is an essential resource for top-level data and analysis covering the Coal industry. It includes detailed data on market size and segmentation, textual analysis of the key trends and competitive landscape, and profiles of the leading companies. This incisive report provides expert analysis on a global, regional and country basis.

This report is the result of ICD Research / Strategic Defence Intelligence's extensive market and company research covering the Swedish defense industry. It provides detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values including key growth stimulators, analysis of the leading companies in the industry, and key news.

Sports and Leisure Equipment Retailing in Asia-Pacific: Market Guide to 2016 provides in-depth detail on the trends and drivers of the Sports and Leisure Equipment Retailing market in the Asia-Pacific. The report includes quantitative information (historic and forecast market values), segmented at category level.

Online Retailers in Asia-Pacific: Market Guide to 2016 provides in-depth detail on the trends and drivers of the Online Retailers market in the Asia-Pacific. The report includes quantitative information (historic and forecast market values), segmented at category level.

Furniture and Floor Coverings Retailing in BRIC: Market Guide to 2016 provides in-depth detail on the trends and drivers of the Furniture and Floor Coverings Retailing market in the BRIC countries. The report includes quantitative information (historic and forecast market values), segmented at category level.

Electrical and Electronics Retailing in BRIC: Market Guide to 2016 provides in-depth detail on the trends and drivers of the Electrical and Electronics Retailing market in the BRIC countries. The report includes quantitative information (historic and forecast market values), segmented at category level.

Specialist Retailers in North America to 2016: Market Guide" provides in-depth detail on the trends and drivers of the Specialist Retailers market in North America. The report includes quantitative information (historic and forecast market values), segmented at channel level.

GBI Research's new report, "Analog Integrated Circuits (IC) Market to 2016 - Electric Vehicles and Portable Medical Equipment Segments to be Main Source of Future Growth", provides key information and analysis of market opportunities in the analog IC market. The report provides information on industry dynamics, key suppliers, and the sales revenue and sales volume of analog ICs. The report also provides forecasts for analog ICs based on product type, region and end-application until 2016. Market size forecasts until 2016 are also given for general purpose analog ICs and application-specific analog ICs. The following application markets for analog ICs are also discussed: consumer electronics, communications, automotive, computers, and industrial and medical. With increasing demand for smartphones, portable devices and efficient power management, the analog IC market is expected to grow. The potential growth markets for analog ICs include medical devices and electric vehicles. This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GBI Research's team of industry experts.

GBI Research, a leading business intelligence provider, has released its latest research, "Refining Industry to 2017 - Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa to Emerge as Key Regions for Infrastructure Investments for Capacity Additions". The study, which is an offering from the company's Energy Research Group, provides an in-depth analysis of the global refining industry, and highlights various concerns, key trends and challenges across the industry. The report provides detailed information and analysis on refining capacities by region and leading countries, upcoming refineries and capacity expansions, market shares of key companies and competitive scenarios in the global refining market to 2017. The report also provides analysis on refinery throughputs and utilization rates, details of key upcoming refinery projects (2012-2017) and the competitive scenario in all five regions across the globe. It also highlights global refining margin trends in the US Gulf Coast, north-western Europe and Singapore markets for the past three years. The report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis by GBI Research's team of industry experts.

WhiplashClaim.org.uk, an accident claims compensation firm based in Liverpool, is now offering its clients a brand new Apple iPad3 for all accepted cases.

As senior citizens get older, health problems like heart disease, memory loss and mobility issues can sometimes make it difficult for them to continue to live in their own homes.