Oil looks set to dominate Angola's economy in the medium term and potentially longer if pre-salt discoveries prove as lucrative as optimists hope. But new regulations in the US and Europe could shake up the industry, while the government hopes to develop gas exports and the mining sector.
Angola has recovered quickly from its slump four years ago and regained its position as one of the world’s most buoyant economies. But despite that, the country's ruling party will have to adapt to the changing expectations of Angolans, for many of whom peace is no longer enough.
Turkey has set itself some ambitious targets for the next 10 years, not least wanting to become one of the world's 10 largest economies. There are a number of obstacles that it must overcome first, however, with a significant savings gap, a deep current account deficit and a poor record in attracting foreign direct investment.
Life for Angola’s banks is getting harder, thanks in no small part to falling interest rates and new taxes. But, as the country's economy continues to perform impressively, growth opportunities will remain. The challenge will be to make sure that this growth is sustainable.
The foreign exchange markets have been tough of late, amid relentlessly declining volatility and persistently low returns. However, a shift in the economic landscape may give managers a chance to shine in the coming year and take advantage of new relationships with the banking community.
In the past year, political turbulence has dented Kuwait's otherwise healthy economy, with political infighting effectively blocking the government's $130bn economic development plan (EDP). But a new government, elected in December 2012, looks set to put an end to the country's political problems and kick-start the EDP.
Largely unaffected by the political and economic turbulence outside the country, Kuwait's banks recorded strong growth in 2012, and are looking to improve on this in 2013, by seeking growth abroad and taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the government's $130bn national development plan.