ReleaseWire

Portugal experienced the effects of several years of erratic performance, characterised by deregulated application of public funds. Intervention by the International Monetary Fund forced the application of a severe austerity measures programme, which although almost at its end, is still severely impacting consumers' overall purchasing power. Financial difficulties also brought about other social problems, such as unemployment. All these factors forced a strong decline in consumption, which...

Beer has been greatly affected by the implementation of the revised excise tax, registering a 12% decline in total volume sales in 2013. Middle-class beer drinkers have reduced their consumption. As the excise tax significantly increased beer prices, middle-class consumers felt that their usual level of consumption was no longer compatible with their budget. Heavy consumers of beer have decreased their drinking frequency while light consumers of beer may have stopped drinking beer altogether.

Poland is one of the largest telecoms markets in Central and Eastern Europe, with vibrant competition across all market segments. This has benefited consumers through service innovation and lower prices, but operators' aggressive marketing strategies have increased the downward pressure on average revenues per user, which continue to trend downwards and result in narrowing margins . In light of this recent experience operators are targeting growth of high value high - speed fixed broadband subscription growth, as well as mobile broadband growth via dedicated subscriptions and smartphones. These opportunities should allow operators to develop data revenues and help offset declines in traditional services revenues such as voice and SMS.

Like many aspects of its defence posture, China keeps its annual defence budget secret, nevertheless, it is possible to make an accurate estimate regarding what the country spends annually on defence. To this end, we expect China's defence budget to reach USD132bn in 2014. By 2018, we expect China's defence budget to reach USD187bn.

Global Markets Direct's, 'Heart Attack - Pipeline Review, H2 2014', provides an overview of the Heart Attack's therapeutic pipeline.

Fast Food & Takeaways in Chile by Mintel Market Sizes provides you with annual year-end market size data, most recently updated in 2014. This report covers fast food and takeaway restaurants which have a restricted or set menu, limited seating and offer take-aways which account for a significant proportion of turnover. Market value is based on expenditure including sales tax in these outlets; market volume is based on numbers of outlets. Market size for Fast Food & Takeaways in Chile is given in CLP and outlet with a minimum of five years' historical data. Market Forecast is provided for five years. Included with this snapshot is socio-economic data for Chile. Population, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Exchange Rates.

This report is the result of Timetric's extensive market research covering the aggregates market in Canada. It contains detailed historic and forecast market value data for the aggregates market and its categories (construction sands, gravel & pebbles, crushed stone, chippings, waste-based aggregates and pre-coated aggregates), including data by domestic production, supply balance, existing stock, imports and exports. 'Aggregates in Canada to 2018: Market Databook' provides an overview and insight into the operating environment of the aggregates industry in Canada. It is an essential tool for companies active across the Canadian construction value chain and for new players who are considering entering the market.

The Argentine economy is reeling following the January 2014 currency devaluation. Economic growth has slowed markedly, prompting us to revise down our real GDP forecasts, as soaring inflation discourages investment and erodes purchasing power. Furthermore, the slowdown in economic activity has prompted a widening of the fiscal deficit, in line with our expectations, as government spending accelerates, and weak growth weighs on revenues. Moreover, we see further weakness for the Argentine peso, as the authorities allow for a gradual depreciation of the currency to address a widening spread between the black market and official exchange rates.

Before Slovenians even had the opportunity to get more widely familiarised with dark beer, whose offer was very limited and only started to expand during the review period, the country was already under the influence of the global trend of the expanding number of microbreweries. There are also a few beer specialist stores that opened their doors during the review period. The owners of these stores, which are also importers of many foreign brands, have a strong interest to introduce the...

Women are traditionally known for having a predisposition to acquire large quantities of apparel, whether in quantity or in value terms, and this fact remains true. The number of items of womenswear acquired in Portugal is still considerably higher when compared with menswear.

Eritrea has long been a hidden gem for travellers looking for a rich natural heritage and spectacular nature experiences. The country's magnificent archaeological and geographical features would be the envy of any country trying to attract visitors. Pristine beaches and natural wildlife areas combined with archaeological, historical and religious sites makes it ideal for adventurous visitors seeking experiences off the beaten track. Although the country has started to be noticed - partly as a...

This report is the result of Timetric's extensive market research covering the aggregates market in Portugal. It contains detailed historic and forecast market value data for the aggregates market and its categories (construction sands, gravel & pebbles, crushed stone, chippings, waste-based aggregates and pre-coated aggregates), including data by domestic production, supply balance, existing stock, imports and exports. 'Aggregates in Portugal to 2018: Market Databook' provides an overview and insight into the operating environment of the aggregates industry in Portugal. It is an essential tool for companies active across the Portuguese construction value chain and for new players who are considering entering the market.

We expect to see strong growth in the mining sector of the Middle East and North Africa over the coming years. With low base effects, governmental will to increase non-oil revenues and significant resources it appears the region is set for strong growth. We highlight Turkey and Northern Iraq as key areas for growth. That said, the region will remain peripheral in the global mining sector as it continues to underperform due to political instability in much of the region.

The Cider Market Insight Switzerland report contains detailed brand, distribution and packaging data and analysis across the Switzerland beer market for 2013. Brand and packaging volume data is available whilst value data is also available for distribution data. Text analysis reveals the drivers behind the data.

Global Markets Direct's, 'ContraFect Corporation - Product Pipeline Review - 2014', provides an overview of the ContraFect Corporation's pharmaceutical research and development focus.

Morcher Gmbh (Morcher) is a medical device company. The company develops, manufactures, and distributes implants for cataract surgery. It offers products such as capsular rings, foldable IOLs, PMMA IOLs, aniridia implants, and special implants. Morcher offers capsular rings such as capsular edge rings, capsular tension rings, capsular tension segments, cionni rings for scleral fixation, and foldable closed capsular rings. The company's special implants include diplopia implants, microphthalmus IOLs, myopia IOLs, pupil dilators, sclera foldable IOLs and sclera PMMA IOLs. It manufactures medical devices for eye surgery and the related ophthalmology. Morcher is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.

Following the ravaging of the car rental category during the Irish recession, 2013 witnessed the first signs of optimism for some time. The number of cars registered the second consecutive year of growth, and the number of operators increased in 2013 for the first time since 2004. Although it did not seem particularly strong, even flat growth (technically a negligible decline of 0.5%) in value sales was encouraging, given the double-digit losses sustained only a few years previously.

The Cider Market Insight Austria report contains detailed brand, distribution and packaging data and analysis across the Austria beer market for 2013. Brand and packaging volume data is available whilst value data is also available for distribution data. Text analysis reveals the drivers behind the data.

The Future of the Syrups & Spreads Market in Israel to 2018 is the result of Canadean's extensive market research. The report presents detailed analysis on the Syrups & Spreads consumption trends in Israel, historic and forecast Syrups & Spreads consumption volumes and values at market and category level, brand share and distribution channel data. This report brings together Canadean Intelligence's research, modeling and analysis expertise in order to develop uniquely detailed market data. This allows domestic and foreign companies to identify the market dynamics to account for Syrups & Spreads sales overall and to know which categories and segments are showing growth in the coming years.

Sales of accessories are generally in line with the trends of the apparel market as a whole. Due to their limited purchasing power, consumers are used to cutting back their expenses on non-essential products, including clothing accessories. This resulted in higher rates of decline in both volume or value terms during the year compared to other categories in apparel and footwear. A small number of consumers, especially young women, when unable to buy more expensive pieces of apparel, try to jazz up existing outfits with new accessories, even during economic downturns. As such, sales of accessories showed signs of recovery in the aftermath of the financial crisis, and recorded nominal growth in volume terms in 2013. Even brighter growth prospects are expected for the forecast period, although this rate will remain below average market growth.

This report is the result of Timetric's extensive market research covering the aggregates market in Indonesia. It contains detailed historic and forecast market value data for the aggregates market and its categories (construction sands, gravel & pebbles, crushed stone, chippings, waste-based aggregates and pre-coated aggregates), including data by domestic production, supply balance, existing stock, imports and exports. 'Aggregates in Indonesia to 2018: Market Databook' provides an overview and insight into the operating environment of the aggregates industry in Indonesia. It is an essential tool for companies active across the Indonesian construction value chain and for new players who are considering entering the market.

The Future of the Syrups & Spreads Market in Greece to 2018 is the result of Canadean's extensive market research. The report presents detailed analysis on the Syrups & Spreads consumption trends in Greece, historic and forecast Syrups & Spreads consumption volumes and values at market and category level, brand share and distribution channel data. This report brings together Canadean Intelligence's research, modeling and analysis expertise in order to develop uniquely detailed market data. This allows domestic and foreign companies to identify the market dynamics to account for Syrups & Spreads sales overall and to know which categories and segments are showing growth in the coming years.

Fragrances registered current value growth of 12% in 2013, reaching R$15.0 billion, mainly driven by price promotion, strong marketing campaigns and the introduction of new products. Special occasions such as Mother's Day, Valentines' Day and Christmas drove the sales of fragrances in the country in 2013.

The headwinds in the South African economy have weighed on both life and non-life insurers in 2014. However, we see the life sector as being able to ride out the storm better due to the more diversified footprint of the larger life insurance players across the whole of Africa. Over the 2015-2018 per iod, we expect total gross premiums to average 16.0% annual growth and we see the life segment outperforming the non-life segment during this period.

The report contains a detailed description of the power generation company's business operations, history, corporate strategy, and business structure. This report contains a detailed SWOT analysis, information on key employees (executives), and major products and services.