ReleaseWire

South African wind energy is poised for large growth. The country has large wind potential, economy is growing, and the government is also promoting the use of renewable energy. The current electricity supply is dominated by coal, which accounts for close to 90% of the total capacity. However, coal generation is marred with issues such as price hikes and emissions. Therefore, the country will have to explore additional sources of power such as gas and renewable energy. Wind power has tremendous potential, but tapping this increasingly attractive source requires encouraging and consistently supportive policy mechanisms. With favorable FITs, investment sops, incentives for wind energy projects and investments in supportive infrastructure, the wind industry in South Africa can be considered a promising business market. We estimate the market will grow even beyond the government's current target and reach 10.7 GW by 2030.

BMI View: Although Qatari petrochemicals margins remain relatively healthy and petrochemicals prices are returning to near pre-crisis levels, there is the persistent downside risk that a potential double-dip global recession may impact Qatari petrochemicals production. Qatar is highly exposed to the Asian markets, particularly China, which is its main customer. With the rate of petrochemicals capacity additions slowing following a surge in 2009 and 2010, continued Chinese demand growth should support acceleration in the global petrochemicals trade and support Qatar's operating rates over 2012 and 2013.

Concerns about global warming are growing, leading to an increased emphasis on efficient, less carbon-intensive resources to replace conventional fossil fuel resources. Increased policy support to drive up use of renewable energy in power generation has induced the need with power generators to consider integrating them with alternatives that will enhance their reliability. Technological developments for increasing the efficiency and flexibility of power plant operations have resulted in the development of power plants with multi-fuel flexibility which can be used for co-firing renewables with conventional fossil fuels. However, with growing focus and continued policy support towards the development of renewable energy and curtailing carbon emissions, the share of thermal power in the energy mix will keep declining. Therefore, introducing fuel-flexibility for the use of renewables with conventional thermal power generation will become essential for the sustenance of fossil fuels in the future energy mix.

While defence spending in much of the western world may be in the doldrums, Brazil continues to pour investment into its armed forces, albeit at a slower pace than perhaps previously forecast to take account of current economic circumstances.

BMI View: The major players in Asian power supply are clamouring to invest in Cambodia, with the result that huge capacity expansion can be expected from around 2015, as hydro, gas and coal-based schemes are brought into play. This will leave the country with plentiful spare generation, even if there are several years of 8-10% annual average demand growth. Neighbouring Vietnam, which will finance a number of power projects, plans to make use of Cambodia's potential export capability, as does Thailand.

In 2011 retail sales of childrenswear reached C$3.2 billion, and grew by 3% in current value terms and 1% in volume. This performance represented an improvement from the peak of the decline seen during the recession of 2008/2009, and slow 2010 sales. However, the growth rate is also significantly below that registered in pre-recessionary Canada.

This market research report offers an in-depth perspective on the actual market situation, trends and future outlook for cement in China. The analysis provides essential market information for decision-makers including:

Malaysia's post-recession economic recovery was hit by the stock market crisis in Europe and the US in 2011. This caused many companies to use cost-cutting strategies, such as reducing the number of employees in the second half of 2011. Job instability forced some consumers to reduce unnecessary spending, such as travel. Hence, the growth in departures slowed in 2011. However, the increasing promotion of the country's hugely diverse tourism offer, such as diving and ecotourism, by Tourism...

The paints and varnishes market in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries valued over US$29 billion in 2011, representing an increase of 56.3% from the value recorded in 2007. The market recorded positive annual growth rates every year during the review period (2007-2011), apart from in 2009 when it declined by 3.2% due to the adverse impact of the global economic crisis. Water-based paints and varnishes accounted for the largest share of the BRIC paints and varnishes market in 2011 with a market share of 46.4%. The second-largest category in the market was solvent-based paints and varnishes, which recorded a market share of 26.6%. China was the largest paints and varnishes market among the BRIC countries during the review period. The Chinese paints and varnishes market grew rapidly and recorded a CAGR of 16.90% during the review period.

Calming and sleeping products increased by 3% in current value terms in 2011. Busy and hectic lifestyles provoked stress and sleeping problems, which encouraged consumers to look for ways to relax by using herbal calming and sleeping products in Finland. Awareness of these products continued to increase, bringing more customers to the category.

This report presents the findings of research into the growth of this payment technology in key regions around the world. The picture that emerges is one of fragmentation and complex commercial models, with a marked lag between contactless card issuance and merchant acceptance, even in those markets considered to be well developed. In the US for example, there are around 100m contactless cards in issue, yet only a relatively small percentage of merchant outlets are reported to accept this form of payment, despite it being available for nearly ten years. Migration to chip and PIN is a more emotive topic in the US, with retailing giant Walmart making its position clear in the media as being in support of this more secure payment method, ahead of the introduction of contactless payments. This makes sense when the level of plastic card fraud in the US is taken into consideration. The push for migration is also in line with the strategic aims of large retailers to gain a greater share of consumers' wallets by broadening the range of products and services offered in stores. Merchant acceptance of this payment methodology, alongside the issuance of cards and other payment devices, is crucial to the success of contactless payments. The majority of merchants are unlikely to be willing to fund the migration to contactless payments unless a clear business case and short payback period can be identified to them. In a number of countries, for example, Turkey and the UK, the card issuers and payment processing companies are footing the bill for the introduction of the required technology, and this will need to continue in order to increase merchant acceptance of contactless payments until the benefits of migration have been conveyed.

During 2011 and 2012, the Australian reinsurance segment recorded an increase in reinsurance rates due to the natural disasters that occurred during 2010 and 2011. Australia was affected by eight natural disasters in 2010, which included five floods, a tropical cyclone and two major storms. The worst of these events was the Queensland floods that occurred in December 2010.

During such difficult financial times, where the economic environment remains volatile, debt collection agencies can only rely on the methods and strategies that they employ to increase the rates of debt collection and recovery. Debt collectors are faced with a multitude of challenges: external economic pressure, consumers with rising delinquency rates who are also faced with multiple credit relationships, and increasing competition in the debt collection agency. Considering this, obtaining a deep understanding on the various strategies in collecting debt implemented in various countries is a must to help improve debt collection rates and contribute to a rapid recovery from the global economic crisis. Different countries address debt collection in a myriad of ways such as through field visits, a third party debt collector, buying and selling of debts, and regular and constant reminders via multiple communication channels. There are also some who utilise threats and send lawsuits. The wide variation of debt collection practises makes it even more important to study and analyse each one of them so as to obtain a deeper understanding of the debt collection industry, financial industry, and banking industry.

India's GDP grew at an annual growth rate of 8% in 2011 and has a strong growth outlook. This makes the country an attractive investment location for wealth management firms. India has the main components that comprise a high-growth wealth management market, including: a very large and young affluent customer base, an improving wealth situation among global Indians, a goal to more tightly regulate financial services by the Indian government, and an increasing share of organized companies compared to the unorganized workforce. India currently has the fourth-largest number of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in the Asia-Pacific region, after Japan, China and Australia. There were over 250,000 HNWIs in India, which cumulatively owned assets that valued over US$1 trillion in 2011. The volume of HNWIs in India increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.20% during the review period (2007-2011), while the total HNWI wealth increased in value at a CAGR of 2.47%.

Vodka in Asia-Pacific to 2016: Market Guide provides in-depth detail on the trends and drivers of the Vodka market in Asia-Pacific. The report includes quantitative information (historic and forecast market values), as well as data, to help companies in the Alcoholic Drinks industry better understand the changes in their environment, seize opportunities and formulate crucial business strategies.

Canadean's, "Brandy in Poland to 2016: Databook" contains detailed historic and forecast Brandy consumption analysis, segmented at a category level. It provides year on year growth figures for the different types of Brandy available in Poland , as well as volume data based on price segments and alcoholic strength. This report reviews the latest industry trends both for overall products as well as leading market players, which makes it an essential tool for companies active across the Poland alcoholic drinks value chain and for new players considering entering the market.

Canadean's, "Books, News and Stationery Retailing in Germany: Databook to 2016" contains detailed historic and forecast retail sales values, segmented at a category level. The report takes into account macroeconomic indicators and industry-specific drivers to provide data that helps companies in the Retailing industry better understand the changes in their environment, seize opportunities and formulate crucial business strategies.

GlobalData's mining industry offering, 'Asia-Pacific Uranium Mining Regulatory and Fiscal Regime Report, 2012 - Regulatory Framework, Rights and Obligations and Key Fiscal Terms' provides an understanding of the regulatory framework and fiscal regime of the Asia-Pacific uranium mining industry, comprising Kazakhstan, Australia, Uzbekistan, China and India. The report includes information about the governing authorities, governing laws and key fiscal terms pertaining to the uranium mining industry in the respective countries, with a brief overview of the relevant uranium mining industries. 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.

GBI Research's report, "Ambient Energy Harvesters Market to 2016 - Replacement of Batteries for Low Power Applications Creates Growth Opportunities", provides key information and analysis of market opportunities in the ambient energy harvesters (AEHs) market. The report provides information on industry dynamics, key suppliers, and the sales revenue and sales volume of AEHs. The report also provides forecasts for energy harvesting based on type, region and end-application until 2016. Market size forecasts until 2016 are provided for photovoltaic energy harvesters, electromagnetic energy harvesters, piezoelectric energy harvesters and thermoelectric energy harvesters. The following application markets for energy harvesters are also discussed: consumer electronics, industrial and building automation, and military and aerospace.

GlobalData's new report, "Cyberonics, Inc. Market Share Analysis" provides in-depth information on Cyberonics, Inc.'s market position in the different medical equipment markets it operates in. The report provides Cyberonics, Inc. market share information in one key market category - Neurostimulation 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.

The Grandchild Flexible Plan continues Scottish Friendly’s tradition of innovation in the family savings genre of investment products. Increasingly in the current economic environment, the older generation are playing an important role in helping young family members financially; from contributing to university fees, to helping them onto the property ladder.

Known for ease-of-use and affordability (priced from $39, free through TrialPay offer), ezCheckPrinting check writer software from halfpricesoft.com is highly popular with small to mid-sized corporations, government agencies, non-profits and financial institutions. Quicken users can now save time and money on check printing with the new edition of ezCheckPrinting. The new edition makes it even easier to work with Quicken in the following two ways:

New Jersey-based Cross River Bank implements CLOUDecision’s revolutionary, cloud-based financial analytics software, a first-of-its-kind solution to help community banks comply with federal regulations and replace legacy software platforms.

Cars break down. Car lights go dark. Headlights and other car lights, eventually, need to be replaced. In this economy, fixing a car can stress the family budget. That's where Prime Choice Auto Parts comes in. Recognizing the need for discount auto parts, Prime Choice Auto Parts, responding to that need and to customer feedback, has introduced low-cost, cheap car parts for their customers.

The village of Greenwood Lake, New York (GWL) welcomed locals to a special red carpet premiere of Rob Reiner’s film “The Magic of Belle Isle.” The starring cast includes Hollywood icons Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen who took up residency in Greenwood Lake where the movie was filmed last summer. The special pre-screening allowed for the “Re-coming of age story” to be projected on a massive lakeside screen as a thank you to the community residents for their hospitality. Director Rob Reiner and Morgan Freeman sent a personalized preview to the film that documented their unforgettable experiences while shooting in GWL and showed immense gratitude and admiration for the most stunning enclave in the Hudson Valley.