China

Country Overview                           China is the world’s 4^th larger country, with over 9.5 millions km2, but is unrivaled as 1^st as number of citizens (1.350.000) and with a GDP at purchasing power parity of $ 11.3 trillion is the 2^nd global economy.  The Chinese is the biggest world’s car industry, with over 18 millions vehicles sold in 2011.

South Korea

Automotive sector overview                       With over 4.5 millions light passenger vehicles produced in 2010, South Korea is the world’s 5^th automotive producer. Domestic producer are Hyundai, Kia (partially controlled by Hyundai), Ssanyong, Samsung (25% controlled by Renault) and Daewoo (controlled by GM Group). South Korea domestic light vehicle industry is the 12^th globally.

Country Overview                 49 millions people living in only 100.000 km2, working hard to conquest the world: that’s the fuel of Korean growth as high-tech industrialized economy. In 2011 with a GDP (at purchasing power parity) of $ 1.554 trillion, the country is the 13^th economy globally  and the per capita GDP at $ 31.700 is 40^th ahead of countries like Italy and Spain, with a fast growing rate that project this country ahead to European Community by 2015. The unemployment rate is among the best globally (at 3.4% in 2011) with a Central Bank discount rate at 1.5% (Dec. 2011) in spite rising inflation rate (now at 4.2, was 3.0 in 2010). National Budget is producing a surplus (2,2% or $ 25.000 billions in 2011) and the Public Debt is only 22.5% of GDP (the 22th lower globally). South Korea is the world's 5^th largest nuclear power producer (2^nd in Asia). Nuclear power in South Korea supplies 45% of electricity production.  

Thailand

Country Overview                       

Thailand is a Constitutional Monarchy divided in 77 provinces and Member of ASEAN economic association. It is world's 20th country as population (67 million) and is still struggling to find a stable democratic process (current Constitution Act was issued in 2007 and could be reviewed in 2012), with thousand people killed in last years in the violence associated with southern Muslin provinces cause. Population growth rate at 0.5% annual is among lowest globally and dramatically influenced by high AIDS diffusion. In 2009 Thailand was the 13th world's country as deaths for AIDS. Urbanization is still low (34%) and people living in Bangkok is only 10% of total.

In the last 15 years Thailand growth at an average 4% rate, with a 2009 GDP 2.4% contraction due to global financial crisis impact over Thai exports. The recovery was fast, with a + 7.8% in 2008 and 4% in 2011, when the development was severely compromised by a catastrophic October flooding event in the industrial areas north of Bangkok, crippling the manufacturing sector.

Automotive Industry

the sector is employing over 300,000 people, generating 12% of the national GDP and is the country biggest manufacturing sectors. Ford, GM, BMW, Daimler, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Toyota, Isuzu, Honda and Nissan have established presence in the country. In the 2000 only 411.000 light vehicles were produced in the country, the 0.7% of global production. Ten years later, the 1.6 million units produced were the 2.1% of global production, with Thailand first Pick up models producer.

Malaysia

Country Overview

Malaysia is a young State, born in the 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation of Malaya, independent from Great Britain since 1957. Malaysia today is an aggregate of over 29 millions people, of many different ethnics groups (Malays are 50%), religions (Muslim are 60%), languages. The State is a constitution Monarchy, with Kuala Lampur as capital.

Until few years ago Malaysia was a producer of raw materials exported in developed countries, while in recent years the internal use of abundant natural resources has been used to create a dynamic and emerging local economy driven by sectors like Financial, high technology industries, biotechnology, and services. However Exports remain a significant economy driver, particularly for electronics, oil, gas, palm oil and rubber.

The recent progressive increase of world energy prices was a great profit opportunity for Malaysia, in spite is also creating pressure on internal cost of gasoline and diesel fuel with negative impact of economy growth.

With purchasing power parity GDP of $ 447 billion, Malaysia is the 30th global economy, while growing rate of 5.2 and 7.2 respectively for 2011 and 2010 prove a growing speed above the average projecting the country to be in the Top Rank as emerging countries for the next decade.

Pro capita GDP at $ 15.600 (2011) is fast growing (in 2009 was $ 14.200) and combined with low unemployment rate (3.1 in 2011) and low interest rate (Central Bank discount rate at 2.8) are fueling commodity goods purchase.

India

Country Overview

India is the 7th largest global country with 3.3 million square kilometers and the 2nd as population with 1.2 billion people. In spite in recent years the country lived a strong economic development it is too early to consider the country "developed". Indeed inside India there are thousand different realities. The level of urbanization is still low (30%), while the India Metropolis are among the largest and more dynamics in the world.

National GDP in the period 1998-2008 grew by 7% in average and in spite negative impact of 2008 global financial crisis, India continued to growth. In 2011 the Total GDP was $ 1.843 trillion, 7.8% up on previous year. However the pro capite income remains very low, at $3.700 (at purchasing power parity). However persistent high inflation rate (6.8% in 2011, 12.0 in 2010), high bureaucracy and petrol price increase have increased the level of Government's fuel subsidy expenditures increasing National Deficit (5% in 2011).

Widespread poverty, inadequate infrastructure, limited employment opportunities are the key issue to face in the country want to really become a Global Leading player.

Car industry overview

India automotive industry is the 2nd globally as two wheels, with around 80% of vehicles on the roads that are two wheelers. This will not change in the next decade, considering the infrastructure development is very slow as the pro capita income growth.

As car manufacturer India is growing with an exceptional speed. In 2003 national production for the first time exceeded the 1 million yearly production. In 2006 it exceeded the 2 million, and in 2010 the 3 million. In 2011 with 3.9 million vehicles, India was the 6th largest global car manufacturer. In last four years, India production increased by 68%, second only to China.

Domestic light passenger market at 2.571.000 units was the world's 8th in the 2011.

Philippines

Country Overview

The Republic of Philippine consists in a large archipelago made up of 7,107 islands favorably located in the Southeast Asia's Pacific Ocean. The country is Member of ASEAN. With 103 millions people (12th globally) and a crowd capital in Manila (11 million citizens) the country is not yet able to sustain all population and large emigration process is still relevant. With a purchase power parity GDP of $ 390 billion (2011 est.) Philippine is the 33rd global economy with huge growing potential. Pro capita revenue of $ 4.100 is one of lowest globally and level of poverty is still very high (1/3 of people). On this the effects of natural floods have a relevant part.

The country economy is based on domestic consumption and large remittance from 45 millions people emigrated. Exports are low compared with the rest of South Asian regions. Government is working to reduce public debt (now at 50% of GDP) to increase sovereign debt ratings and provide incentives global capital joining the country for new investments.

Pakistan

Country Overview

The large territory around Indus Valley including Pakistan, Bangladesh and India has seen the flourish of human civilization, more than 5.000 years ago. For centuries, it was under the British Empire dominion. When it became independent, after World War II ended, Pakistan and India started fighting each other because of religious differences.

During the last 60 years, Pakistan's development has been deeply influenced by the antagonism with India that also generated 3 military wars, the last in 1971. Nowadays, the tensions are still high and are constraining the civil, religious, democratic and economic development of Pakistan.

The permanent civil war in neighboring Afghanistan is also creating huge issues for Pakistan, with thousands of people arriving to escape war and poverty. Pakistan has been appointed as a non-permanent UN Security Council member for the period 2012-2013, as a sign of fundamental role the country plays in the Middle East peace process.

Pakistan is the world's 6th most populated country, with over 190 million people, more than half of which are living below the poverty level (UN Human Development in 2011 report).

The economy is still based on agricultural activities, while half of the country's exports come from the textile sector. Unemployment is particularly high, despite official data indicating it is only 6%.

The country is living with high economic and political instability, with the currency depreciating by over 40% in last 5 years and inflation above 13%. As a result, per capita income is one of the lowest worldwide, at only $2.800 in 2011, and is not growing.

Oman

Country Overview

Occupying the south-east corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has a strategically important position at the mouth of the Gulf. After deposing his father in 1970, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said opened up the country, embarked on economic reforms and boosted spending on health, education and welfare. The economy is highly depended by oil, in spite Oman is a small modest producer. Other relevant sectors are agriculture, fishing and tourism, recently increased thanks to the beauties of the country, with untouched coastline, mountains, deserts, forts and ancient cities.

The country has so far been spared the militant Islamist violence that has plagued some of its neighbors. It has long been a useful Arab ally to Washington, not least because of its steady relations with Iran. Oman has not been immune from the groundswell of political dissent in the region. Protests in 2011 demanding reforms were dispersed by riot police.

The 3 million citizens have a pro capita income of US $ 26.200 (in 2011). Inflation rate is at 4% while the public debt is only at 4% of GDP. Economy is in a positive momentum and after a 4% increase posted in 2010 and 2011, the current year is projected above 6%.

Qatar

Country Overview

The emirate of Qatar is a small peninsula of 11.500 square kilometers placed in the Persian Gulf, with around 2 million people, of whom only 40% are Arabs and over 36% are original of Hindu Valley.

Since the independence (1971) Qatar prospered thanks to the large crude oil reserves, but in the last ten years a strong plan has been realized to develop financial and service sectors, increasing private and foreign investments in the non-energy sectors. In the 2011, the oil & gas sector counted 50% of GDP and 85% of exports. The GDP was US $ 182 billion with an astonishing 18.7% increase (it was 16.6% in 2010 and 12.0% in 2009), with a pro capita income of US $ 102.700 (the world's second), more than double than USA. Unemployment is at zero, of course!

Qatar's has been chosen as site for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and this task will accelerate large-scale infrastructure developments such as Qatar's metro system and the Qatar-Bahrain highway.

Middle East

Singapore

Country Overview

The Singapore Republic, founded as a British trading colony in 1819, is an independent state since 1965. Built on a small territory of only 697 square kilometers (world's 192nd), Singapore developed a unique trading activity becoming one of the biggest global port as tonnage. In the last 50 years, the country developed also a powerful activity in banking and services sectors. Actually, 5.3 million people (world's 114th) are living there with one of highest pro capita revenue (US $ 60.500 in the 2011, the world's 5th)

The annual GDP of US $ 319 billion (2011) is the world's 40th with low unemployment rate (in 2011 at 2%) and controlled inflation rate (in 2011 at 5.2%). However, the Public debt is particularly high, with a ratio of 118% over annual GDP, but Singapore governments did not care too much about is.

The transportation network is fully developed with 9 airports and over 3.000 km of roadways. Circulating car park in the 2011 was around 600.000 units.

Myanmar

Myanmar is the world's 24th country as citizens (54 million) while only the 77th as GDP, with a pro capita income at only US $ 1.600, the world's 224th. This is one of the country were poverty is touchable, in spite of various natural resources, as effect of a long blind dictatorship.