Compilation of Frontier Market related articles across the web from 16th September 2019 to 22nd September 2019. Last week’s addition can be found here.

A Vietnam ETF To Consider Amid US-China Trade Conflict

Despite the ongoing US-China trade war dampening gains across Emerging and Frontier Markets, Vietnam is well-positioned to be a major recipient and the VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM B) as been touted by etfdb.com as a way for investors to gain exposure to the market.

 

Sri Lanka Banks Vulnerable To Property Market Downturn: Fitch

Sri Lankan banks are more exposed to a downturn in the property market due to increased lending in the sector and a weak ability to absorb losses, according to Fitch Ratings. Other Frontier Markets, such as Mongolia and Vietnam, are also at risk due to low loss-absorption buffers, while Australia and New Zealand are the most exposed countries to property stress.

 

Japanese Multinational Ishida Picks Kenya As Hub

Ishida, a Japanese multinational that specialises in manufacturing food packing machinery, has launched its operations in Kenya with the objective of tapping into the country’s manufacturing sector. The company selected Kenya after taking part in a number of trade missions across Africa, including Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda.

 

Ethiopia and Kenya Ranked Regions Top FDI Destinations

East African countries have been taking steps to improve and adopt business-friendly practices across the region in a bid to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). According to a report by Ernst & Young, Ethiopia attracted $7bn in FDI in 2018, compared to Kenya’s $2bn and Tanzania’s $1bn.

 

UAE Businesses Promise $10 Billion Investment In Bangladesh

Investors based in the United Arab Emirates have pledged up to $10 billion to invest in new projects in Bangladesh, primarily in energy, ports, power and infrastructure sectors in an efforts to spur economic growth.

 

Kazakh Financial Firm Kaspi.kz Plans London Listing This Year

Kaspi.kz, the financial group that controls Kazakhstan’s third-largest lender Kaspi Bank, said that it is planning to list its shares on the London Stock Exchange this year in the form of global depository receipts (GDRs).

 

Vietnam Ranks Eighth On List Of Best Countries To Invest In

U.S News & World Report released the ranking of the best countries to invest in, with Vietnam ranking in the Top 10 and occupying 8th position.

 

Rwanda Economy Registers 12.2% Growth In 2019 Second Quarter

Rwanada’s economy grew by 12.2% in Q2 of 2019 according to statistic from the National Institute of Statistic of Rwanda (NISR). The industrial sector was the strongest performer after recording a growth of 21%, while the service sector (12%) and agricultural sector (5%) also performed well during the second quarter.

 

Webinar – Frontier Markets: Accessing Growth While Limiting Risk

Register to join author, journalist and New Market Media’s Gavin Serkin and East Capital’s Portfolio Advisor Emre Akcakmak’s Webinar “Frontier Markets: Accessing Growth While Limiting Risk” on Wednesday 25th September 2019 at 10am (BST).