Star 2026-01-14

Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) reported record volumes through 2023, while the expansion and investment of its logistics systems continued. JSE-listed trade corridor focused Grindrod said Tuesday the port handled a total of 32 million tons, a 3.4% increase compared to the previous year's 30.9 million tons. To provide an indication of the relative size of the port, the Port of Durban handles about 80 million tons a year, while Rotterdam's port in the Netherlands handled 435.8 million tons in 2023. "This performance reinforces the port's position as a key regional logistics hub and reflects the resilience and efficiency of the integrated port and corridor system," said MPDC CEO Osório Lucas in a statement. In Maputo Port, Grindrod operates and manages dry bulk and automotive terminals, handling exports and imports…

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 will convene in Davos next week against what organisers describe as the most complex geopolitical backdrop since the end of World War II, with rising global tensions, economic uncertainty and rapid technological change shaping discussions at the start of the year. Unveiling key details of the meeting during a press briefing on Tuesday, WEF President and CEO Børge Brende said the gathering comes at a pivotal moment for the global economy, which has proven more resilient than many expected. “Despite the geopolitical challenges, the global economy has been very resilient,” Brende said, adding that growth of more than 3% is expected this year, an improvement on the more pessimistic outlook seen in 2025. However, he cautioned that sustaining growth would depend on…

South Africa walking a diplomatic and economic tightrope after the US House of Representatives approves extension South Africa is walking a diplomatic and economic tightrope as the proposed extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) moves from the US House of Representatives to the Senate, with analysts warning that the country’s full participation in the trade pact is far from guaranteed. The US House this week overwhelmingly approved a bill extending Agoa to 2028, a move welcomed by African exporters but clouded by lingering political tensions between Washington and Pretoria. At the heart of the uncertainty is South Africa’s insistence on maintaining an independent foreign policy, even as it faces growing pressure from the US over its geopolitical positioning and strategic partnerships. Relations have been strained by South…

Taiwan has reached a “general consensus” with the United States on a trade deal, the democratic island’s negotiators said Tuesday, after months of talks. Taiwan and the United States began negotiations in April to hash out a trade deal after US President Donald Trump slapped a 32 percent tariff on Taiwanese exports, which was later lowered to 20 percent, as part of his sweep of measures against dozens of trade partners. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has pledged to boost investment in the United States and increase defence spending as his government tries to further reduce the levy on its shipments, as well as avoid a toll on its semiconductor chip exports. “The goal of the US-Taiwan tariff negotiations has always been to seek reciprocal tariff reductions without stacking tariffs, and…

Global growth continued to improve throughout 2025, with the latest reading of 3.4% according to the Bloomberg economics global GDP tracker. US growth continues to lead the charge, with the initial estimate for the third quarter 2025 coming in at a very strong 4.3%, well above trend growth. The Atlanta Fed GDPNow forecast for the fourth quarter has deteriorated to a still very strong 3%. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill should continue to support US GDP into 2026, particularly in the first half as tax refunds will support both consumers and businesses. Other developed economies are also expected to be strong in 2026 as fiscal stimulus and rate cuts flow through to the underlying economy. Europe’s defence spending kicks into gear in 2026 but really comes in from 2027 onwards,…

Primary Health Properties (PHP) will pay out a 40.276 cents (1.825 pence) per share cash first quarterly dividend to its South African shareholders, following a positive rental growth outlook for 2023, the JSE-listed UK-based private healthcare facilities group said Tuesday. The 30th year of consecutive dividend growth had marked a transformational period, with the combination between PHP and Assura successfully delivered, creating a £6 billion healthcare REIT, the company remarked in a trading update for the 12 months to December 31, 2023. Some 60% of £9 million of synergies identified at time of the deal had already been delivered in the 2 months since Competition and Markets Authority clearance, and integration moves forward "at pace", CEO Mark Davies said. Rent reviews generated an additional £8.3m, a 6.8% increase over the…