The International Monetary Fund warned that the global economy is entering 2022 in a weaker position than previously expected as it downgraded its global growth outlook largely due to clouds gathering over the recoveries in the United States and China. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook calls for the global growth to downshift from 5.9 per cent in 2021 to 4.4 per cent this year. The Fund saw the US economy growing 4.0 per cent this year while China’s economy grew 4.8 per cent this year thanks to the country’s business-sapping, zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy, and ongoing stress in its heavily indebted property sector.
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Microsoft Boasts Quarterly Revenue On Cloud Growth
Microsoft Corp exceeded analysts’ expectations for second-quarter revenue on Tuesday, propelled by strong demand for its cloud-based services from more businesses migrating to hybrid work models due to the coronavirus pandemic. Microsoft has become one of the most valuable companies in the world by betting heavily on corporate software and services, especially its cloud services and the movement to the web of its Outlook email and calendar software, known as Office 365. Revenue from Microsoft’s biggest segment, which offers cloud services and includes Azure, its flagship cloud offering, rose 26 per cent, while the business that houses its Office 365 services increased 19 per cent in the quarter.
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The US Says Putin May Face Sanctions
US President Joe Biden says he would consider imposing economic sanctions personally targeting Vladimir Putin if the Russian president orders a new attack on Ukraine. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged European allies to have sanctions ready to go if Russia invades Ukraine. Russia has amassed some 100,000 troops within reach of Ukraine’s border but denies planning an invasion. Instead, it has cited the Western response to its military buildup as evidence that Russia is the target of aggression.
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Zimbabwe Committed to Ending Zimdollar Volatility
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe held a crisis meeting with captains of industry on Monday at which they pledged a commitment to work closely in curbing the parallel market exchange rate volatility. The central bank governor, John Mangudya says both parties acknowledged the positive economic achievements made so far which include year on year inflation reduction to end the year at 60,7% from 348,6% recorded in 2020 with local manufacturing production going to 80% of products on the market were locally produced. Mnagudya says the Bank should continue fighting inflation through restrictive monetary policy and building foreign exchange reserves as a way of augmenting the defence of the value of the local currency.
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Kenya Extends Avocado Export Ban
Kenyan growers and exporters dealing in the avocado export business face an indefinite ban on the export of Hass and Fuerta varieties. Kenya Agriculture and Food authority director, Benjamin Tito noted that the ban, which took effect on November 15, 2021, is aimed at curbing the harvest and export of immature avocados. The food regulator noted the ban will remain in effect in order to control the export of immature avocadoes which have negatively impacted the image of the commodity in overseas markets. It further warned that exporters who use marketing agents without valid registration permits shall have their licenses revoked.
USA