GDP UPDATE HEADLINES

January 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AMERICAS

ASIA

EUROPE / AFRICA / MIDDLE EAST

AMERICAS

Cuba

Alfonso Morre has spent nine years studying mechanics and civil engineering in order to become — a Havana taxi driver. Following President Barack Obama’s decision to ease the embargo on Cuba, he is hoping for something better.

Driving a 26-year-old Russian-made Lada through the cobbled streets of Cuba’s capital, Morre says he needs his engineering degree just to keep the car on the road. That may be about to change.

“Hopefully, once the U.S. trade opens up, companies will come here looking for engineers,” Morre, 33, said. “Once the new cars and spare parts start coming in, you won’t need to be an engineer to run a taxi here.”

Morre is one of the army of university-educated Cubans stuck in manual jobs such as hotel laundry or waiting tables. Their skills will be a big draw for companies looking for investment opportunities in the island should the U.S. agree to end the trade embargo that started in 1961, said Philip Brenner, a professor of international relations at American University in Washington.

“The Cuban development model is going to be based on high value-added production by an educated population,” Brenner said. “No one in Cuba is talking about a future scenario of making baseballs in sweatshops. They have people who would be adept in pharmaceuticals, computer engineering and advanced mechanical machinery.”

Cuba’s economic growth has slowed to 1.3% this year, almost half the official target and down from 2.7% in 2013, according to government data.

Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced the plans to re-establish diplomatic ties, release some prisoners and work to ease a five-decade old embargo on Dec. 17.

Laundry lady Lucila Gomez, 62, hopes the move will lead to the re-opening of the pajama factory she used to supervise in Havana. After getting a degree at Moscow State Textile University and working in Bulgaria, Gomez now irons tourist shirts in the Havana Libre hotel.

“Hopefully I won’t have to end my career doing laundry,” she said.

Decades of Soviet investment in Cuba’s education system have brought universal literacy to the island, with about 100,000 people trained at Russian and Ukrainian universities out of a population of 11.3 million.

Eighty percent of college-aged Cubans were enrolled in post-secondary education in 2011, the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean, compared with 75% in Argentina, 71% in Chile and 29% for Mexico, according to the United Nations.

There is a special focus on hard sciences like medicine and engineering, an investment in human capital that has helped the country stay afloat since the end of subsidies from the Soviet Union. About 30,000 Cuban doctors work in Venezuela to help pay for the approximately 100,000 barrels a day of oil the South American country supplied to Cuba in 2013.

In the central province of Cienfuegos, Brazilian contractor Helio Piza is supervising 60 Cuban workers running a 30-year-old sugar plant without any spare parts.

“The level of academic preparation here is very high,” Piza said in an interview in his office in the Fifth of September plant on Dec. 29. “Education allows Cubans to be ingenious with the little they have available.”… (The remaining text is not included in this sample.)

ASIA

Singapore

The city-state’s economy expanded less than economists’ estimated last quarter after its manufacturing industry weakened with slowing growth in China and an uneven global recovery.

Gross domestic product rose an annualized 1.6% in the three months to Dec 31 from the previous quarter, when it expanded 3.1%, the trade ministry said in a statement. The median of five estimates in a Bloomberg News survey was for a 3% expansion.

Singapore's productivity growth has been weak, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Dec 31, and the trade ministry has said the economic outlook for 2015 is "modest" with a tight labor market restraining some industries. The export-dependent island is also adjusting to a China on track to record its weakest full-year growth in almost a quarter century, even as the US saw its biggest expansion in more than a decade in the third quarter.

"It caps a pretty moderate year for growth," said Michael Wan, a Singapore-based economist at Credit Suisse Group AG, who predicts the Southeast Asian nation will expand 3.5% in 2015. "China's slowing, Japan's pretty moribund, Europe's still essentially going nowhere," with only the U.S. providing some relief in the global economy…(The remaining text is not included in this sample.)

EUROPE / AFRICA / MIDDLE EAST

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has overtaken France to become the fifth largest economy in the world after the money made from prostitution and drugs was counted in the GDP figure for the first time.

Britain's economy is expected to be worth a total £1.86trillion in 2014 - up from £1.63trillion the previous year - compared to £1.82trillion in France, new calculations reveal.

Government figures show that prostitution added about £4.3billion to the economy while illegal drugs provided a roughly £6.7billion boost.

The darker corners of the economy are now being counted - alongside traditional sectors such as farming and financial services - as part of an overhaul in the way economic activity is measured

This year is the first time that the GDP - an economic estimate produced every three months by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) - has included the money made from illegal drugs and sex work.

The change, which was introduced as part of EU rules implemented earlier this year, means that a booming sex trade or an expansion in the market for illegal drugs can boost the Chancellor's outlook.

These more inclusive figures edged the nation ahead of France in world rankings when they were used in calculations of the size of the UK's economy…(The remaining text is not included in this sample.)

 

A complete analysis of GDP and monthly updates for individual countries are included as part of the Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals: World Market

For more information on Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals: World Market http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/markets/27-water/449-n026-water-and-wastewater-treatment-chemicals

OIL & GAS SALES LEADS HEADLINES

January 19, 2015

Oil and Gas Project Tracking is available at a discount to Water & Wastewater Treatment Chemicals World Market subscribers.

Treatment chemicals are an important addition to most oil and gas processes. Access to details on the worldwide oil and gas projects is provided at a substantial discount to Water & Wastewater Treatment Chemicals World Market subscribers.

(Listed by most current date)

Canadian Natural Resources Defers Kirby Oil Sands Thermal Project

Revision Date:  1/19/2015

In Situ Oilsands Production Reaches Record High in October

Revision Date:  1/16/2015

Oil's Plunge Threatens Suncor's Fort Hills Development

Revision Date:  1/16/2015

Canada’s Oil-Sands Operators Dig in for Long Haul as Oil Prices Go Below $50

Revision Date:  1/16/2015

ICA Fluor to Build Delayed Coker at Pemex Hidalgo Refinery

Revision Date:  1/16/2015

The Other Oil Sands Fight in Utah with Possible Solution to Lower Environmental Impact

Revision Date:  1/16/2015

New Alberta Oil Sands $1.3 Bln Contract Awarded to Fluor Corp

Revision Date:  1/15/2015

Oilsands Lead not seeping into Rivers According to University of Alberta Lab Tests

Revision Date:  1/15/2015

Canada’s Oil Sands Industry Goes on Offensive after Facing Escalating Pushback

Revision Date:  1/15/2015

Oilsands Tailings Ponds Emit Pollutants into the Air, Study Confirms

Revision Date:  1/15/2015

Emerson Awarded $27 Mln Contract to Automate Long Lake Oil Sands Project

Revision Date:  1/15/2015

EU Vote Puts Canadian Tar Sands Label Back on the Agenda

Revision Date:  1/15/2015

Kearl Oilsands Project to Suspend Output for Several Weeks after Malfunction

Revision Date:  1/14/2015

Canada Sticks to its Line on the Oil Sands at UN Climate Summit

Revision Date:  1/14/2015

Canada’s Oil Sands Producers Promise Steps to Cut Pollution

Revision Date:  1/14/2015

Cenovus Gets Approval for Alberta Telephone Lake Oil Sands Project

Revision Date:  1/14/2015

ICA Fluor Awarded Fabrication Contract for Shell's Carmon Creek Heavy Oil Extraction Project

Revision Date:  1/14/2015

Iran to Inaugurate Petrochemical Plant in Its Northwest

Revision Date:  1/13/2015

Saudi Arabia to Invest $91 Bln to Spur Petrochemical Industry

Revision Date:  1/13/2015

BMI Report Says Malaysia Petrochemicals Capacity to Undergo Major Increase

Revision Date:  1/13/2015

Report Says Iran to Triple Petrochemical Production to 180Mln Tons by 2022

Revision Date:  1/12/2015

Petki to Float Paraxylene Tenders in January after 6 Months Gap

Revision Date:  1/12/2015

Iran to Resume Exporting Petrochemicals after U.S. Ban

Revision Date:  1/12/2015

Propylene Unit Reaches Capacity in Russia due to UOP C3 Oleflex™ Process Technology

Revision Date:  1/12/2015

Alfa Laval Wins Heat Exchanger Order for South Korea Petrochemical Plant

Revision Date:  1/12/2015

U.S. Chemical Industry Set to Outpace Overall Economic Growth

Revision Date:  1/9/2015

Chevron Phillips Completes Sweeny Ethylene Expansion

Revision Date:  1/9/2015

China Commissions UOP C3 Oleflex™ Process Technology for Propylene Unit

Revision Date:  1/8/2015

Sasol Announces Financing Milestone for Louisiana Project

Revision Date:  1/8/2015

Japan to Shut Four Naphtha Crackers for 2015 Turnaround

Revision Date:  1/8/2015

Vietnam to Grant License for $22 Bln Refinery, Petchem Complex Early in 2015

Revision Date:  1/8/2015

Versalis Inks Agreement to Transfer Sarroch Plants in Sardinia to Sarlux

Revision Date:  1/7/2015

Etileno XXI Plant Could Revive Mexico's Petrochemical Sector

Revision Date:  1/7/2015

Asia Key Driver in Qatar Petrochemicals Expansion

Revision Date:  1/7/2015

India's BPCL to Invest Over $741 Mln in Petrochemicals Business

Revision Date:  1/6/2015

Linde Installs Gasifier Vessel at Texas Facility

Revision Date:  1/6/2015

Ineos, Sasol Break Ground on Texas HDPE Project

Revision Date:  1/6/2015

Weatherford Sells Chemicals, Drilling Fluids Units to Lubrizol for $750 Mln

Revision Date:  1/6/2015

German Chemicals Sector Sees 1.5 Pct Sales Growth in '14 and '15

Revision Date:  1/6/2015

Chevron Phillips Says Petchem Industry Should Enhance Connectivity with Social Media

Revision Date:  1/6/2015

Saudi's Yansab to Shut Ethylene Glycol Plant in April for Maintenance

Revision Date:  1/6/2015

Westlake Chemical to Add Ethylene Capacity in Lake Charles

Revision Date:  1/5/2015

Saudi's SABIC, Shell Shelve Petchem Plant Expansion in Jubail

Revision Date:  1/5/2015

Dow Chemicals to Cut $1 Bln in Costs Over 3 Years

Revision Date:  1/5/2015

North Dakota Group, Badlands NGL Plans $4 Bln Chemical Plant

Revision Date:  1/5/2015

Chemtura Expands Antioxidant Capacity for Auto Industry Demand Growth

Revision Date:  1/5/2015

U.S. Manufacturing Exports Surging due to Shale Gas

Revision Date:  1/5/2015

Ineos Plans $1 Bln Investment in UK Shale Gas Exploration

Revision Date:  1/5/2015

Sasol Gives Go-ahead to $8.1 Bln U.S. Ethane Cracker

Revision Date:  1/5/2015

Louisiana Ethane Cracker Project Goes to Fluor-Technip JV

Revision Date:  1/4/2015

Petchems Are Benefiting from Cheap Feedstocks

Revision Date:  1/4/2015

Gulf Coast Growth Spurs Demand for Cleaning, Environmental Services - Revision Date:  1/4/2015

Williams Partners Louisiana Plant Should Start Producing Ethylene in November

Revision Date:  1/3/2015

Catalytic Processes Could Yield Alternatives to Refineries, Ethane Crackers

Revision Date:  1/3/2015

European Petchem Group's Re-branding: More Than a New Name

Revision Date:  1/3/2015

BG Group’s Queensland Curtis LNG Second Train on Track

Revision Date:  1/2/2015

Bechtel Completes Milestone Module Program for Curtis Island LNG Projects

Revision Date:  1/2/2015

BG Group Loads First Coal-seam-gas to LNG Cargo from QCLNG Project in Australia

Revision Date:  1/2/2015

Venture Global LNG Announces Calcasieu Pass Export Facility in Southwestern Louisiana

Revision Date:  1/2/2015

Freeport LNG Closes Financing, Begins Construction of Initial Two Liquefaction Trains

Revision Date:  1/1/2015

LNG Canada Selects GE Oil & Gas LMS100 Gas Turbine-Compressor Technology for Proposed Kitmat Facility - Revision Date:  1/1/2015

Canadian Aboriginal Group Signs $5.3 Mln Deal to Support LNG Pipeline

Revision Date:  1/1/2015

Eni Signs Small-scale LNG Deal with Skangass

Revision Date:  1/1/2015

Santos Reassures on Costs at $18.5 Bln Gladstone LNG Project

Revision Date:  1/1/2015

Freeport LNG Receives Final FERC and DOE Approvals

Revision Date:  12/31/2014

Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline Receives Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Revision Date:  12/31/2014

5th and final installment: Exclusive Platts Series on China’s Shandong “Teapot” Oil Refineries

Revision Date:  12/31/2014

Air Products to Work with Technip on Inner Mongolia LNG Project

Revision Date:  12/31/2014

Dominion Begins Construction Activities for Cove Point LNG Export Project

Revision Date:  12/31/2014

Applied LNG Announces Midlothian LNG Plant Groundbreaking

Revision Date:  12/31/2014

British Columbia Approves $11 Bln Petronas LNG Project, Two Gas Pipelines

Revision Date:  12/31/2014

For more information on Oil, Gas, Shale and Refining Markets and Projects click on:  http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/markets/28-energy/471-n049

For more information on Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals:  World Market http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/markets/27-water/449-n026-water-and-wastewater-treatment-chemicals

CHEMICAL UPDATE HEADLINES

December 2014

INDUSTRY NEWS

 COMPANY NEWS

 MERGERS/ ACQUISITIONS

For more information on Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals: World Market
Click on:  http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/markets/27-water/449-n026-water-and-wastewater-treatment-chemicals

WORLD MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS

UPDATE HEADLINES

January 2015

This monthly update is devoted to wastewater infrastructure news around the world, outside of the United States and Canada, and is meant to complement McIlvaine's Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals:  World Market Update.

 

Table of Contents

AFRICA

ASIA

CIS

EUROPE

LATIN AMERICA

MIDDLE EAST

For more information on Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals:  World Market http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/markets/27-water/449-n026-water-and-wastewater-treatment-chemicals

INDUSTRIAL EMITTERS UPDATE HEADLINES

January 2015

Table of Contents

 

For more information on Industrial Emitters, click on: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93extsup1.asp

-------

You can register for our free McIlvaine Newsletters at: http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/Free_Newsletter_Registration_Form.htm.

 

Bob McIlvaine
President
847-784-0012 ext 112
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
www.mcilvainecompany.com