Country focus
Country focus: Burma
YK Ang from Langdon & Seah Thailand reports on the construction opportunities as Burma emerges from the international wilderness
Country Focus: Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s tall towers and connection with the strength of mainland China makes it a particularly vibrant construction market. Tim Robinson and Magda Skalska-Burgess of EC Harris report
Country focus: Malaysia
Strong domestic demand means Malaysia’s GDP looks good to grow. But with an election looming and a continuing budget deficit, fiscal stimulus can’t be relied on
Country focus: Poland
Its multibillion-pound roads programme may have hit the slow lane, but Europe’s seventh biggest construction market is still making significant investments in infrastructure
Country focus: Qatar
The tiny Gulf nation is throwing vast sums of oil and gas dollars at transforming itself into a ‘knowledge economy’ by 2030 - and its got a World Cup to stage too. Paul Needler from EC Harris reports
Country focus: The Balkans
The republics of the former Yugoslavia were hit hard by the global recession in 2009, and now the EU debt crisis is threatening their recovery. Sasa Trajkovic from EC Harris reports
Country focus: Russia
As host to the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2018 World Cup, and with a strong demand for offices, residential and retail, Russia is experiencing an uplift in construction activity. Tim Robb from EC Harris reports
Country focus: Poland
EU funding and infrastructure projects cushioned Poland from the downturn, but the public sector culture of always accepting lowest price tenders needs to change
Country focus: Germany
Overall the outlook for Germany is reasonably bright, but construction will feel the pain as the effect of the economic stimulus measures wears off
Country focus: Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is showing tentative signs of recovery after the most difficult year in its brief history. But what are the implications for construction costs? Miroslav Vasko of EC Harris reports
Country focus: Russia
Russia has been badly hit by recession, and there are not many signs of recovery, says Pavel Vishnaykov of EC Harris Still, the 2014 Winter Olympics provide a glimmer of hope …
Country focus: Serbia
Serbia’s construction industry may not be racking up 20% growth any more, but it’s still hitting 9.5% and shows little sign of slipping into recession. Sasa Trajkovic of EC Harris marks your card
Country focus: Hungary
Hungary had hoped to be a safe haven for investors but since September it’s been hit by record negative growth and a plummeting currency. Tibor Stahl of EC Harris in Budapest tells a familiar tale
Country focus: Czech Republic
With the strengthening of the Czech koruna and increased expenditure on the part of high-income groups, will foreign investment come at a price? Miroslav Vasko of EC Harris, Prague reports
Country focus: France
President Nicolas Sarkozy’s honeymoon period may be at an end, but France is weathering the credit crisis relatively well and the construction industry is still a bastion of the economy, reports Patrick Leniston of EC Harris
Country focus: Ireland
The Irish economy has doubled in the past decade, and construction has been an important part of that. The emphasis is now moving from housing to infrastructure, says Richard Fitzpatrick of EC Harris
Country focus: Spain
Spain has enjoyed a booming economy over the past 10 years, with annual growth well above the EU average. But is the fiesta about to end? Marcos Uttley del Corral of EC Harris reports
Country focus: Hungary
The Hungarian economy is struggling with a budget deficit and low growth, but with the offices and retail markets set to soar, the future is bright. Tibor Stahl and Judit Rohonyi of EC Harris report
Country focus: Czech Republic
A thriving economy and the biggest residential boom since the Velvet Revolution are driving the Czech market, report Miroslav Vasko and Pavel Cermák of the Prague office of EC Harris
Country focus: Germany
In the first of our country-specific economic profiles, we look at Germany, where the market has grown for the first time in 10 years. Meinhard Rudolph and John Atkins of EC Harris report
Country focus: UAE
After the 2008 crash in Dubai, growth and confidence are returning and a more mature construction market is developing, based on Abu Dhabi’s huge investment in energy and infrastructure and Dubai’s prime location as a hub for trade and tourism. Paul Maddison from EC Harris reports
Country focus: Singapore
Singapore kept GDP growth at 4.9% in 2011 and although construction demand might fall, key projects will ensure workload remains steady, writes Richard Warburton from EC Harris
Country focus: Germany
Investors are still flocking to Europe’s largest economy, unemployment is at a new low, and orders are up 20%. What could possibly go wrong? John Atkins and Meinhard Rudolph from EC Harris report
Country focus: China
China’s GDP outstrips almost everyone else’s, but, says Philip Darby from EC Harris, there are concerns about inflation, bank lending, house prices and construction safety
Country focus: India
Strong demand for construction activity in India continues, partly due to infrastructure needs and rising expectations of improved living standards
Country focus: France
Investors remain prudent, but France is weathering the economic storm pretty well - and offering opportunities that need to be acted on now. Patrick Leniston of EC Harris reports
Country focus: Ireland
Ireland’s reliance on the property boom has seen it in a bad way since the economic crisis began, says Richard Fitzpatrick of EC Harris in Dublin. But can government action prompt a return to stability?
Country focus: Hong Kong
Despite government investment in public sector projects, the construction industry has been badly damaged by the slowdown in China and Macau
Country focus: Croatia
The economy here is weathering the global recession better than most, and a shrewd firm might want to get in before the EU accession boom. Milan Momcilovic of EC Harris gives the briefing
Country focus: Poland
Poland has been enjoying a construction boom over the past three years, and although it’s not immune to the financial pandemic, it’s still going to record 6% growth. Marcin Klammer of EC Harris reports
Country focus: Germany
Germany, traditionally the motor of European construction, has stagnated for a decade. Now it’s sputtering back into life – but will the credit crunch kill it? John Atkins of EC Harris reports
Country focus: Russia
With spending on construction rising rapidly and the Winter Olympics on the horizon, Russia is a happy hunting ground for building opportunities. Just beware the risks involved, says EC Harris’ Mike Pearce
Country focus: Italy
The Italian construction industry has played a central role in the growth of the economy in recent years. Although the global slowdown is now steadying the boom, new project finance rules and investment vehicles should help offset its effects. Roberto Talotta of EC Harris reports
Country focus: Poland
Despite the exodus of native workers since the country joined the EU, Poland’s economy and construction market have gone from strength to strength. Marcin Klammer of EC Harris reports
Country focus: Romania
Romania is booming after its recent accession to the EU, with a rapidly growing construction industry and the world’s ‘third most promising’ economy, writes Stuart Powls of EC Harris
Country focus: France
With President Sarkozy newly instated, Patrick Leniston, country manager for EC Harris in France, reports on the construction issues that may affect the country’s future leader
