Condividiamo alcune notizie provenienti dagli Uffici Esteri dell’ICE.
JORDAN’S OIL, JEWELRY AND GRAIN IMPORTS DOWN IN 1ST 11 MONTHS 2024-DOS
(ICE) – ROMA, 26 GEN – Drop in Jordan’s imports of crude oil and its derivatives, jewelry, electrical appliances and grains during the 1st 11 months of 2024 curbed the increase in the value of the Kingdom’s importing bill.
Foreign trade data issued by the Department of Statistics (DoS) showed a decline in the Kingdom’s imports during the January-November period for both crude oil and its derivatives by 8.6%, amounting for JD2.471 billion, compared to JD2.704 billion in 2023.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s grain imports went down by 18.0%, reaching JD619 million, against JD755 million for the same period in 2023.
As for ornaments and jewelry, their imports decreased by 12.2%, reaching JD1.054 billion, compared to JD1.2 billion for the same comparison period, while imports of electrical appliances plunged by 0.6%, recording JD871 million, compared to JD876 million in 2023.
At the same time, the Kingdom’s imports increased for both vehicles and bicycles by 4.5% to reach JD1.526 billion, compared to JD1.460 billion in 2023.
The DoS said imports of machine tools dropped by 15.2% to reach JD1.192 billion, compared to JD1.035 for the same period in 2023.
According to the DoS figures, the total value of the Kingdom’s imports recorded an increase until the end of November 2024, by 1.8% to reach JD17.285 billion, compared to JD16.982 billion for the same period in 2023. (ICE AMMAN)
VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR (TET) 2025: HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS
(ICE) – ROMA, 24 GEN – Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet or Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnamese) is the most important traditional holiday in Vietnam. It is also the longest public holiday in the country, with up to 10 consecutive work-free days.
The date of the festival is dictated by the Lunisolar calendar and can, therefore, fall anywhere between January 21 and February 20. The transition from the Year of the Dragon to the Year of the Snake will begin on January 30, 2025, though preparations usually begin after the Western New Year (January 1). In 2025, the holiday might start as early as Friday, January 24, 2025, and end as late as February 3, 2025, depending on each entity’s scheduling.
Tet traditions and payment of bonuses: Advisory for businesses in Vietnam
One aspect business owners and foreign employers should be aware of is the custom of paying a Tet bonus to each staff member, which can be as much as a monthly salary or more.
Despite the bonus not being a legal obligation, it can facilitate employee satisfaction and retention. More than a few foreign employers have seen their valued staff leave after the holidays due to the lack of a Tet bonus. Considering that the Lunar New Year is the high season for recruiting and job change, the bonus should be used to both motivate and retain employees.
Without an obligated rate, it should be determined based on business results and the employees’ work performance. Though employees are entitled to a holiday break, some businesses might require or offer them to work during this time, depending on the nature of the work or special requirements. This is more frequent for foreign businesses than local counterparts.
To compensate employees for working during this period, employers must provide overtime pay. Beyond cash rewards, businesses often offer Lunar New Year incentives in various forms. Many companies, for instance, provide train tickets to help employees return to their hometowns or give high-value items such as household appliances and motorbikes, which are commonly used in Vietnam.
Companies operating in Vietnam should be prepared to embrace these local practices during the festive season to strengthen relationships and align with cultural expectations.
In 2025, although Tet falls on January 30, businesses and factories in Vietnam will remain closed for 7 to 9 days. This period includes the 5 days mandated by the Labor Code for the Tet holiday, along with an additional 2 to 4 days falling on the weekend.
Banks and schools will also be closed during this period. To avoid production delays and backlogs, which can build up 1 to 2 weeks before the holiday, factories should prioritize orders based on their importance and relationships with partners.
Both manufacturers and buyers are advised to pay close attention to the ordering process. Early placement of orders by buyers can help minimize issues caused by rushed production before and after the Lunar New Year.
During the first week after the holiday, most businesses will begin reopening gradually and planning their production schedules, although some may take longer to resume full operations.
It is worth noting that millions of migrant workers in major cities return to their hometowns to celebrate the Lunar New Year with their families. This leads to crowded airports, bus terminals, and train stations in the lead-up to the holiday, as well as quieter, emptier streets in urban areas. Domestic travel surges during this time, particularly between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
During the Lunar New Year period, Vietnamese ports and port warehouses close for the holiday, while terminals remain operational and open for incoming vessels.
After the holiday, ports resume operations at full capacity but often face heavy congestion at the terminals. Businesses should anticipate delays caused by the week-long closure, with timelines in the North generally taking longer to normalize compared to the South. These delays may further compound supply chain disruptions.
Foreign businesses relying on supply chains in Vietnam are advised to maintain close communication with their suppliers, who may face labor shortages, and to coordinate shipments to minimize delays. It is important to note that it often takes time for businesses to fully resume normal operations after the holiday. (ICE HO CHI MINH CITY)
PAKISTAN OVER 6,000 FIRMS JOIN DUBAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN 2024
(ICE) – ROMA, 23 GEN – Over 6,000 Pakistani companies have joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce in the first nine months of 2024, representing 8% of the total new members for the year. This placed Pakistan second among the nationalities registering with the chamber, trailing only India, which added 12,142 companies. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce, operating under the Dubai Chambers umbrella, reported that 70,000 new companies joined in 2024, driving its active membership to 258,318—a robust 18% increase compared to 2023. Data for the entire year on company nationalities is yet to be released, but the influx of Pakistani firms underscores the country’s growing business ties with Dubai. According to a business lawyer Dubai offers an environment designed for bold innovation and rapid growth pointing to trade expos and Dubai’s integrated business ecosystem as key enablers for Pakistani companies to thrive on the global stage.
DOMESTIC TRAVEL IN CHINA HITS 5.615 BILLION TRIPS IN 2024, UP 14.8% YEAR-ON-YEAR
(ICE) – ROMA, 23 GEN – In 2024, domestic travel in China reached 5.615 billion trips, up 14.8%, with total spending of 5.75 trillion yuan (€764.6 billion euros), a 17.1% increase. (ICE PECHINO)
IRAN IMPORTS 30 TONS OF GOLD FROM AFRICA DESPITE CHALLENGES IN TRADE RELATIONS
(ICE) – ROMA, 22 GEN – One of the key challenges in trade between Iran and Africa is the lack of regular shipping routes. Currently, Iran’s maritime transport to Africa is limited to East Africa, with ships mostly heading to Zanzibar and occasionally stopping at Mombasa in Kenya. Iranian shipping companies only operate along these routes when the cargo hold is full, which leads to irregular shipping schedules. Barahman explained that this lack of consistency hampers Iranian traders, as they are unable to fulfill export commitments and risk damaging their reputations.
Barahman also criticized the Iranian Maritime Shipping Company (IRISL) for refusing to dispatch ships unless they are fully loaded, arguing that such a policy is counterproductive. He pointed out that, in contrast, countries like Turkey and China have implemented more strategic solutions to maintain a steady flow of trade. He suggested that consistent maritime shipments would not only improve trade but also help Iranian companies meet their export targets more effectively. However, the current instability in Iran’s shipping regulations, such as sudden export bans, has discouraged private shipping companies from taking on Iranian cargo, further exacerbating the problem.
In terms of overall trade volume, Barahman noted that Iran’s non-oil exports amount to about $50 billion annually, while the country’s potential export capacity stands at $350 billion. This suggests that Iran is only utilizing one-seventh of its export potential.
Discussing trade with Africa, Barahman revealed that in the past year, trade between Iran and the continent amounted to approximately $1.3 billion, with $1 billion worth of Iranian exports and $300 million in imports from Africa. He emphasized the growing economic potential of African nations, especially Ethiopia, which has seen rapid growth. Ethiopia, with a population of 125 million, offers significant opportunities for Iranian businesses. South Africa also stands out as a strong partner for Iranian exports, particularly in sectors such as technology and telecommunications. It is noteworthy that South Africa holds a 50% stake in the Iranian mobile network operator, Irancell.
Despite Africa’s status as the world’s least developed continent, Barahman pointed out that its economic growth rate outpaces the global average. Africa’s trade with the rest of the world amounted to $500 billion in the first half of the current year, with China accounting for $143 billion of that total. This indicates the continent’s increasing integration into the global economy, offering promising opportunities for Iranian businesses.
Barahman also addressed the issue of air transport, noting that there are no direct flights between Iran and Africa. Although there were initial agreements with South Africa and Nigeria to establish direct flights, no concrete steps have been taken. He emphasized that Iran lacks a unified roadmap for its trade with Africa. Despite efforts from various government agencies, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Trade Promotion Organization, and the Chamber of Commerce, there is no coordinated strategy, leading to fragmented efforts and missed opportunities.
Reflecting on the trade potential, Barahman emphasized that African markets hold strong demand for a wide range of Iranian products, from plastic goods and imitation jewelry to home appliances, carpets, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural machinery. In return, Iran imports minerals from Africa, including phosphate, bauxite, manganese ore, cocoa, coffee, and tea. With 15 oil-producing countries, Africa also offers significant energy resources for Iran. “Gold ”
In a final note, Barahman disclosed that last year, Iran imported approximately 30 tons of gold from Africa, underlining the ongoing importance of the African market for Iranian trade.
The challenges of trade with Africa remain significant, but with more strategic planning and collaboration, there is substantial potential for growth in economic ties between the two regions.
(ICE TEHERAN)
SPESA DEI TURISTI STRANIERI IN GIAPPONE: PER LA PRIMA VOLTA OLTRE IL TETTO DEGLI 8.000 MILIARDI DI YEN
(ICE) – ROMA, 22 GEN – Stando alle statistiche preliminari rese note dall’Agenzia del Turismo Giapponese, nel 2024 la spesa dei visitatori stranieri in Giappone ha raggiunto gli 8.140 miliardi di Yen circa (5,024 milioni di Euro), +53,4% rispetto al 2023 e superando per la prima volta la soglia degli 8.000 miliardi.
Grazie all’indebolimento dello Yen, i visitatori dall’estero sono aumentati e anche la loro spesa e’ salita. In base ai dati rilasciati dall’Organizzazione nazionale del turismo giapponese, nel 2024 anche il numero stimato di visitatori stranieri in Giappone ha raggiunto un record salendo a 36.869.900 (+47,1% rispetto al 2023). I visitatori sono stati più numerosi anche rispetto a prima della pandemia COVID-19 (31,88 milioni nel 2019).
Nel 2024, lo Yen si è indebolito rispetto al dollaro statunitense a livelli mai visti dal 1986 e si è svalutato anche rispetto all’Euro, e il numero di visitatori in Giappone provenienti dall’Europa e dagli USA è salito. I visitatori provenienti dall’Italia sono aumentati di circa il 50% rispetto al 2023. Anche per Francia, Germania e Stati Uniti si e’ registrato il 30% circa di visitatori in più.
Nel dicembre 2024, le vendite duty free presso i grandi magazzini Daimaru Matsuzakaya Co. sono aumentate di quasi il 50% rispetto allo stesso mese del 2023, mentre Takashimaya Co. ha registrato un incremento del 30%.
La spesa dei visitatori stranieri in Giappone, che sta diventando una componente sempre più rilevante dell’economia giapponese, statisticamente è classificata come esportazione.
Secondo le statistiche commerciali del Ministero delle Finanze giapponese, tale spesa supera il valore delle esportazioni di semiconduttori e acciaio ed in base ai valori annualizzati delle esportazioni dei principali articoli da gennaio a novembre 2024, e’ seconda solo al valore delle esportazioni di automobili – principale voce dell’export del Giappone.
(ICE TOKYO)