Latest news with #regionalgrowth
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Private sector forms steering committee to boost SADC tourism
Private sector tourism leaders across Southern Africa have established a new steering committee to address barriers holding back regional tourism growth and improve coordination across borders. With intra-regional tourism accounting for less than 25% of arrivals and air connectivity remaining limited, the committee will lead efforts to unlock the region's tourism potential. New governance for regional tourism The SADC Tourism Alliance, formed in 2022, acts as a unified private sector voice for tourism across all 16 SADC member states. It brings together national tourism associations and businesses to promote regional collaboration beyond political and national constraints. Operating independently while engaging with the SADC Secretariat, the Alliance provides technical leadership and coordination to strengthen Southern Africa's position as a connected tourism destination. Steering committee appointments The newly elected committee will oversee the Alliance's mission over the next three years. Members include: • Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa (Chair), CEO, Tourism Business Council of South Africa • Tojo Lytah Razafimahefa (Deputy Chair), President, CTM Madagascar • Memory Momba Kamthunzi, executive director, Malawi Tourism Council • Ally Karaerua, Chair, FENATA, Namibia • Paul Matamisa, CEO, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe • Nasser Zauria Usta, representative of Cotur – Travel Management Worldwide, Mozambique "Each of us faces national challenges – whether it's airlift in Malawi, skills development in Namibia, or infrastructure in Madagascar. But we've learnt that a tourist doesn't see borders the way we do," Tshivhengwa said. "When we work together, we can unlock investment, create jobs, and protect our natural heritage at a scale that none of us can achieve alone. That's not just good business – it's essential for the communities who depend on tourism across our region." Priority focus areas The Alliance has identified three critical priorities to guide its work: • Unlocking regional access • Strengthening regional reputation • Ensuring institutional sustainability Support and funding The SADC Tourism Alliance's formation and activities are supported by the Joint Action NatureAfrica / Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) Programme, co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Sohar International eyes majority stake in Saudi's Neo Group
MUSCAT - Sohar International Bank SAOG (SIB) has announced plans to acquire a controlling stake in Neo Group Limited, a financial services firm based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of its wider regional growth strategy. In a filing with the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) on Tuesday, Aug 12, SIB said it has approached the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) seeking preliminary approval to sign a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the shareholders of Neo Group. The MoU outlines the possibility of acquiring up to 55 per cent of the company's share capital from an existing Saudi shareholder, who currently owns an 80 per cent equity stake. Neo Group is an established financial institution in Saudi Arabia, holding regulatory licences from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to provide asset management and financial advisory services. According to SIB, the proposed acquisition aligns with its vision to expand its footprint in key regional markets and reinforce Oman's presence in the Gulf's fast-growing financial services sector. SIB noted that the transaction is still in its early stages and will be subject to a series of conditions before completion. These include a satisfactory outcome from the due diligence process, successful negotiations, execution of definitive agreements, and obtaining all necessary regulatory, corporate, and other mandatory approvals from both Omani and Saudi authorities. 'This intended acquisition forms part of Sohar International's regional expansion strategy and vision to strengthen Oman's representation in regional financial markets,' the bank said in its disclosure. The bank emphasised that it will make further announcements in accordance with regulatory requirements as and when material developments take place. The disclosure was signed by Abdul Wahid Mohamed al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International Bank. 2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Emerging Asian Stocks With Strong Potential In August 2025
As global markets grapple with renewed trade tensions and economic uncertainties, Asian markets present a unique landscape where emerging stocks can offer intriguing opportunities. In this environment, identifying promising stocks involves looking for companies that demonstrate resilience amid volatility and have the potential to capitalize on regional growth dynamics. Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In Asia Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating AIC NA 26.88% 54.47% ★★★★★★ YagiLtd 34.24% -7.15% 29.62% ★★★★★★ Araya Industrial 17.96% 3.77% 10.32% ★★★★★★ Ohashi Technica NA 5.69% -10.83% ★★★★★★ Maxigen Biotech NA 9.26% 24.95% ★★★★★★ Miwon Chemicals 0.12% 10.40% 16.52% ★★★★★★ Machvision NA -8.57% -12.44% ★★★★★★ E J Holdings 21.62% 4.30% 3.77% ★★★★★☆ Silvery Dragon Prestressed MaterialsLTD Tianjin 34.13% 1.81% 9.01% ★★★★☆☆ Tibet TourismLtd 27.63% 9.10% 17.00% ★★★★☆☆ Click here to see the full list of 2567 stocks from our Asian Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener. We'll examine a selection from our screener results. Henan Thinker Automatic EquipmentLtd Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Henan Thinker Automatic Equipment Co., Ltd. is a company focused on the development and manufacturing of automation equipment, with a market capitalization of CN¥12.50 billion. Operations: Thinker Automatic Equipment generates revenue primarily from the sale of automation equipment. The company has a market capitalization of approximately CN¥12.50 billion. Henan Thinker, a nimble player in the machinery sector, has been making waves with its impressive earnings growth of 54.5% over the past year, outpacing industry norms. The company is trading at 59.1% below its estimated fair value and boasts high-quality earnings with no debt burden. Recent reports show sales climbing to CNY 689 million from CNY 559 million a year prior, while net income jumped to CNY 304 million from CNY 190 million. With basic earnings per share rising to CNY 0.8 from CNY 0.5, Henan Thinker appears well-positioned for continued momentum in the market. Dive into the specifics of Henan Thinker Automatic EquipmentLtd here with our thorough health report. Review our historical performance report to gain insights into Henan Thinker Automatic EquipmentLtd's's past performance. Jiangsu Cai Qin Technology Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Jiangsu Cai Qin Technology Co., Ltd focuses on the research, development, production, and sale of microwave dielectric ceramic components both in China and internationally, with a market cap of CN¥11.37 billion. Operations: The company generates its revenue primarily from the communication equipment manufacturing segment, amounting to CN¥454.37 million. Jiangsu Cai Qin Technology, a nimble player in the electronics sector, has seen its earnings grow by 28.9% over the past year, outpacing the industry average of 2.8%. The company boasts more cash than total debt, highlighting its strong financial footing with a reduced debt-to-equity ratio from 1% to 0.7% over five years. Despite not being free cash flow positive recently, it covers interest payments comfortably and holds high-quality non-cash earnings. While recent performance shines bright, historical earnings have shrunk by an average of 36.9% annually over five years, suggesting potential volatility ahead despite promising revenue growth forecasts at nearly 30%. Click to explore a detailed breakdown of our findings in Jiangsu Cai Qin Technology's health report. Examine Jiangsu Cai Qin Technology's past performance report to understand how it has performed in the past. GKG Precision Machine Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: GKG Precision Machine Co., Ltd. operates in the research and development, production, sale, and service of precision automation equipment with a market capitalization of CN¥6.42 billion. Operations: GKG Precision Machine generates revenue primarily from the sale of precision automation equipment. The company has reported a gross profit margin of 37.5%, indicating its efficiency in managing production costs relative to sales. GKG Precision Machine, a nimble player in the machinery sector, has shown impressive earnings growth of 79% over the past year, outpacing the industry's modest 1%. The company is debt-free now, a significant improvement from five years ago when its debt to equity ratio stood at 18.5%. Despite recent share price volatility, GKG's profitability ensures that cash runway isn't an issue. However, it doesn't generate positive free cash flow currently. In May 2025, shareholders approved a final dividend of CNY2 per ten shares for 2024. Earnings are expected to grow by about 27% annually moving forward. Navigate through the intricacies of GKG Precision Machine with our comprehensive health report here. Assess GKG Precision Machine's past performance with our detailed historical performance reports. Where To Now? Discover the full array of 2567 Asian Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals right here. Are any of these part of your asset mix? Tap into the analytical power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to get a 360-degree view on how they're shaping up. Elevate your portfolio with Simply Wall St, the ultimate app for investors seeking global market coverage. Interested In Other Possibilities? Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SHSE:603508 SHSE:688182 and SZSE:301338. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Let us tax visitors on overnight stays in England, mayors say
A coalition of mayors has called for powers to be given to local authorities to create visitor levies across England, in an attempt to boost tourist infrastructure and regional growth. The group of mayors from around the country, led by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, is calling on the government to grant devolved powers to allow regions to create a visitor levy, which could see a small charge added to overnight stays. Mr Rotheram said the overnight charges are 'the kind most of us wouldn't think twice about when travelling abroad' and 'would give us the power to reinvest directly into the things that make our area so special'. Other mayors have echoed his sentiment. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said: 'A modest overnight accommodation levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London's reputation as a global tourism and business destination.' A similar law is already in place in Scotland, passed in 2024, which allows councils to tax overnight accommodation if they wish to do so. Edinburgh has already made headway with this power, voting in January to add a five per cent surcharge on visitors' overnight stays by 2026. A bill has also been proposed by Welsh lawmakers to introduce a small visitor levy that could see visitors to the country paying up to £1.25 per night by 2027. The mayors say England is 'at risk of falling behind' as Scotland and Wales move ahead with their own tourism levies, so are calling for rapid action from the central government. The mayors have argued that the powers to create a visitor levy would unlock 'vital' funding for tourism and cultural infrastructure and drive regional growth, as well as reduce dependence on funding from the central government. English legislation does not allow cities to create a visitor levy; however, using legal workarounds has meant Liverpool and Manchester have introduced a form of tourism levy. The city councils both introduced a tourism-based Business Improvement District (BID), using existing legal power to establish a form of tourist tax that allows hoteliers to charge £1 (in Manchester) or £2 (in Liverpool) per night as part of a 'city visitor charge'. The mayors said that the BID visitor levy in Liverpool has received strong backing, while in Manchester, a recent survey revealed 70 per cent of tourists are willing to pay a small charge if it is used to visibly enhance tourism services. However, the local authorities are hoping to see devolved powers to create visitor levies written into law. The campaign is backed by the mayors of the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, London, the North East, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire. 'These regions collectively attract hundreds of millions of visitors annually and contribute billions to the UK economy,' the group said. 'Yet none currently benefit from a dedicated funding stream to reinvest in tourism resilience and growth.' The Liverpool City Region predicts that a visitor levy could raise nearly £11 million per year for the area from the over 60 million visitors it receives annually. Greater Manchester says that a £1 to £5 overnight tax could raise between £8 million and £40 million per year, which could help fund key infrastructures such as the regeneration of Old Trafford or airport development. Over in the capital, the group said tourism accounts for one in seven jobs and nearly 12 per cent of London's economy, whereas visitor economies stand at £6.1 billion in the North East and £16.3 billion in Birmingham.
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Regional property prices set to grow faster than main centres
An aerial view of an Auckland suburb showing many blocks of housing. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton Property prices in the regions may be set to grow more quickly than the main centres. Cotality, formerly Corelogic, has released its latest data, which shows property values nationwide dropped 0.1 percent in May and are now 1.6 percent lower than a year earlier. Hamilton prices were up 0.1 percent in the month but Dunedin and Tauranga were down 0.1 percent. Auckland was down 0.3 percent and Wellington 0.4 percent. Christchurch was down 0.8 percent. Invercargill was up 0.5 percent in the month, Queenstown 1.2 percent and Rotorua, New Plymouth and Hastings also reported growth. "I don't want to make too much of it but I think we've seen that little bit of a split between the regions and the main centres," said chief property economist Kelvin Davidson. "There's a sense there is a gap opening up between the main centres and the regions. It's probably just symptomatic of the market we're in." Photo: SUPPLIED He said while there were some factors that applied everywhere, such as lower mortgage rates and a weaker economy overall, some provinces were benefiting from the comparatively stronger performance of the primary sectors. Fonterra's milk price forecast for the 2025/26 year is $10 per kilogram of milk solids. "Farming is doing pretty well, that might be driving a bit of spending in those areas and perhaps giving people a bit more confidence to be transacting in the housing market." By comparison, areas such as Wellington were still feeling the impact of public sector cuts and it would take a broader-based economic recovery to see house prices lift. He said the May figures were a reminder that any housing upturn would be slow and variable for the time being. "Lower mortgage rates are clearly going to be bolstering households' confidence as well as their wallets, and there were signs of higher loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratio lending activity in the latest Reserve Bank figures. "But it's not one-way traffic. After all, housing isn't necessarily affordable in absolute terms, while the economy and labour market remain subdued too. Indeed, filled jobs edged lower again in April. These are certainly restraints on buyers' willingness to push ahead with property deals or to pay higher prices." He said the nationwide drop in values in May could be reversed next month. "But anybody who was anticipating a sharp or widespread increase in property values as we got further into 2025 continues to be disappointed. "The return to some kind of normality for sales volumes should start to eat into the overhang of available listings on the market in the coming months. But listings are starting from such a high level that buyers are likely to continue to have the upper hand for most of the year, with the associated restraint on house prices." He said, based on current trends, his previous forecast for a 5 percent increase in values nationwide this year could be a bit strong. "Although the year still has quite a long way to run. "Either way, a subdued or 'balanced' market is probably what we've been needing for a while now - opportunities for different buyer groups, first home buyers and investors included, with reduced risk of prices running away from them again." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
