HKTDC RESEARCH

China is to cut tariffs on 1,585 imported items from 1 November 2018 onwards. More

Brazil's medium-term outlook will depend on the success of the current fiscal adjustments and the enactment of growth-enhancing reforms. Great progress has also been achieved in reducing deforestation in the rainforest and other sensitive biomes. Brazil faces a weak growth outlook in the medium term. Uncertainty over reforms will keep investment subdued over the coming quarters, weighing on growth.More

Chile has been one of Latin America’s fastest-growing economies in recent decades, enabling the country to significantly reduce poverty. Growth is expected to recover during 2018-2020 as private-sector prospects improve and copper prices rise. Chile will continue to rely heavily on commodity export earnings, a significant structural weakness. Although Chile will begin to move away from copper dependence, the economy will remain exposed to copper prices shocks for years to come.More

In view of the keen demand for beauty services on the mainland, HKTDC conducted focus group discussions in three main cities to assess how the attitudes and consumer preferences for beauty services have changed since 2013, when a similar study was conducted. The findings reveal that, for middle-class consumers, looks increasingly matter, making them more eager to try beauty treatments.More