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Mission Grey Daily Brief - June 15, 2024

Summary of the Global Situation for Businesses and Investors

The world is witnessing a dynamic interplay of events, with a peace summit for Ukraine taking center stage, while being overshadowed by Russia's absence. The G7 summit concluded with a focus on providing Ukraine with a $50 billion loan, backed by Russia's frozen assets, to aid in its fight for survival. The summit also addressed migration issues, with a particular focus on increasing investment in African nations to reduce migratory pressure on Europe. Other topics included the war in Gaza, financial security, artificial intelligence, and climate change.

Ukraine Peace Summit

A highly anticipated peace summit for Ukraine is taking place in Switzerland this weekend, with the notable absence of Russia. The summit, attended by over 90 delegations, including world leaders from France, Poland, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada, aims to discuss the first steps toward peace in Ukraine. Despite Russia's absence, the Swiss insist on their inclusion in future negotiations. The summit's outcome is expected to be a joint plan for peace, with Ukraine having significant input. However, the effectiveness of the summit is questionable, given Russia's absence and Ukraine's inability to negotiate from a position of strength.

G7 Summit

The G7 summit concluded with a focus on providing Ukraine with a $50 billion loan, backed by Russia's frozen assets, to aid in its fight for survival. The summit also addressed migration issues, with a particular focus on increasing investment in African nations to reduce migratory pressure on Europe. Other topics included the war in Gaza, financial security, artificial intelligence, and climate change.

China-Myanmar Relations

China has donated six patrol boats to the Myanmar junta, with the stated purpose of keeping waterways safe and protecting water resources. However, there are concerns that the junta will use these boats to terrorize civilians, as they have done in the past. China is a major investor in Myanmar and a primary supplier of weapons, which the junta uses to oppress its people. This development underscores China's growing influence in Myanmar and its role in providing the junta with the means to commit human rights abuses.

Regional Instability

  • Ghana: Ghana is experiencing three weeks of power cuts due to a shortage of supplies from Nigeria. This has resulted in public anger and highlights the country's worst economic crisis in a decade.
  • Armenia: Armenia is facing internal turmoil, with protests and a tense situation outside the government building. There are also concerns about its relations with Azerbaijan, with reports of weapons transfers and border issues.
  • India: India, the world's largest democracy, is facing a political scandal involving the brutal repression of dissent and the disqualification of heavyweight politicians from the upcoming election.

Recommendations for Businesses and Investors

  • Ukraine Peace Summit: The summit's outcome may provide a framework for future negotiations and potential peace. Businesses should monitor the situation and assess the impact on their operations in the region.
  • G7 Summit: The financial aid package for Ukraine demonstrates continued international support. Businesses should consider the potential impact on their investments and supply chains in the region.
  • China-Myanmar Relations: China's growing influence in Myanmar and its role in providing weapons to the junta underscores the risk of doing business with or investing in Myanmar. Businesses should avoid associations that may contribute to human rights abuses or damage their reputation.
  • Regional Instability:
    • Ghana's power cuts and economic crisis may impact businesses operating in the country. Investors should consider the risks and assess the resilience of their operations.
    • Armenia's internal turmoil and border issues with Azerbaijan create an unstable environment for businesses. Investors are advised to monitor the situation and consider the potential impact on their investments in the region.
    • India's political scandal and election dynamics may create short-term instability. Businesses should monitor the situation and assess the potential impact on their operations and investments in the country.

Further Reading:

"Several billion dollars worth of weapons were handed over to Azerbaijan." Nikol Pashinyan - Radar Armenia

A peace summit for Ukraine opens this weekend in Switzerland. But Russia won't be taking part - Citizentribune

A peace summit for Ukraine opens this weekend in Switzerland. But Russia won't be taking part - News10NBC

Armenia economy and people are more European in way of life than in some European countries, minister says - news.am

Australia news as it happened: G7 summit opens with deal to use Russian assets for Ukraine; Coalition to push for social media reform - Sydney Morning Herald

Central Bank: Azerbaijan is not among the top 50 countries in terms of transfers to and from Armenia - NEWS.am

China donates six patrol boats to Myanmar junta - Mizzima News

Erdoğan attends G7 summit to highlight Gaza crisis - Hurriyet Daily News

G7 leaders agree to lend Ukraine $50 billion backed by Russia's frozen assets - FRANCE 24 English

G7 leaders tackle the issue of migration on the second day of their summit in Italy - ABC News

Ghana announces three weeks of power cuts - Yahoo New Zealand News

How the Planet's Biggest Democracy Deals with a Major Scandal : State of the World from NPR - NPR

Iranian press review: Voters prioritise end to sanctions - Middle East Eye

Themes around the World:

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Surge in Foreign Direct Investment Inflows

Foreign investment in Germany more than doubled to €96 billion in 2025, reflecting confidence in its stability, legal certainty, and EU market access. This trend strengthens Germany’s position as a European business hub, but also increases scrutiny on strategic sectors and regulatory frameworks.

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Post-election policy continuity risks

Bhumjaithai’s strong election showing reduces near-term instability, supporting portfolio inflows, but coalition bargaining and a multi-year constitutional rewrite could still delay budgets and reforms. Foreign investors face execution risk around stimulus, infrastructure procurement, and regulatory priorities.

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Dezenflasyon ve lira oynaklığı

Ocak 2026 enflasyonu yıllık %30,65, aylık %4,84; konut %45,36 artışta. Dezenflasyon sürse de kur ve fiyat oynaklığı ücret, kira, girdi maliyetleri ve fiyatlama stratejilerinde belirsizlik yaratıyor; stok, kontrat ve hedge ihtiyacını artırıyor.

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Energy planning and power constraints

Vietnam is revising national energy planning to support 10%+ growth targets, projecting 120–130 million toe demand by 2030 and rapid renewables expansion. Businesses face execution risk in grids, LNG logistics, and permitting; power reliability remains a key site-selection factor.

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Energy security and gas reservation

Federal plans to introduce an east-coast gas reservation from 2027—requiring LNG exporters to reserve 15–25% for domestic supply—could alter contract structures, price dynamics and feedstock certainty for manufacturers and data centres. Producers warn of arbitrage and margin impacts in winter peaks.

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Grid constraints reshape renewables rollout

Berlin plans to make wind and clean-power developers pay for grid connections and to better align renewables expansion with network build-out. Higher project costs, slower connection timelines and curtailment risks can affect PPAs, site selection and data-center/industrial electrification plans.

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Strategic Role in European Value Chains

Turkey is deeply embedded in EU value chains, especially in automotive, machinery, textiles, and electronics. Its manufacturing and logistics capacity, combined with energy corridor status, make it a strategic partner for Europe’s competitiveness and supply chain resilience.

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Tighter tax audits and customs scrutiny

SAT is intensifying enforcement against fake invoicing and trade misvaluation, using CFDI data to trigger faster audits and focusing on import/export inconsistencies and improper refunds. Compliance burdens rise for multinationals, making vendor due diligence, transfer pricing and customs documentation more critical.

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Ports, logistics and infrastructure scaling

Seaport throughput is rising, supported by a 2030 system investment plan of about VND359.5tn (US$13.8bn). Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City port master plans aim major capacity increases, improving lead times and resilience for exporters, but construction, permitting and last-mile bottlenecks persist.

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Critical minerals alliance reshaping

Canberra’s A$1.2bn Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve (initially gallium, antimony, rare earths) and deeper US-led cooperation (price floors, offtakes) are accelerating non‑China supply chains, creating investment openings but higher compliance, geopolitical and pricing-policy risk for manufacturers.

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Property slump and financial spillovers

China’s housing correction continues to depress demand and strain credit. January new-home prices fell 3.1% y/y and 0.4% m/m, with declines in 62 of 70 cities. Persistent developer debt and bank exposures weigh on consumption, payments risk, and counterparty reliability across B2B sectors.

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Vision 2030 Drives Economic Diversification

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is accelerating economic diversification, reducing reliance on oil by expanding sectors like mining, tourism, logistics, and manufacturing. This transformation is reshaping the investment landscape and creating new opportunities for international businesses across multiple industries.

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Rusya yaptırımları ve uyum riski

AB’nin Rus petrolüne yönelik yaptırımları sertleştirmeyi tartışması ve rafine ürünlerde dolaylı akışları hedeflemesi, Türkiye üzerinden ticarette uyum/itibar riskini artırıyor. Bankacılık, sigorta, denizcilik ve ihracatçıların “yeniden ihracat” kontrollerini güçlendirmesi gerekebilir.

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Lira depreciation and inflation stickiness

January inflation ran 30.65% y/y (4.84% m/m) while the central bank cut the policy rate to 37%, pushing USD/TRY to record highs. Persistent price pressures and FX weakness raise import costs, complicate pricing, and increase hedging needs.

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Nearshoring meets security costs

Nearshoring continues to favor northern industrial corridors, but cartel violence, kidnappings and extortion elevate operating costs and duty-of-care requirements. Firms face higher spending on private security, cargo theft mitigation and workforce safety, shaping site selection, insurance and logistics routing decisions.

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Infrastructure push and budget timing

Major parties and business groups emphasize infrastructure—rail, airports, grids, water systems and data centers—as the main path to durable growth. However, government formation and budget disbursement timing can delay tenders, impacting EPC pipelines, industrial estate absorption, and logistics upgrades.

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Regional security, Hormuz risk

Military build-ups and tit-for-tat maritime actions heighten disruption risk around the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor for roughly one-fifth of seaborne oil. Any escalation could delay shipping, spike premiums, and force rerouting, affecting chemicals, commodities, and container traffic.

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Energy security via long LNG

Japan is locking in long-duration LNG supply, including a 27-year JERA–QatarEnergy deal for ~3 Mtpa from 2028 and potential Japanese equity in Qatar’s North Field South. This supports power reliability for data centers/semiconductors but reduces fuel flexibility via destination clauses.

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Gaza Conflict Drives Regional Instability

The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and its aftermath continue to disrupt supply chains, trade flows, and investor sentiment. Border controls, humanitarian access, and security risks remain volatile, impacting logistics, foreign investment, and business operations across the region.

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Border trade decentralization, barter

Tehran is delegating emergency import powers to border provinces, enabling direct imports, simplified customs, and barter to secure essentials under sanctions and conflict risk. This creates localized regulatory variance, higher compliance ambiguity, and opportunities for regional traders with elevated corruption risk.

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XR location-based entertainment entry

New immersive entertainment venues in Helsinki signal growing consumer adoption and commercial real-estate partnerships for XR. For foreign operators, Finland offers predictable permitting and high digital readiness, but success depends on local content, labor availability and resilient import logistics for hardware.

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Digital regulation and platform compliance risk

Proposed online-platform and network rules, plus high-profile cases involving major platforms, are viewed in Washington as discriminatory. Potential policy shifts could alter data governance, content delivery costs, and competition enforcement, influencing market entry strategy and compliance budgets for multinationals.

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Logistics hub buildout surge

Saudi Arabia is accelerating the National Transport and Logistics Strategy via port upgrades, transshipment growth and new logistics zones. January throughput reached 738,111 TEUs (+2% YoY) with transshipment up 22%. This improves regional routing options but raises competition and compliance demands.

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Labour mobilisation, skills constraints

Ongoing mobilisation and displacement tighten labour markets and raise wage and retention costs, especially in construction, logistics and manufacturing. Firms face productivity volatility, compliance requirements for military-related absences, and higher reliance on automation or cross-border staffing.

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Sanctions escalation and secondary tariffs

U.S. “maximum pressure” is tightening via new designations of tankers/entities and a threatened 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran. This widens compliance exposure beyond Iran-facing firms, raising legal, financing, and market-access risks across global supply chains.

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US tariff uncertainty and exports

Thailand’s 2025 exports rose 12.9% (Dec +16.8%), but 2026 momentum may slow amid US tariff uncertainty (reported 19% rate) and scrutiny of transshipment via Thailand. Firms should stress-test pricing, origin compliance, and buyer commitments.

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USMCA review and tariff volatility

Mandatory USMCA review by July 1 is becoming contentious; Washington is openly weighing withdrawal and has threatened extreme tariffs and sector levies. Heightened uncertainty disrupts pricing, contract terms, and cross-border auto, metals, agriculture, and services supply chains.

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Labor shortages and mobility constraints

Reserve duty, reduced availability of non-Israeli workers, and security-related absenteeism strain construction, services, and some industrial operations. Companies should expect wage pressure, longer project timelines, and greater need for automation, subcontracting, and cross-training to maintain continuity.

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Rising cyber risk and compliance

La stratégie nationale cybersécurité 2026-2030 répond à un record de 348 000 atteintes en 2025 (+75% en cinq ans). Priorités: formation, sécurisation technologique, préparation de crise, mobilisation du privé et réduction des dépendances, renforçant obligations fournisseurs et audits.

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Economic-security industrial policy expansion

Tokyo is using subsidies and “economic security” framing to steer strategic sectors (chips, AI, defense-linked tech). This can crowd-in foreign investment and partnerships, but increases compliance complexity around sensitive technologies and state-aid conditions.

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Red Sea route volatility

Threats in the Red Sea/Bab al-Mandab continue to reshape routing for Israel-linked cargo, increasing transit times and container costs. Firms face higher war-risk premiums, occasional carrier capacity shifts, and greater reliance on Mediterranean gateways and overland contingencies.

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US tariffs hit German exports

US baseline 15% EU duty is biting: Germany’s 2025 exports to the United States fell 9.3% to about €147bn; the bilateral surplus dropped to €52.2bn. Automakers, machinery and chemicals face margin pressure, reshoring decisions, and supply-chain reconfiguration.

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Sanctions compliance incentives harden

OFSI now states penalties can be reduced up to 30% for self-reporting and cooperation. For online investing firms with cross-border clients, stronger screening, escalation and audit trails become strategic necessities as UK sanctions enforcement intensity rises.

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Logistics hub push via ports

Mawani ports handled 8.32m TEUs in 2025 (+10.6% YoY) and 738k TEUs in January (+2.0%), with transshipment up 22.4%. Port upgrades (e.g., Jeddah) aim to capture rerouted Red Sea traffic and reduce landed-cost volatility.

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Palm waste export restrictions

President Prabowo announced a ban on exporting used cooking oil and palm waste to prioritize domestic aviation fuel and biofuel ambitions. The move may tighten regional feedstock availability, disrupt traders’ supply contracts, and increase regulatory risk in Indonesia’s palm-based derivative exports.

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Immobilien-, Bau- und Projektpipeline-Risiko

Hohe Finanzierungskosten bremsen Bau und Real Estate: Hypothekenzinsen lagen Ende 2025 bei ca. 3,9% (10 Jahre), Neubaufinanzierungen schwächer. Der Bau-PMI fiel Januar 2026 auf 44,7. Auswirkungen: Standortverfügbarkeit, Werks-/Logistikflächenpreise, Lieferantenaufträge und Investitions-Timings.