Global Scans · Decent Work and Growth · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

• [New] In 2026, while companies work to integrate AI into their systems, they will increasingly face issues such as system reliability, data quality, integration challenges, and a shortage of qualified talent. Turkiye Today
• [New] Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the predicted timeframe and is expected to sustain as a leader in the upcoming period because of its huge consumer volume, strong digital environment, and early adoption of QR-based technologies in day-to-day life. Precedence Research
• [New] Asia-Pacific is expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period. Polaris
• [New] As demand is expected to triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, maintaining investment momentum will be essential to meeting future needs and supporting resilient industrial growth. / UAE UAE and United States Sign Framework to Strengthen Secu
• [New] Companies in North America are increasingly relying on procurement not only to manage cost and risk, but to unlock resilience, innovation and sustainable growth. Inverto
• [New] With the BoE now expecting growth of just 0.9% in 2026, most economists think it will cut interest rates next month and probably once more later in 2026. 1330 & 101.5 WHBL
• [New] Beijing's significant investment, including in research and development, artificial intelligence and renewables, will continue to support growth by increasing overall productivity. / China East Asia Forum
• [New] Further growth to $150.95 billion is expected by 2030, with a CAGR of 4.2%, fueled by investments in smart waste solutions, increased regulatory pressures, and enhanced recycling infrastructure. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Globally, insurance growth is forecast to decline through 2026. WNS
• [New] More than half of manufacturers continue to see steady or increasing customer demand, and 81% expect revenue growth in 2026. Automation.com
• [New] The cumulative growth forecasts for 2026 through 2027 are strong, with emerging markets leading at +33%, Europe at +24% and Japan at +21%. AdvisorAnalyst.com
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the coming year, driven by extensive infrastructure development, population growth, and quick urbanization in emerging economies. Precedence Research
• [New] AI network fabric spending is expected to climb 38% in annual growth over the next few years to support the gigawatt-scale data center buildouts. Semiconductor Engineering
• [New] Global semiconductor revenue is forecast to grow by approximately 11.9% year-on-year in 2026, a solid expansion but notably slower than the explosive growth seen over the past two years. SEMIVISION
• [New] Global GDP growth is projected to slow from 3.4% in 2024 to approximately 2.9% in both 2025 and 2026, signaling a less supportive macro backdrop for cyclical industries. SEMIVISION
• [New] Germany has borrowed heavily to invest in defence and infrastructure, and there will be some pressure to deliver a faster pace of growth in future. Financial Advisers | Wealth Managers | Insight Financia
• [New] For the Arab region, the IMF expects growth to rise to about 3.7%, supported by increased oil production, lower energy prices for importers, strong remittances, and a rebound in tourism. Khaleej Times
• [New] The IMF projects that the UAE economy will achieve a growth rate of 4.8% in 2025 and 5% in 2026 underscore resilience and ability to navigate global fluctuations. Khaleej Times
• [New] Growth across the GCC is projected to accelerate to around 4.5% in 2026, driven by the expected easing of OPEC + production cuts and continued strength in non-oil sectors. Dubai Diaries
• [New] Extra federal tax breaks in 2026, along with more forgiving comparisons with last year, could help restaurant-industry sales growth in 2026. Morningstar, Inc.

Last updated: 22 February 2026