James Carter

James Carter covers business and financial news for Economic Pulse.

🇲🇵 Northern Mariana Islands 2026 — The Commonwealth at a Crossroads: Federal Dependence Meets Pacific Ambition

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Economic Pulse Net | Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, Government Sources | 2026 Key Takeaways – The Northern Mariana Islands operate as a U.S. commonwealth with a multiparty presidential representative democratic system, making their economic fate uniquely tied to federal funding streams administered by the Office of Insular Affairs of the U.S. Department of … Read more

🇪🇹 Ethiopia 2026 — A Giant in Transition, Navigating Reform and Uncertainty

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Economic Pulse Net | Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, Government Sources | 2026 Key Takeaways – Ethiopia’s economy is undergoing a historic transformation, driven by ambitious liberalization reforms and massive infrastructure investments, yet faces persistent inflation and currency instability. – The country’s financial sector is dominated by state-owned giants like the Commercial Bank of … Read more

🇳🇵 Nepal’s Commercial Banks Slash Deposit Rates as Excess Liquidity Persists

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🇳🇵 Nepal CPI Inflation chart — Economic Pulse Net. Source: National Statistics Office. Key Takeaways Commercial banks in Nepal have further slashed deposit interest rates as excess liquidity persists, according to Nepalnews.com on July 16, 2026. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) plans to absorb Rs 50 billion in liquidity via a 90-day deposit collection instrument, as … Read more

🇧🇼 Botswana 2026 — Africa’s Oldest Democracy at a Crossroads

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Economic Pulse Net | Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, Government Sources | 2026 Key Takeaways – Botswana remains Africa’s longest uninterrupted democracy, a distinction that underpins its political stability and investor confidence, according to the Constitution of Botswana. – The economy is dominated by state-linked enterprises across utilities, transport, and telecommunications, with the Botswana … Read more

🇬🇲 Gambia — Democracy’s Unfinished Journey Meets Economic Uncertainty

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Economic Pulse Net | Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, Government Sources | 2026 Key Takeaways – The Gambia’s post-independence history is a cautionary tale of democratic promise interrupted by military rule, with the 1994 coup reshaping its political trajectory for decades. – Despite gaining independence in 1965 as a multi-party democracy, the country never … Read more

🇸🇿 Eswatini 2026 — The Lion’s Share: Monarchy, Modernity, and the Struggle for Economic Momentum

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Economic Pulse Net | Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, Government Sources | 2026 Key Takeaways – Absolute monarchy meets market reality: Eswatini remains one of the world’s last absolute monarchies, with King Mswati III wielding executive power alongside the *ndlovukati* (the Queen Mother), creating a unique political-economic environment that shapes every facet of business … Read more

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico 2026 — The Island Economy Between Recovery and Uncertainty

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Economic Pulse Net | Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, Government Sources | 2026 Key Takeaways – Puerto Rico operates as a U.S. territory with a unique economic status, but its key economic indicators—GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, and GDP per capita—remain unreported by the World Bank, reflecting significant data gaps that complicate any assessment of … Read more

🇧🇾 Belarus 2026 — Europe’s Last Dictatorship at an Economic Crossroads

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Economic Pulse Net | Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, Government Sources | 2026 Key Takeaways – Belarus operates under a highly centralized authoritarian government led by President Alexander Lukashenko, described by some media outlets as “Europe’s last dictatorship” — a political reality that fundamentally shapes every aspect of the country’s economic life. – The … Read more

🇺🇦 Ukraine 2026 — Resilience in Ruins, Reconstruction on the Horizon

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Economic Pulse Net | Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, Government Sources | 2026 Key Takeaways – Ukraine’s economy is operating in wartime conditions, with the World Bank data showing critical gaps in standard macroeconomic indicators as the country prioritises survival over statistical reporting. – The industrial backbone remains intact despite devastation, with companies like … Read more

🇺🇦 Ukraine 2026 — Resilience Forged in Fire: An Economy at War and Transformation

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Economic Pulse Net | Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, Government Sources | 2026 Key Takeaways – Ukraine’s economy continues to function despite the ongoing war, with its industrial base adapting to wartime production and logistics challenges. – The country’s top companies span critical sectors including industrials, financials, and basic materials, indicating a diversified economic … Read more