In the midst of sluggish global trade and policy uncertainties, developing countries stood out as the world's economic powerhouses. They contribute more than 75% of global growth in output and consumption, according to Nasdaq.
In World Bank's Global Economic Prospects report released in June, Ethiopia is recorded as the fastest-growing economy in 2017 with 8.3% growth rate, thanks to the high government spending on infrastructure. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is often considered the jewel of the country's recent growth.
This is a whopping number, higher than the estimated global growth at 2.7% with a recovery in commodity prices, improved market confidence, and increased trade and manufacturing. Trade increased by 4% in 2017, with only by 2.4% in 2016, according to the report.
Meanwhile, with projected growth of 7.6%, Uzbekistan has the second-fastest-growing economy. Rising oil prices, robust growth in Europe, and generally supporting policies contribute to this number.
Nepal is next, with a 7.5 projection. World Bank reports that Nepal has rebounded strongly following good monsoon, the reconstruction effort after 2015 earthquake and trade normalisation with India.
India also enjoys 7.2% projected growth, currently the fourth-fastest-growing-economies, partly thanks to the rise of export, an increase in government spending, supported by policy reforms.
Among the other top 10 fastest-growing-economies are Djibouti and Laos with 7% and Southeast Asian countries, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Myanmar with 6.9%.
Laos, the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia of about 7 million people is improving with deeper integration with regional economy and investment in power network to provide better electricity to the nation.
Meanwhile Cambodia is benefited from increasing export in garment, as the factories have shifted from Vietnam. The value of garment exports reached $6 billion in 2015, worth 70% of all exports, and employed 700,000 people, according to Research and Markets.
Myanmar just opened the country for foreign investment in 2012 and it will even further lured foreign investors. According for Forbes, A lot of foreign-funded projects cover energy, garment production and food and beverages.
In the Philippines, infrastructure spending combined with remittance from overseas, consumer spending, call centers, and tourism will expand an economy worth $311 billion last year.
Overall, emerging markets and developing economies are the key contributors of global growth. While Europe has experienced strong growth, United States is estimated to still recover with moderate pace until 2018.
