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Syria remains an important actor in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. It plays a key part in the ongoing dispute between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, and in the intra-religious Sunni- Shia Muslim tensions in the region.

The Poland Insurance Report considers the prospects for both life and non-life insurers in that country. BMI remains of the view that international groups are correct to see Poland as the market in Central and Eastern Europe that is too important to ignore. A positive interpretation of conditions would highlight the strong growth of the non-life segment, improving profitability (thanks in part to vastly fewer claims relating to natural catastrophes than in 2010), as well as the initiatives announced by leading insurers to develop new products, distribution channels and administrative systems. Poland is patently a country in which households and businesses already appreciate the benefits of non-life and life insurance. A negative interpretation would highlight the low level of development of life insurance by many metrics; the impact on insurers' earnings of volatile financial markets in 2011. A respectable performance by the insurance sector last year was the result of the strength of the Polish economy (which was remarkable by local standards) and a hike in motor insurance tariffs: the first of these factors may not be sustainable in 2012, while the second was a 'one-off.'

The Pakistan autos sector continues to present a mixed picture as we approach the end of the country's fiscal year in June 2012. While the outlook for passenger cars and pick-ups remains robust, with strong growth seen in both production and sales year to date, the country's sluggish commercial vehicle sector and plunging farm tractor sector are acting as brakes on the progression of the wider vehicle industry.

Despite Mexico's continued vulnerability to external shocks, we forecast that the country's economic growth will be bolstered by solid private consumption and robust investment. As such, we maintain our above-consensus real GDP growth forecast of 3.5% for 2012, and are upgrading our 2013 forecast from 3.0% to 3.9%.

The Kuwait Petrochemicals Report examines the huge but as yet unrealised potential of downstream industries in the light of Kuwait Petrochemical Corporation's (KPC) plans to significantly boost ethylene and polyethylene capacities by 2016.

BMI View: Japan's consumption of imported oil and natural gas has risen as a result of nuclear power generation losses in the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Over the longer term, a reassessment of energy strategy means nuclear will play a less prominent role and, inevitably, gas will have to make up part of the shortfall. This suggests Japan will become a still bigger player in global LNG purchasing.

India hosts a wide range of globally significant mineral resources, including: four fuel minerals (such as coal and uranium); 11 metallic minerals (such as iron); 22 minor minerals; and 52 non-metallic minerals (such as clay). The country ranks among the world's top five nations for its core competency commodity reserves of coal and iron ore. Iron ore reserves are estimated in the region of 23bnt (bn tonnes) and account for 6% of global reserves, while coal reserves are reported to be around 255bnt. India is the world's third-largest producer of coal, fourth-largest producer of iron ore and the fifth-largest producer of bauxite. However, only 10% of the country's landmass has been explored due primarily to significant regulation and bureaucratic obstacles.

The Hong Kong Insurance Report considers the prospects for both life and non-life insurers in the Special Administrative Region. As of mid-2012, the news-flow continues to highlight Hong Kong's position as a large, rapidly growing and dynamic market for both non-life and life insurance. The coming months are likely to see the establishment of the new Independent Insurance Authority, as the successor to the. The other protagonists include the local subsidiaries of many of the world's leading (re)insurance companies. Although they differ widely in their areas of interest and business models, almost all are able to achieve substantial economies of scale in their operations across the Asia Pacific region as a whole.

The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape of the Submarine industry. It provides an overview of key Submarine companies catering to the Submarine sector, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives and a brief financial analysis

This report discusses the various programmes conducted by key players in the market, by dividing them into the main types of Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants. The categories discussed are: Destroyers, Corvette, Frigates, Cruisers, Amphibious Ships and Aircraft Carriers. The report offers detailed information regarding quantity procured, country supplying the equipment, delivery period and total contract value.

This report is the result of SDI/ICD Research's extensive market and company research covering the Finnish defense industry. It provides detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values including key growth stimulators, analysis of the leading companies in the industry, and key news.

This report provides a top-level overview and detailed market, channel, and company-specific insights into the operating environment for foodservice companies.

The Future of the Fish and Seafood Market in France, to 2016 is the result of Canadean's extensive market research. The report presents detailed analysis on the Fish and Seafood consumption trends in France, historic and forecast Fish & Seafood consumption volumes and values at market and category level, brand share and distribution channel data. This report brings together Canadean Intelligence's research, modeling and analysis expertise in order to develop uniquely detailed market data. This allows domestic and foreign companies to identify the market dynamics to account for Fish and Seafood sales overall and to know which categories and segments are showing growth in the coming years

GlobalData's report, Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) Industry Outlook in China to 2016 - Market Size, Company Share, Price Trends, Capacity Forecasts of All Active and Planned Plants provides an in-depth coverage of China EPS industry. The research presents major market trends affecting the EPS industry in China. The report covers China EPS plants and presents installed capacity by process and technology. In addition, it presents EPS demand and production forecasts, end use demand forecasts, price trends, trade balance data and company shares of the major EPS producers in China. Overall, the report presents a comprehensive coverage of China EPS industry including all the major parameters.

GlobalData's "Medical Equipment Monthly Deals Analysis: May 2012- M&A and Investment Trends" report is an essential source of data and trend analysis on the mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and financings in the medical equipment industry. The report provides detailed information on M&As, equity/debt offerings, private equity, venture financing and partnership transactions registered in the medical equipment industry in May 2012. The report portrays detailed comparative data on the number of deals and their value in the last six months, subdivided by deal types, segments and geographies. Additionally, the report provides information on the top financial advisory firms in the medical equipment industry.

GlobalData's report, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Industry Outlook in Taiwan to 2016 - Market Size, Company Share, Price Trends, Capacity Forecasts of All Active and Planned Plants provides an in-depth coverage of Taiwan SBR industry. The research presents major market trends affecting the SBR industry in Taiwan. The report covers Taiwan SBR plants and presents installed capacity by key feedstock, process and technology. In addition, it presents SBR demand and production forecasts, end use demand forecasts, price trends, trade balance data and company shares of the major SBR producers in Taiwan. Overall, the report presents a comprehensive coverage of Taiwan SBR industry including all the major parameters.

GlobalData's clinical trial report, "Bradycardia Global Clinical Trials Review, H1, 2012" provides data on the Bradycardia clinical trial scenario. This report provides elemental information and data relating to the clinical trials on Bradycardia. It includes an overview of the trial numbers and their recruitment status as per the site of trial conduction across the globe. The databook offers a preliminary coverage of disease clinical trials by their phase, trial status, prominence of the sponsors and also provides briefing pertaining to the number of trials for the key drugs for treating Bradycardia. This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData's team of industry experts.

Sports nutrition products developed rapidly in 2011 due to the strengthening wellbeing trend towards healthy lifestyles and improved fitness. This was mainly due to the increasing number of Poles who are paying more attention to how they feel and look. More people are deciding to engage in regular physical workouts, with the most popular activities being aerobics, body-building, personal training, yoga and pilates.

In 2030, the population of Uruguay will reach 3.6 million, an increase of 6.9% from 2010. As the baby boomer generation hits retirement age the overall population of Uruguay is ageing. Net migration has been consistently negative since 1980 and this trend is forecast to continue until 2030. Uruguay's fastest growing city between 2010 and 2030 will be the seventh largest city Tacuarembo.

Innovations within dishwashing are quite rare and they tend to revolve around the same factors: innovative formats and environmental and hands protection. There are a few commonalities between dishwashing categories. For example, the use of innovative materials, as seen with the launch of Sano San, which is made out of foam. This type of material is new to dishwashing in Israel. The launch of eco products has also been seen in 2011, as new "green" companies enter dishwashing with products that...

Bath and shower products grew at 13% in current value terms in 2011, compared to a yearly average of 5% during the review period. Growth in bath and shower products has increased with the improving Mexican economy, as consumers increasingly prefer liquid soaps and body washes to more affordable bar soaps as well as more specialised products like antibacterial soaps and products with natural ingredients.

The industry had a tumultuous last five years, with falling disposable incomes causing demand for boats to plummet. Smoother sailing is on the horizon, however, as the economic recovery boosts consumer spending on luxury items like watercraft. Furthermore, growing demand for more advanced and custom-made boats will drive profit upward. Boat builders will increasingly target baby boomers, who are generally cash-rich and are nearing retirement, and therefore have the means and time to spend on boats.

The number of people who are overweight in South Africa is increasing at an alarming rate, this growth is mainly being influenced by the rapid change of lifestyle for many South Africans. Some people now work during irregular hours, including some during the night. Such schedules have forced people to excessively gain weight due to unhealthy eating habits. At the same time, some people work on tight schedules which do not give them time to exercise and hence they have excessively gained weight.

The Magazine and Periodical Publishing industry in China publishes a wide range of periodicals and magazines. The printing, wholesaling and retailing of periodicals and magazines are included in other downstream industries.

Though growth is on the horizon for gasoline and petroleum wholesalers, firms will continue to depend on trends in oil prices, which are vulnerable to shocks. While industry revenue will benefit from higher prices due to increased demand for crude oil, profit margins will lag behind, forcing some wholesalers to consolidate to stay afloat. Furthermore, the growing trend toward more fuel-efficient vehicles will dampen demand for gasoline and petroleum.