The dynamics of the global business and economic climate are shifting. While the Western Europe and North American economies are still struggling to recover from the shockwaves of recession, China is prospering.
Recent reports (BBC News) suggest that China recorded up to 8.7% growth in its economy last year (2009), with growth in the final quarter of 2009 up 10.7% from the same period in 2008. It’s thought that the country is now set to overtake Japan as the world’s second-largest economy, after the US.
In contrast, Europe is believed to be floundering somewhat or at the very least, progressing slowly. The UK in particular is said to be facing a decade of ‘painful readjustment’ and will need to focus its efforts on increasing exports, some financial studies suggest.
So how does this decline compare for the industrial gas markets? What’s the state of play in Western Europe?
... to continue reading you must be subscribed
