News and Insights

Rising resource nationalism in Africa's booming mining sector is forcing companies to evolve their public policy and stakeholder management beyond government engagement to secure their license to operate. The Speyside Africa team is analyzing this shift, which requires adopting a community-led approach, as demands for local benefits and jobs are increasingly driven from the bottom up by a young population seeking economic opportunities in this high-growth market. To navigate this landscape, miners must invest in downstream development and sustainable local economic benefits, addressing the growing pressure for domestic value creation from critical minerals and other resources.

Rising food prices in Central and Eastern Europe have triggered government interventions that are reshaping the Food and Beverage sector. Romania’s statutory price caps and Slovakia’s transparency tools highlight the growing policy risks. F&B companies face challenges with margins, contracts, operations and reputation as political pressure on food inflation intensifies

The Speyside Central Eastern Europe team is analyzing the upcoming pivotal elections in Czechia (October 2025) and Hungary (April 2026), two of the region's key high-growth markets, which are creating significant business uncertainty across Central and Eastern Europe. In the Czech election, Andrej Babiš's populist ANO party is leading polls but faces a difficult path to forming a government, signaling potential gridlock. Meanwhile, the Hungarian election presents a novel challenge to Viktor Orbán's Fidesz from Péter Magyar's new Tisza party, though the incumbent retains structural advantages. For businesses, these political crossroads mean predictable policy delays, regulatory instability, and shifting EU relations, requiring flexible engagement and strategic planning in corporate affairs strategies for multiple outcomes.

Spyeside team analyzes how investing in healthcare and establishing universal access pathways is crucial for accelerating societal and economic growth, especially in resource-constrained environments. Examples from the Global South demonstrate that universal coverage reforms and essential benefits packages not only improve health equity but also accelerate and sustain economic growth long-term.

Thailand's government is in upheaval after the Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leading to the appointment of Anutin Charnvirakul. This new leadership, in a high-growth market, is based on a fragile, temporary agreement to dissolve Parliament within four months, stalling major legislation. The rapidly evolving situation demands sophisticated Corporate Affairs and crisis management from companies to navigate the political uncertainty and stakeholder fallout. For businesses, this means a period of significant uncertainty, as economic policy will be tactical and short-term rather than strategic. This situation demands sophisticated Corporate Affairs and crisis management from companies to navigate the political uncertainty and stakeholder fallout.

Since 28 August 2025, Indonesia, a high-growth and emerging market, has witnessed a wave of nationwide demonstrations, with significant unrest concentrated in Jakarta, where clashes broke out between security forces and protesters organized by the Coalition of Labor Unions and the Labor Party. The Speyside Asia Pacific team is actively monitoring this issue. This unrest, sparked by government insensitivity and economic hardship, highlights the severe risks to business operations and investor confidence. The rapidly evolving situation demands sophisticated Corporate Affairs and crisis management from companies to navigate the political uncertainty and stakeholder fallout.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, European NATO members, particularly on the eastern flank, have dramatically increased defense spending, with many now exceeding 2% of their GDP. The Speyside Central Eastern Europe team is analyzing a structural shift in Europe's defense landscape, creating new opportunities in these key high-growth and emerging markets. The irreversible trend of rearmament, led by Poland and the Baltic states, is reshaping procurement, which is now tied to national industrial policy, supply chain resilience, and EU-level financing. This complex environment demands a sophisticated Corporate Affairs and government relations strategy for defense companies to navigate the multi-layered political, financial, and public sentiment landscape.

Navigating US-India trade tensions requires expert corporate affairs. Speyside Asia Pacific explores the risk of a protracted impasse on supply chains.

The Trump administration's 15% tariff creates deep political risk in Central and Eastern Europe. Speyside CEE team analyzes the corporate affairs and supply chain impact.

US MFN policy risks drug access in emerging markets. Speyside healthcare team explores the corporate affairs challenges and pricing risks in high-growth, emerging markets.

EU textile EPR & Digital Passports create complex policy risks in emerging markets. The Speyside CEE team analyzes the corporate affairs challenges and infrastructure gaps for CEE producers.

Mexico’s healthcare decree introduces new procurement risks. The Speyside Mexico team, specialized in healthcare, analyzes the corporate affairs challenge and market access implications.