A challenging year ahead

Curtailed: A screen displays trading information for ride-hailing giant Didi Global at the New York Stock Exchange. The company delisted its shares six months after getting market recognition. — Reuters

HAPPY New Year! Welcome to a fresh beginning and one that is filled with hope and expectations.

With the global gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.9% this year, as predicted by the International Monetary Fund in October last year, the global economy and markets are ushering in the new year with caution as economic growth expectations are again being disrupted by the Omicron variant which has now become the dominant form for the spread of Covid-19.