Global economic and trade outlook (May 2026)
Two months after the start of the conflict in the Persian Gulf, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to dominate the global economic environment. Manufacturing PMIs are rebounding, but preemptive stockpiling artificially inflates activity as costs hit multi-year highs. The immediate risk is concentrated on three fronts: cost inflation, logistical disruptions and uncertain […]
Support Fund for Productive Industrial Investment
The Productive Industrial Investment Support Fund (FAIIP) offers returnable financial support to promote industrial investments that boost the sector’s development, competitiveness and capabilities. Dates Projects may be financed if they have started up to 9 months prior to the application and may be executed up to 2 years after formalizing the financing. Beneficiaries Private commercial […]
Brazil begins transition to dual VAT
Brazil has initiated one of the most relevant tax transformations in its recent history. The objective is to replace a fragmented, complex system with multiple overlapping taxes with a model closer to European VAT, based on value-added taxation, fiscal neutrality and the destination principle. Introduction and regulatory framework April 30, 2026 marks the formal start […]
The hidden cost of non-circular industry
The current production model causes avoidable economic losses in the manufacturing industry. These are hidden costs that do not appear on the income statement, but accumulate over the life cycle of products and assets. Now, for the first time, they have been quantified. The Circularity Gap Report 2026published by Circle Economy and Deloitte, looks at […]
Technical regulations are more costly than tariffs
UNCTAD analyzes how non-tariff measures, such as technical and safety regulations, have become the main obstacle to global trade, surpassing even the impact of traditional tariffs. The current trade landscape shows a shift towards interventionism and economic nationalism. The measures that are growing the most are: Technical measures (SPS and TBT): Notifications of Sanitary and […]
ISO 14001 to be updated in 2026
The new ISO 14001:2026 updates the international environmental management standard and marks a new transition schedule for companies certified to the 2015 version. An update focused on corporate sustainability ISO 14001:2026 is the new edition of the international standard for environmental management systems and replaces ISO 14001:2015. According to the documentation analyzed, ISO announced its […]
EU makes palletized packaging more flexible
The European Commission exempts certain operators from the 100% reuse requirement for pallet wrapping and strapping used to stabilize and protect products during transport. New European exemption for transport packaging The European Commission has adopted Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/429, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on May 6, 2026, supplementing Regulation (EU) […]
Science and Innovation Missions 2026
The objective of the call for proposals Science and Innovation Missions 2026 is to finance cooperative R&D projects, led by companies, that respond to major strategic challenges for Spanish society. The aid seeks to promote collaboration between companies and research organizations, strengthen the technological capacity of the business sector and promote innovative solutions in key […]
Impact of the 2026 commodity scenario
World Bank forecasts point to a historic shock in commodity markets following the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz: +16% in the general price index this year, with peaks in energy, fertilizers and metals, and severe risks for food security and emerging markets if the disruptions are prolonged. The global […]
Coupons ACCIÓ 2026 internationalization and innovation (Catalonia)
ACCIÓ has approved the regulatory bases for a new call for vouchers aimed at improving the competitiveness of Catalan SMEs through specialized advisory services. These aids allow to promote internationalization, sustainability and the incorporation of new technologies. The 2026 calls will open on May 15.Applications will be granted in chronological order of receipt until the […]