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During such difficult financial times, where the economic environment remains volatile, debt collection agencies can only rely on the methods and strategies that they employ to increase the rates of debt collection and recovery. Debt collectors are faced with a multitude of challenges: external economic pressure, consumers with rising delinquency rates who are also faced with multiple credit relationships, and increasing competition in the debt collection agency. Considering this, obtaining a deep understanding on the various strategies in collecting debt implemented in various countries is a must to help improve debt collection rates and contribute to a rapid recovery from the global economic crisis. Different countries address debt collection in a myriad of ways such as through field visits, a third party debt collector, buying and selling of debts, and regular and constant reminders via multiple communication channels. There are also some who utilise threats and send lawsuits. The wide variation of debt collection practises makes it even more important to study and analyse each one of them so as to obtain a deeper understanding of the debt collection industry, financial industry, and banking industry.

During 2011 and 2012, the Australian reinsurance segment recorded an increase in reinsurance rates due to the natural disasters that occurred during 2010 and 2011. Australia was affected by eight natural disasters in 2010, which included five floods, a tropical cyclone and two major storms. The worst of these events was the Queensland floods that occurred in December 2010.

This report presents the findings of research into the growth of this payment technology in key regions around the world. The picture that emerges is one of fragmentation and complex commercial models, with a marked lag between contactless card issuance and merchant acceptance, even in those markets considered to be well developed. In the US for example, there are around 100m contactless cards in issue, yet only a relatively small percentage of merchant outlets are reported to accept this form of payment, despite it being available for nearly ten years. Migration to chip and PIN is a more emotive topic in the US, with retailing giant Walmart making its position clear in the media as being in support of this more secure payment method, ahead of the introduction of contactless payments. This makes sense when the level of plastic card fraud in the US is taken into consideration. The push for migration is also in line with the strategic aims of large retailers to gain a greater share of consumers' wallets by broadening the range of products and services offered in stores. Merchant acceptance of this payment methodology, alongside the issuance of cards and other payment devices, is crucial to the success of contactless payments. The majority of merchants are unlikely to be willing to fund the migration to contactless payments unless a clear business case and short payback period can be identified to them. In a number of countries, for example, Turkey and the UK, the card issuers and payment processing companies are footing the bill for the introduction of the required technology, and this will need to continue in order to increase merchant acceptance of contactless payments until the benefits of migration have been conveyed.

The paints and varnishes market in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries valued over US$29 billion in 2011, representing an increase of 56.3% from the value recorded in 2007. The market recorded positive annual growth rates every year during the review period (2007-2011), apart from in 2009 when it declined by 3.2% due to the adverse impact of the global economic crisis. Water-based paints and varnishes accounted for the largest share of the BRIC paints and varnishes market in 2011 with a market share of 46.4%. The second-largest category in the market was solvent-based paints and varnishes, which recorded a market share of 26.6%. China was the largest paints and varnishes market among the BRIC countries during the review period. The Chinese paints and varnishes market grew rapidly and recorded a CAGR of 16.90% during the review period.

This market research report offers an in-depth perspective on the actual market situation, trends and future outlook for cement in China. The analysis provides essential market information for decision-makers including:

BMI View: The major players in Asian power supply are clamouring to invest in Cambodia, with the result that huge capacity expansion can be expected from around 2015, as hydro, gas and coal-based schemes are brought into play. This will leave the country with plentiful spare generation, even if there are several years of 8-10% annual average demand growth. Neighbouring Vietnam, which will finance a number of power projects, plans to make use of Cambodia's potential export capability, as does Thailand.

GBI Research's report, "Ambient Energy Harvesters Market to 2016 - Replacement of Batteries for Low Power Applications Creates Growth Opportunities", provides key information and analysis of market opportunities in the ambient energy harvesters (AEHs) market. The report provides information on industry dynamics, key suppliers, and the sales revenue and sales volume of AEHs. The report also provides forecasts for energy harvesting based on type, region and end-application until 2016. Market size forecasts until 2016 are provided for photovoltaic energy harvesters, electromagnetic energy harvesters, piezoelectric energy harvesters and thermoelectric energy harvesters. The following application markets for energy harvesters are also discussed: consumer electronics, industrial and building automation, and military and aerospace.

Canadean's, "Brandy in Poland to 2016: Databook" contains detailed historic and forecast Brandy consumption analysis, segmented at a category level. It provides year on year growth figures for the different types of Brandy available in Poland , as well as volume data based on price segments and alcoholic strength. This report reviews the latest industry trends both for overall products as well as leading market players, which makes it an essential tool for companies active across the Poland alcoholic drinks value chain and for new players considering entering the market.

Vodka in Asia-Pacific to 2016: Market Guide provides in-depth detail on the trends and drivers of the Vodka market in Asia-Pacific. The report includes quantitative information (historic and forecast market values), as well as data, to help companies in the Alcoholic Drinks industry better understand the changes in their environment, seize opportunities and formulate crucial business strategies.

Canadean's, "Books, News and Stationery Retailing in Germany: Databook to 2016" contains detailed historic and forecast retail sales values, segmented at a category level. The report takes into account macroeconomic indicators and industry-specific drivers to provide data that helps companies in the Retailing industry better understand the changes in their environment, seize opportunities and formulate crucial business strategies.