2015 will be a very difficult year for oil exporting countries. In a report published on Wednesday 4 March, risk assessment consultants, Aon, forecast a very difficult year for exporting countries from Africa, the former USSR and the Middle East, with persisting falls in oil prices. In addition, several of these countries will also have to confront geostrategic risks (terrorism and with regard to Russia, sanctions from the West). The fall in prices significantly increases the risk of a default on payments from companies in these countries, as well as the risk of being unable to convert their currencies, explains, Aon. According to the study, the political risk in Iran, Iraq, Libya, as well as, Nigeria, Sudan and Turkmenistan is high or very high. It also explains that 12 out of 163 countries monitored by the Aon risk management company have seen their notation rates worsen: Angola, Central Africa, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Sierra Leone and Uganda. Seven, on the other hand, have seen their notation rates improve: Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Laos, Panama, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. (Isabelle Lamberty)