G20 Trade and Investment Measures

Friday, March 12th, 2010

The OECD, World Trade Organization and the UN’s Conference on Trade and Development have published their second combined report on G20 Trade and Investment Measures. The three organizations have called upon the G20 to resist moves toward protectionism.
The report’s authors caution that the holdings acquired by governments as a response to the crisis may jeopardize [...]

Turning Off the Stimulus Tap

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

As the crisis winds down, the IMF has warned in a new report, “Exiting from Crisis Intervention Policies,” that it’s time for policymakers to implement strategies for exiting from crisis-related interventions policies. The appropriate timing, pace, and mode of exiting depends on the state of the economy and the health of the financial system.
However, the [...]

Achieving Millennium Development Goals

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has prepared the report, “Beyond the Midpoint: Achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” to review the extent of progress made towards the MDGs as well as assess what it will take to accelerate progress towards the goals around the World. Thirty country-level assessments and extensive consultations with stakeholders were undertaken to [...]

Economic Survey of China

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

The OECD has just published the 2010 edition of the Economic Survey of China. By all accounts, the Chinese economy appears to be weathering the global crisis well. The country is now leading the world economy out of recession and could well overtake the United States to become the world’s leading producer of manufactured goods [...]

Regional Economic Outlook: Latin America & Caribbean

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

The International Monetary Fund has launched its latest Regional Economic Outlook, entitled “Crisis Averted, Western Hemisphere Report”. The study explores the consequences and policy implications of the recent global crisis and recession for the Latin America & Caribbean (LAC region). Although the impact of the crisis was substantial, the worst is over for most countries. [...]

Economic Survey of Japan 2009

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

The OECD has just published its 2009 edition of the Economic Survey of Japan. In the context of the global economic crisis, the Japanese economy has fallen into its deepest recession of the post-war era. Output is projected to contract by 6 percent in 2009, reflecting a plunge in exports and tighter financial conditions. The [...]

Global Financial Stability Report

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

The IMF has just released its semiannual Global Financial Stability Report. Although the global financial system is showing signs of recovery, the report cautions that the road to financial rehabilitation is unlikely to be straight and that there will be significant policy issues ahead. It highlights the need to further repair bank balance sheets so [...]

World Economic Outlook Proposes Ways of Sustaining Recovery

Friday, September 25th, 2009

The IMF has released a study, as part of its World Economic Outlook (WEO). The report finds that banking crises typically have a long-lasting impact on the level of output, although growth eventually recovers. Lower employment, investment, and productivity all contribute to sustained output losses. The findings suggest that the forceful macroeconomic policy response so [...]

Trade and Development Report 2009 – UNCTAD

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

UNCTAD has just released its Trade and Development Report 2009, subtitled “Responding to the Global Crisis and Climate Change Mitigation and Development”. The study presents an innovative approach to the reform of international monetary and financial systems, emphasizing stability of real exchange rates. Short-term policy responses taken to tackle the immediate effects of the crisis are [...]

The World Economic and Social Survey 2009

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) has just published “The World Economic and Social Survey 2009: Promoting Development, Saving the Planet.” The report calls for integrated policy responses to development and climate challenges. As a big investment is needed to reduce greenhouse emissions and to help communities to cope with climate change, [...]