Category : Economy

City governments and mayors in the region are now facing difficult challenges arising from climate change, economic transformation, and demographic shifts in their cities. Sustainable development – particularly in cities – must be both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive. This is especially true for the Europe and Central Asia region, wherein more than two-thirds of...

Regional cooperation benefits Cambodia and its neighbours in a number of ways. The world is getting more interconnected each day. As a result, global and regional cooperation has increased dramatically. This is particularly true here in Asia. Cambodia, of course, is closely linked to regional bodies, having just finished chairing the Association of Southeast Asian...

Technology the key in Boosting trade between South East Asia and South Asia. April 28, 2013: Better connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia – through hardware and associated software – can unlock the full benefits of closer economic ties between the two subregions and help rebalance Asian growth toward domestic and regional markets, delegates...

Many governments are now confronted by a substantial and highly vulnerable segment of the population in urgent need of some form of social protection, largely because older people are disproportionately affected by poverty. As the region’s families change and populations age, the elderly are being left behind. National pension systems, and creative policy decisions, are...

The international financial crisis has had a serious impact on the countries of the Europe and Central Asia region. Growth is slower, unemployment is higher, public debt has soared, and trust in the stability of banks has been eroded. The Role of Financial Reporting in the Policy Response to the Financial Crisis The international financial...

Urbanization brings higher productivity because of its positive externalities, economies of scale and build green industrial zones to attract manufacturing. Urbanization degrades the environment, according to conventional wisdom. This view has led many developing countries to limit rural – urban migration and curb urban expansion. But this view is incorrect. There are a number of...

China’s fiscal revenues are still relatively low compared to OECD countries, making it difficult to allocate adequate public resources to social development. It is a welcome step that [People’s Republic of] China’s new leaders have stated their intention to focus on not just the trajectory but the quality, efficiency and sustainability of economic growth. This...

Thailand as a regional leader in corporate governance with a relatively comprehensive framework and has achieved high levels of compliance in a number of key areas. Bangkok, April 25, 2013 – A World Bank report analysing Thailand’s corporate governance framework finds that while Thailand has undertaken significant reforms that have enhanced corporate governance, key challenges remain....

African Ministers of Finance, during a press briefing discussed Africa’s steady growth in the past decade, regional trade, and open borders. WASHINGTON, April 25, 2013—African Ministers of Finance, during a press briefing April 20th at the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, discussed Africa’s steady growth in the past decade, regional trade, and open borders.  The ministers...

Development partners have an important role to play in supporting Pacific nations as they work to secure their energy future, including providing financing and helping develop regulatory frameworks that support renewable energy and energy efficiency. Sticker shock at the gas pump is a possibility for virtually any driver at a time when crude oil costs...