This monthly Newsletter brings you news for international co-operation professionals on economic and social development. Free of charge if you recommend it to other colleagues. Edited by Karsten Karsten Weitzenegger Consulting, http://www.weitzenegger.de
CONTENT
- G7 Finance Ministers conclusions on development
- Action plan for trade and development in 2005: the EU, the WTO, the G8
- Building the capacity of ACP countries in trade
- EU launches new export help service for developing countries
- ADB Setting Up a $600 Million Asian Tsunami Trust Fund
- Development Gateway launches new software tool for relief efforts
- Business information networks in Asia
- Donor approaches to improving the business environment for small enterprises
- New SME definition in the EC
- EIB opens three regional offices in Africa in 2005
- Publications
- Training and Events
- Websites
1. G7 Finance Ministers conclusions on development
In a G7 statement on 5th February 2005 the Finance Ministers of the group reaffirm
their commitment to helping countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals by
2015. They added, ''In order to make progress on social and economic development, we
believe it is essential that developing countries put in place the policies for
sustainable development. Sound, accountable and transparent institutions and policies
are the basis for sustained economic growth and poverty reduction.''
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/otherhmtsites/g7/news/g7_statement_conclusions050205.cfm
2. Action plan for trade and development in 2005: the EU, the WTO, the G8
In a speech at the London School of Economics on 4 February 2005 the European
Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson set out a plan of concrete actions for the EU,
the WTO and the G8 that could put trade policy at the service of development in 2005.
See his speech at
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/05/39&format=HT\ML&aged=0&language=en&guiLanguage=en
3. Building the capacity of ACP countries in trade
The European Commission, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Agence
intergouvernementale de la Francophonie (AIF) with the support of the ACP Secretariat
have concluded a joint initiative on the Trade Policy Formulation, Negotiations and
Implementation (Hub and Spoke) Project to address the trade capacity challenges faced
by ACP member countries. An information meeting was held at the ACP House last Friday
11th February 2005. The 4 year project will focus on capacity building for ministries
and organisations responsible for trade policy formulation and negotiations;
strengthening national and regional institutions; provision of technical advice on
trade issues.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/bilateral/acp/index_en.htm
4. EU launches new export help service for developing countries
The EU launched an improved and multilingual version of its on-line Expanding Exports
Helpdesk, intended to help developing country producers seeking to export to EU
markets. The new Expanding Exports Helpdesk service includes new on-line features and
key services are now available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. There is a
new 'Market Place' service to facilitate deals between traders and an enlarged
database of trade statistics. Work on the second phase of the system, which will widen
the range of information to cover product specific import requirements and internal
taxation in the Member States is continuing, and should be completed during the first
half of 2005. http://export-help.cec.eu.int
5. ADB Setting up a $600 Million Asian Tsunami Trust Fund
The Asian Development Bank has announced its plan to allocate $600 million to a new
Asian Tsunami Trust Fund to provide rapid reconstruction and technical assistance to
Tsunami-affected countries. This amount exceeds ADB's initial pledge of $500 million
made at the ASEAN Leaders Summit in Jakarta on 6 January. An additional $175 million
from existing ADB-funded projects will also be reprogrammed to support the Tsunami
recovery efforts (see below). Other bilateral and multilateral donors are welcome to
use the Asian Tsunami Trust Fund as a vehicle for their assistance. Contact person:
Graham Dwyer, +63 2 632 5253, gdwyer @ adb.org.
http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/2005/nr2005017.asp
6. Development Gateway launches new software tool for relief efforts
A new open source software tool that organizations can use to coordinate international
relief and development efforts has been launched. Called the Local Projects Database
(LPD), this tool can be downloaded from the web. The LPD, developed with the Romania
Development Gateway and World Resources Institute, consolidates project, organization,
and contact data to share among development organizations at work in a particular
country or region, enabling communications among these organizations through a web
interface. The LPD was publicly released in the wake of the South Asian tsunami, to
respond to the need for coordination of efforts there, while also being available for
use worldwide. Other Development Gateway tools available for use in the South Asian
reconstruction include dgMarket, a platform for public procurement tenders. To
download the LPD, go to: http://lpd.sourceforge.net
7. Business information networks in Asia
The German Agency for Technical cooperation (GTZ) has developed a support package for
establishing networks of Business Information Services in Asia. It shall meet the
rising demand of small and medium enterprises for relevant information about markets,
innovative technology and investment opportunities. The GTZ-support package provides
guidance in planning, implementation and performance measurement of BIS-networks. The
common core business of all BIS-Centers is to buy, add value, and provide business
related information at a price to their clients. http://www.bis-asia.net
8. Donor approaches to improving the business environment for small enterprises
This new report presents the findings of an investigation into the concepts,
approaches, and practices donor agencies apply in their efforts to improve the
business environment in which small enterprises operate. Available on the Committee of
Donor Agencies for Small Enterprise Development website:
http://www.sedonors.org/html/events.html
9. New SME definition in the EC
The European Commission adopted a new definition of micro, small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs), aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, investment and growth,
facilitating access to venture capital, cutting administrative burdens and increasing
legal certainty. The new definition will be used as of 1 January 2005. The new
definition was shaped by two rounds of extensive public consultation. It maintains the
different staff thresholds which define the categories of micro, small and
medium-sized enterprises. However, it provides for a substantial increase of the
financial ceilings (turnover or balance sheet total). This modernisation of the SME
definition will have an impact on promoting growth, entrepreneurship, investments and
innovation. It will favour co-operation and clustering of independent enterprises.
This Recommendation concerns all Community policies applied within the European
Economic Area in favour of SMEs and is addressed to the Member States, the European
Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/sme_definition/index_en.htm
10. EIB opens three regional offices in Africa in 2005
Three regional EIB representative offices will be opened shortly by the European
Investment Bank in sub-Saharan Africa to support its development financing on the
continent, especially within the framework of the Investment Facility set up under the
Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the ACP - African,
Caribbean and Pacific -states. The three offices will be in: Dakar, Senegal, for
Western Africa; Nairobi, Kenya, for East and Central Africa; Pretoria, South Africa,
for the Southern Africa region and Indian Ocean.
http://www.eib.org/news/press/press.asp?press=2887
11. Publications
World Employment Report 2004-05: Employment, Productivity, and Poverty Reduction
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/strat/wer2004.htm
Last December the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World
Employment Report 2004-05. The report focuses on the importance of decent employment
to reaching the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, particularly in halving
the share of those in extreme poverty in the total population by 2015. The report
shows that, in spite of the record levels of global unemployment, the reality for most
of the world's poor is that they must work - often for long hours, in poor working
conditions and without basic rights and representation - at work that is not
productive enough to enable them to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
While it is clearly the case that employment is central to poverty reduction, it is
''decent and productive'' employment that matters, not employment alone.
Worldwatch State of the World 2005
http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/sow/2005/toc/
In this year's annual report, Worldwatch researchers explore underlying sources of
global insecurity including poverty, infectious disease, environmental degradation,
and rising competition over oil, water, and other resources. ''We must recognize these
shameful global disparities and begin to address them seriously. I believe that today
the world faces three interrelated challenges: the challenge of security, including
the risks associated with weapons of mass destruction and terrorism; the challenge of
poverty and underdevelopment; and the challenge of environmental sustainability. We
need a Global Glasnost-openness, transparency, and public dialogue-on the part of
nations, governments, and citizens today to build consensus around these challenges'',
said Mikhail S. Gorbachev in his foreword.
Damage and Reconstruction Needs Assessment Toolkit
http://vle.worldbank.org/gdln/dm/start.htm
The consequences of natural disasters on human welfare, economic activities, property,
and natural resources are devastating. As a result of disasters, scarce resources
earmarked for development are diverted to relief and reconstruction. To achieve
sustainable development, reconstruction should reduce vulnerabilities to future
calamities. Our aim with this Toolkit is to contribute to this effort. The Toolkit
incorporates the materials of the World Bank Institute program in Disaster Risk
Management.
InfoResources Focus on PPP
http://www.inforesources.ch/pdf/focus_1_05_e.pdf
The latest issue of InfoResources Focus is entitled ''Rural Development through
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)?''. InfoResources Focus provides a general overview
of pertinent and topical subjects to guide its reader through the information jungle.
Deloitte Business Guides
http://www.deloittewebguides.com
This dynamic repository contains valuable information about regulatory, tax and
business matters, including the investment climate, labour relations and work force
considerations, business regulations, foreign investment and tax rates for major
trading nations. The insights are meant to provide business investors, human resource,
tax and financial executives, and international assignees alike with an enhanced
understanding of operating conditions, regulations and issues in key countries around
the world. Unit, NA, Inc.
Microfinance Matters
http://www.uncdf.org/english//microfinance/newsletter/pages/jan_2005/index.php
The Eighth Issue of Microfinance Matters, an on-line publication of UNCDF. Ringing in
the Year of Microcredit, By UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch Brown Featured Guest:
Fatimata Lonfo, New York City Microentrepreneur and Global Microentrepreneurship Award
Winner Finding a Role for Public Donors in the Privatized World of Microfinance, by
Marc Jacquand Microfinance in Brazil: Unibanco's Experience, By Mauricio Jose Serpa
Barros de Moura Microinsurance and Risk Mitigation for MFI clients, By Michael J.
McCord Eradicating Poverty through Profit - Making Business Work for the Poor An
International Conference on the Private-sector Approaches to Development Fazle Hasan
Abed receives UNDP Human Development Award Call for Letters to the Editor - The Role
of Microfinance in Rebuilding after the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean
The Emerging Role of Microfinance Programs in Mitigating the Impact of Natural Disasters
http://www.seepnetwork.org/files/2082_PN_4_Sept_2004.pdf
This SEEP Progress Note reviews key findings of a case study about WISDOM, the World
Vision microfinance affiliate in Ethiopia. The study assessed the impact of WISDOM on
the socioeconomic and nutritional well-being of its members within the context of the
2002-2003 Ethiopian drought.
Evaluating the World Bank's Approach to Global Programs
http://www.worldbank.org/oed/gppp
This is the first evaluation of global development programs undertaken by the World
Bank, involving a portfolio review of some 70 programs and case studies of 26
programs. Released by the Operations Evaluation Department (OED) on January 24, 2005,
it has been a highly consultative evaluation involving interviews with well over 700
people in partner agencies and developing countries. The evaluation suggests new
methodological approaches to the evaluation of global partnerships.
Ten steps to a Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation System - A Handbook for
Development Practitioners
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000160016_20040827154900
This World Bank Handbook provides a comprehensive ten-step model that will help guide
development practitioners through the process of designing and building a
results-based monitoring and evaluation system.
Poverty, income and working poor
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/strat/analysis/poverty.htm
''The concept of working poor in the developing world adds a new dimension to the
study of labour markets: it integrates employment into poverty. In fact, the majority
of the poor of working age are not idle, but work. For policy, the emergence of the
concept of working poor has some important consequences. In particular it must be
questioned if the jobs that the working poor actually hold -many of them in the area
of self-employment-, might be a good starting point for the development of decent
jobs.'' This page links to a series of publications on poverty and employment.
Foreign Investment and Development: Who gains?
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/special/foreigninvestment?goo=1001&intcmp=907&intcmp=907&intcmp=907
This Development Gateway Special Report provides multi-sectoral coverage on foreign
investment and development through interviews with three experts who provide unique
viewpoints from the corporate, civil society, and policymaker perspectives. Following
the interviews are three feature collections addressing practical issues pertaining to
foreign investment in developing countries: What are promising business models and
investment opportunities in developing countries? How to balance interests of foreign
investors and domestic enterprises? Who should be accountable for what?
Diaspora, Migration and Development in the Caribbean
http://www.focal.ca/pdf/migration_caribbean.pdf
This paper by Keith Nurse examines the developmental impact of the growth of the
diasporic economy on Caribbean territories like Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti
and the Anglophone Caribbean. It focuses on issues like remittances, diasporic
exports, brain drain, as well as the new health and security risks associated with
migration and mobile populations. The key areas of benefit and cost are evaluated and
an assessment is given of emerging challenges and opportunities. The paper concludes
that the policy dialogue should move beyond the remittances issue to take into account
wider developmental concerns.
Collection of Development Reports
http://www.eldis.org/finance/big_reports_feature.htm
ELDIS features a selection from this years important macro-economic 'State of the
World' surveys and analysis.
12. Training and Events
Small Enterprise Development Training Courses 2005
http://www.intercooperation.ch/sed/training/
The Swiss SDC-SED has updated its compilation of international training courses for
2005. The purpose of this list is to provide a source of information for interested
parties when selecting training programs. It lists 20 different courses on Small
Enterprise Development and Business Development Services.
Eradicating Poverty through Profit
http://povertyprofit.wri.org
Making Business Work for the Poor
Private-sector Approaches to Development (Follow-up-event)
October 31, 2005 / Frankfurt, Germany
Reports of the annual BDS seminar available
http://learning.itcilo.org/entdev/BDSSEMINAR/pub/archivio/corsi.aspx?p=13&f=-1
The annual BDS seminar organised by the ILO has been convened in Thailand this year
and followed by a study tour in Bangladesh. The thematic focus was: developping
commercial markets for BDS - pioneering systemic approaches. The reports of these 2
events are available now
Conference: ''Evaluation for Development - Beyond Aid''
http://www.ideasconference.org/
April 12-14, 2005 in New Delhi, India. Formed to respond to the new challenges facing
the development evaluation community, the Conference seeks to further underscore the
crucial role of evaluation in poverty reduction, promoting human security and in
advancing the sustainable development agenda.
Conference on Economic Inequality
http://www.uib.es/congres/ecopub/ecineq/general.htm
The Society for the Study of Economic Inequality (ECINEQ) will hold its first meeting
at the Universitat de les Illes Baleares, Spain, Palma de Mallorca, 20-22 July 2005
VIII Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise
http://www.iadb.org/foromic/
Bolivia, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, October 5, 6 and 7, 2005
Expanding the Frontiers of Microenterprise -- The Commitment to Reach Everyone
13. Websites
Millennium Campaign website
http://www.millenniumcampaign.org
This website, initiated by the United Nations, supports citizens' efforts to hold
their government to account for the Millennium promise. The site outlines the
Millenium Development Goals and provides information on how to campaign in the
different fields of relevance.
Database on OECD Committees and Groups
http://webnet3.oecd.org/OECDgroups/
This site lists all committees and working groups of the organization and describes
their membership and mandates.
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM)
http://www.gemconsortium.org
The report, based on research carried out in 34 countries, looks at levels of
entrepreneurial activity and the factors which lead people to become entrepreneurs.
The results are used as key benchmarking indicators by policy-makers around the world.
Investment Climate Surveys: Survey results from more than 27,000 firms
http://rru.worldbank.org/InvestmentClimate/
Did you know that companies in Guatemala lose 9 percent of annual sales to crimes such
as theft and arson? Or that firms in Uzbekistan face 20 percent in annual sales losses
due to interruptions in the water supply? These facts come from the new online
database, which captures information on the investment climate of 51 developing
countries, based on extensive surveys of more than 27,000 firms. Indicators covered by
the database include: electrical and telephone service outages, water service
failures, business costs of providing security for workers, time spent to claim
imports from customs, workforce unionization, production time lost due to strikes, and
much more. The database allows you to generate data reports.
FODAD: Forum on Debt and Development
http://www.fondad.org
FONDAD is an independent policy research centre and a forum for international
discussion established in the Netherlands. Supported by a worldwide network of
experts, we provide policy-oriented research on North-South issues in a globalising
world, in particular international financial issues for developing countries.
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