October 2005 from weitzenegger.de

 

2005

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

  1. Outcome of UN Millennium+5 World Summit
  2. UNCTAD points to fundamental shift in global economic interdependence
  3. UN Human Development Report highlights concern over agricultural trade
  4. Development: EU Takes a Small Step Forward
  5. Financing for Development
  6. Trade liberalisation and domestic reform the keys to combating poverty
  7. MIGA Launches Small Investment Program
  8. Foreign remittances could overtake FDI and aid, says Asian Development Bank
  9. Training and Events
  10. Publications
  11. Websites

1. Outcome of UN Millennium+5 World Summit

The Summit provided the foundation for strengthening the global partnership between developed and developing countries set out at Monterrey. Earlier this year, the EU set a timetable to reach new levels of Official Development Assistance. By 2010, this assistance will account for 0.56 per cent of the EU's collective Gross National Income - resulting in an annual additional 20 billion Euros. By 2015 this proportion will reach 0.7 per cent. And EU member states recently agreed to support the G8 agreement to write off debt. In addition, the Summit recognised the value of developing innovative sources of financing. Sub-Saharan Africa is not on target to reach many of the goals for over 100 years and on some goals - including hunger and sanitation - the situation is actually going backwards.

At least 50 per cent of the agreed increase in EU aid resources, therefore, will go to Africa; in plain terms this means a doubling of EU aid to Africa over the next five years. More aid on it's own will not be enough. The real engines for making poverty history will be developing countries themselves. The EU believes that, as important as increasing aid, is making sure that it is used better and more effectively, in order to drive up standards of governance and help the poorest people for whom it is intended. This means developing countries adopting ambitious national development strategies, creating and reinforcing good governance structures, fostering a positive environment for economic growth and helping the private sector flourish. The EU welcomes the strong and comprehensive commitments made in this regard by the African countries through the African Union, and its NEPAD initiative, and reflected in the Summit Outcome.

The World Summit fell far short of expectations but we cannot simply write it off. 'Judging from its outcome, it is merely a reiteration of old promises. But alongside the agreed bottom line, individual member states have lined up in a kind of beauty contest to set out their own initiatives and commitments to international co-operation,' observed Paul Chitnis, President of CIDSE (http://www.cidse.org). 'The 350,000 citizens who have participated in the CIDSE postcard campaign and the millions involved in the Global Call to Action against Poverty will hold their governments accountable to these commitments. They will challenge them to finally translate all their long made promises into action. Viewing the challenge at a larger level, he observed, 'Multilateralism was gravely compromised in the final preparatory phase of the Summit when some countries held the success of the summit hostage to their own interests. It is urgently necessary for world leaders to address this breakdown and prove their commitment to a global partnership for development and renewal.' 'The Millennium Development Goals, which were developed to tackle the most urgent crises including the lack of food security, inequitable distribution of resources and debt, demand global action. A strong United Nations is crucial in this endeavour,' he ended.

UN Secretary General on the outcome document, at the end of the United Nations world summit. It has been described as ''disappointing'' or ''watered down''. This is true in part he says, but, taken as a whole, the document is still a remarkable expression of world unity on a wide range of issues.

A full copy of the 2005 World Summit Final Report is available online:
http://www.un.org/summit2005/documents.html

Joint statement by African and international CSOs ahead of the UN Millennium+5 review summit http://www.whiteband.org/specialIssues/UNP5/unp52/gcapnews.2005-08-23.6564371984/en
dgCapacity Development for MDGs: http://topics.developmentgateway.org/mdg?intcmp=903

Between Frustration and Optimism: The Development Outcome of the Millennium+5 Summit, by Thomas Fues / Markus Loewe, Briefing Paper No. 7/2005, German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), Bonn 2005, http://www.die-gdi.de/die_homepage.nsf/91dea6712d99617ac12569cb00547f10/90f39efa0fed80bec1257092006337f1?OpenDocument


2. UNCTAD points to fundamental shift in global economic interdependence

The nature of global economic interdependence is being fundamentally changed by the economic ascent of China and India, according to UNCTAD's Trade Development Report for 2005. The key message of the 2005 Trade and Development Report is that while the world economy is still expanding there are also some serious risks of a setback because of global trade imbalances and surging oil prices. This will be difficult to be corrected without a worldwide recession. The solution, the report argues, has to build on higher domestic demand in Europe and Japan, but a coordinated international macroeconomic approach that includes the major developing countries is also needed. Rapid growth in China and India has driven up global commodity prices, increased South-South trade, and led to the emergence of East and South Asia as ''a new growth pole in the global economy.'' The annual study hailed economic growth in developing countries in 2004 as being higher and more broad-based than in previous years. Developing country output that year grew by 6.4 percent more than in 2003 -- 5.7 percent in Latin America, 4.6 percent in Africa, and 6.9 percent in Asia. It warned, however, that worldwide economic growth in 2005 had already slowed due to weakness in developed country economies coupled with high oil prices, and that growth in developing countries has been ''depending excessively on the US economy.'' (ICTSD).
The report presents the most recent data on regional and international FDI trends. It examines a new phenomenon in R&D investment: while high-tech research has traditionally been kept within national borders, more and more transnational corporations are opening high-tech research labs in developing countries - marking a sea change in international economic relations.

  • Developing countries emerge as attractive locations for R & D
  • Surge in foreign direct investment in developing countries reverses global downturn
  • Foreign direct investment in Africa remains buoyant, sustained by interest in natural resources
  • Foreign direct investment in developing Asia and Oceania reaches new high
  • Foreign direct investment rebounds in Latin America and the Caribbean
  • FDI rises for fourth year in a row in South-East Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States
The ''Trade and Development Report 2005: New features of global interdependence'' is available online at http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=6086&intItemID=3453&lang=1&mode=downloads.


3. UN Human Development Report highlights concern over agricultural trade

UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report focuses on global aid, trade and security policies, and their respective roles in lifting the world's poorest people out of extreme poverty. With regard to trade, an area on which the HDR has tended not to focus, the study draws attention to problems that impede development, stating ''the world's highest trade barriers are erected against some of its poorest countries.'' It cites unfair subsidies and high import tariffs in developed countries as significant obstacles for growth in the agricultural sector in the developing world. The HDR is well known for its 'human development index,' a ranking of 177 countries on the basis of their performance on health and education, in addition to per capita income. The index's 15 year history has seen it grow into a much anticipated and somewhat controversial update on levels of development around the world. (Source: BRIDGES) http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2005/


4. Development: EU Takes a Small Step Forward

The Commission has published in July a Communication proposing a ''Brussels consensus'' on development cooperation as well as guidelines for implementation of development policy by the Community to be discussed and agreed jointly by the three institutions by the end of the year. This will serve as a basis to discuss the challenges ahead for European development Co-operation in the context of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) stock-taking event. Coherence and quality of aid in practice are at the top of the agenda for an improved effectiveness. The state of the discussions between the three institutions will also be debated as well as the willingness of Member States to commit into a Declaration on EU development policy.

The new European Union development policy is only a minor step forward in the fight against poverty, development groups are warning. The development policy statement (DPS) announced in July by the European Commission, the European Union executive, is too vague and too pro-European, development leaders said at a meeting organised last week by the Society for International Development, a Rome-based network of individuals and organisations. ''If Europe is to play a leading role in the fight for the eradication of the root causes of poverty, the DPS is only a minor step forward. In fact there is no need to have a policy statement if the EU does not get itself appropriate tools to serve this policy,'' Florent Sebban, policy adviser for Eurostep, a Brussels-based network of development non-governmental organisations (NGOs) told IPS. ''Nice words alone will not diminish inequalities in the world. This statement should better clarify the tools that Europe will have at its disposal to deliver on development,'' he added. The new DPS links development support with EU common foreign and security policy, trade policy and other related policy areas such as migration, environment and employment. (by Stefania Bianchi, IPShttp://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=30218). More Reactions on Development Policy Statement: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=30218


5. Financing for Development

Gordon Brown, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, hosted a meeting of EU Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) and Central Bank Governors on the 9 and 10 September 2005, in Manchester, UK. Amongst the issues discussed of interest for the ACP is the financing for development. Finance Ministers agreed the following statement on debt relief and innovative financing as part of a common EU position on development financing to be presented to the UN Financing for Development High Level Dialogue. ''On aid volume, we recall the commitment to the 16-17 June European Council to reach a collective ODA/GNI target of 0.7% by 2015, and an collective intermediate target of 0.56% by 2010. We also reaffirm the need to improve the quality and effectiveness of aid. We welcome and support the G8 proposal to cancel 100% of outstanding debt of eligible Heavily Indebted Poor Countries to the IMF, IDA, and African Development Fund and, on a fair burden-sharing basis, to provide additional resources to ensure that the initiative is fully financed without reducing the IFIs' financing capacity. We must ensure that the problem of unsustainable debt will not re-occur. We look forward to the implementation of the G8 proposal subject to the resolution of important issues at the IFIs' Boards.

EU Member States are united in their commitments to increasing aid and follow several routes to that aim. Some Member States firmly believe that innovative financing mechanisms can help deliver and bring forward the financing necessary to achieve the MDGs and may contribute to the achievement of the new ODA/GNI target. A group of Member States will implement the International Finance Facility (IFF) as a mechanism to frontload resources for development. A group of countries have launched the IFF for immunisation and made firm financial commitments. A group of EU Member States will implement a contribution on airline tickets to enable financing development projects, in particular in the health sector, directly or through financing the IFF. Some other EU Member States are considering whether and to what extent they will participate in these initiatives or otherwise continue to enhance traditional ODA.On trade, we underline the importance of a successful conclusion of the WTO Doh a development agenda (DDA) and increased support to developing countries to build their capacity to trade.'' http://www.eu2005.gov.uk

Brown's debt deal 'puts World Bank aid at risk' Gordon Brown's $40 billion debt relief deal for Africa could jeopardise aid programmes in some of the world's poorest countries if the G8 fails to back its promises with cash, the World Bank is warning. Source: Guardian, http://www.choike.org/cgi-bin/choike/nuevo_eng/jump_inf.cgi?ID=3260


6. Trade liberalisation and domestic reform the keys to combating poverty

Trade liberalisation is crucial to the fight against hunger and poverty but it is not enough on its own, Members of European Parliament were told by experts at a hearing of the International Trade Committee on 13 September. Domestic reforms, such as scrapping farm subsidies in the rich countries, are also needed. MEPs broadly supported this view but added that the linkage between liberalisation and poverty was not always clear cut and that every country's circumstances were different. Agriculture was seen as a key area by most experts and MEPs, as it accounts for between 50% and 90% of employment in developing countries. There was a broad consensus that the benefits of trade liberalisation must be accompanied by domestic reforms in both developed and developing countries. Patrick Messerlin, professor of economics at Sciences Po, Paris, argued that the main responsibility for fighting poverty in developing countries lay with the OECD countries, especially the EU. He said the elimination of export subsidies was certainly not enough: domestic subsidies and price support must be dismantled too. Apart from trade liberalisation, he added, there was a need for sound domestic governance using a wise mix of regulatory reform, domestic subsidies and taxes. According to Veena Jha, Coordinator of the UNCTAD India Programme, trade liberalisation, in particular liberalisation of the agriculture, textile and clothing industries, generally had a positive impact on poverty reduction. However, she believed differentiated trade liberalisation would yield the best results. http://www.europarl.eu.int/parliament/public.do?language=en


7. MIGA Launches Small Investment Program

A new program aimed at supporting small and medium-sized investors has been launched by MIGA http://www.miga.org. The Small Investment Program http://www.miga.org/sitelevel2/level2.cfm?id=1088 -- offers a standardized package of risk coverage that includes Currency Transfer Restriction, Expropriation, and War and Civil Disturbance. The application form http://www.miga.org/sitelevel2/level2.cfm?id=1088&refid=1887 can be completed online. There is no application fee for small and medium-sized investors. Eligibility requirements for this program can be found at -- http://www.miga.org/index.cfm?aid=259. For more information, please contact MIGASIP @ worldbank.org.


8. Foreign remittances could overtake FDI and aid, says Asian Development Bank

The Asian Development Bank -- http://www.adb.org -- predicted that in most developing countries in Asia foreign remittances are growing at a rate that will make them exceed FDI flows and overseas development assistance combined in the near future. Foreign remittances are currently estimated to exceed US$200 billion annually, with four countries in Asia (India, the Philippines, China and Pakistan) being the largest recipients. For these beneficiaries, foreign remittances have become a large and growing source of national income, a trend that is likely to continue. http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2005/ADB-IADB-MIF-UNDP/default.asp


9. Training and Events

GTZ-Workshop on value chains
25 October in the GTZ HQ, Eschborn, Germany
GTZ in cooperation with GDI and BMZ will hold a workshop on the topic .Shaping Value Chains for Development. The focus will lie on the presentation and discussion of five new topical studies. For more information, please contact Rainer Engels, rainer.engels @ gtz.de

Training Course: Private Sector Development - PSD
http://www.mdf.nl/en/training_course.php?country_id=nl&®ion_id=01&&course_id=PSD
5 -16 December 2005, MDF, Ede, The Netherlands
Provide insight in the creation of an enabling environment for private sector development in a sector wide approach. Analyse a sector, delineate between public and private actors and execute a SME simulation package.

Donor Conference: Reforming the Business Environment
http://www.sedonors.org/cairo
From assessing problems to measuring results
Cairo,29 Nov -1 Dec. 05
The Business Environment Working Group of the Committee of Donor Agencies for Small Enterprise Development will hold an international conference on ''Reforming the Business Environment - from assessing problems to measuring results'' in Cairo from 29 November to 1 December 2005. This conference has been designed for headquarter and field staff of donor agencies, as well as developing-country representatives of government and the private sector and relevant academic and civil society organizations.

How to promote the export capacity of SMEs in Latinamerica?
¿Cómo promover capacidad exportadora de la MYPE de Latinoamérica?
http://www.6encuentro-sdemype.org/home.php 26-28.10.2005, Quito, Ecuador.
El Foro Ecuatoriano de la Microempresa (FOME) y el Comité Internacional del 6to Encuentro Latinoamericano de Servicios de Desarrollo Empresarial (SDE) para la Micro y Pequeña Empresa (MYPE), convocan a su sexta edición ¿CÓMO PROMOVER CAPACIDAD EXPORTADORA?

International Cooperation and Urban Development
http://www.par-darmstadt.de/masterstudium.htm
April 2006 / Darmstadt University of Technology, Darmstadt, Germany, 2-years MSc postgraduate course at Darmstadt University or one-year diploma course. Continuation for PhD with a minimum of 1 year (non resident). Start in April 2006. Info: par @ par.tu-darmstadt.de

Atelier: Promotion des filières agricoles en Afrique
http://www2.gtz.de/snrd/downloads/Annonce_Benin.doc
7-10 Novembre 2005, Cotonou, Bénin
L'atelier traitera des filières porteuses pour développer le potentiel économique en milieu rural et abordera des études de cas vécus dans les pays de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Info: Stefan Pletziger, email: Stefan.Pletziger @ gtz.de , fax numéro: +229 30 44 16

Geneva Private Capital Symposium: Investing Private Capital in Micro & Small Business Finance
http://www.geneva-conference-microfinance.com
The Geneva Private Capital Symposium, October 10-11, 2005, will put forth the business case for micro and small business finance. It will provide a platform for the leading practitioners of the field to present today's foremost investment opportunities. The symposium will display leading financial institutions, including BlueOrchard, Deutsche Bank, Dexia, responsAbility, and MicroVest.

Second Latin American Academy organised in Brazil on 8-13 November
http://www.eurochambres.be/academy/
EUROCHAMBRES will organise the 2nd Latin American Academy in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 8-13 November. This programme is targeted at executives and representatives from national, regional and local Chambers of Commerce and industrial associations in Latin America. In addition, eight places will be offered to European Chambers executives on a preferential basis. Contact: Sophie Devos or Fernando Ramos An AL-Invest CONNECT meeting will be organised in Recife (Brazil) on 14-16 November, right after the EUROCHAMBRES Academy. http://www.connectrecifebrasil2005.com.br

CEI Summit Economic Forum
http://www.ceinet.org/main.php?pageID=30
23-24 November 2005, Bratislava, Slovakia
Contact: info.sef @ cei-es.org


10. Publications

Global Competitiveness Report 2005-2006
http://www.weforum.org/site/homepublic.nsf/Content/Global+Competitiveness+Programme%5CGlobal+Competitiveness+Report
The World Economic Forum has released Global Competitiveness Report 2005-2006. This annual study is a valuable tool for shaping economic policy and guiding investment decisions. It is one of the leading monitors of the competitive condition of economies worldwide. Produced in collaboration with leading academics and a global network of 122 Partner Institutes, The Global Competitiveness Report has expanded its geographic coverage over the years and now assesses 117 economies. The report is unique in that the methodology combines publicly available data with survey data that captures the perceptions and observations of business leaders in a given country.

World Development Report 2007: Development and the Next Generation
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/EXTWDRS/EXTWDR2007/0,,menuPK:1489865~pagePK:64167702~piPK:64167676~theSitePK:1489834,00.html
The theme of the The theme of the World Development Report (WDR) 2007 is youth-young people between the ages of 12 to 24. As this population group seeks identity and independence, they make decisions that affect not only their own well-being, but that of others, and they do this in a rapidly changing demographic and socio-economic environment.

The 2005 UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Report on the World Social Situation: the Inequality Predicament
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/rwss/media%2005/index.html
The Report sounds alarm over persistent and deepening inequality worldwide, focusing on the chasm between the formal and informal economies, the widening gap between skilled and unskilled workers, the growing disparities in health, education and opportunities for social, economic and political participation.

Marketing for Small-Scale Producers
http://www.ruralfinance.org/id/24576#koinfo
This Agrodok book is the first one in a series on social-economic topics and is intended for small-scale producers. As this book suggests, marketing a product is very different from producing it. Each activity requires specific knowledge and insight.

Making Poverty Reduction Work: OECD's Role in Development Partnership
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/31/5/34839878.pdf

The World Bank's annual World Development Report for 2006 -Equity and Development
http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/EXTWDRS/EXTWDR2006/0,,contentMDK:20586898~menuPK:897405~pagePK:64167689~piPK:64167673~theSitePK:477642,00.html

An assessment of development policy in the EU
http://brussels.cta.int/files/news640/file1.pdf
This year has witnessed a revival of development policy at global level. In this paper ''Revamping Development Efforts: An assessment of development policy in the EU'', produced by The European Policy Centre (EPC - http://www.theepc.net/), renowned experts and practioners address the key issues ahead of the review of the Millennium Goals that will take place in New York later this month, as part of a collective effort to raise awareness and maintain pressure on the EU not only to keep up its efforts, but also to lead the way with a more proactive and coherent approach towards achieving results.

Strengthening Social Policy: Lessons on forging government-civil society policy partnerships
http://www.iog.ca/publications/social_pol_partnerships_summary.pdf

CGAP: Anti-money laundering might hit low-income clients
http://www.cgap.org/docs/FocusNote_29.pdf
A CGAP Focus Note warns that for the poor who depend on microfinance services, the increased costs of institutions' compliance and tighter restrictions bacuase of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism may have the unintended consequence of driving low-income clients out of the formal sector.

Anti-Money Laundering Regulations and Legislation
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c24773/
Around the world, anti-money laundering regulations and legislation have become one of the weapons of choice of governments that are fighting global terrorism and criminality. Doug Hopton's highly practical guide explains the basis of international law, regulations and standards in this area and how they effect businesses and provides down to earth advice on the basic rules of good business management: know your client, know your business (and your clients business) that will help companies understand what procedures to establish and how an when to report suspicious activity. The author explains the basis of money laundering and how it works, along with the development of the law and regulations around the world, and how other countries laws can have an effect on companies in the UK.

Action-Research and Business Development Services
http://www.bds-ethiopia.net/email-bds-newsletter.htm
Action-Research is a participatory method to implement development interventions in close contact with the people involved: 1. Assure close contact by regular visits of business advisors (facilitators) to the business owners. For this train facilitators in taking contact with businesses and on how to introduce your concern. 2. Make demand-driven needs assessment: ask business owners on their situation, main problems and proposals of solutions. 3. Write it down in an action-plan together with the business owner and agree self-help action of the owner and additional support of the facilitator and other service providers.

SMEs and e-Commerce in Three Philippine Cities
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1045140?intcmp=700
This study seeks to document the current level of information and communications technology (ICT) utilization and e-commerce use among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines. It also seeks to identify perceived impediments or obstacles for SMEs' greater use of the same for business purposes. OECD's Development Assistance Committee Journal
http://www.oecd.org/document/19/0,2340,en_2649_34835_2092883_1_1_1_1,00.html
The DAC Journal comprises four issues a year. The first number is the Development Co-operation Report: Efforts and Policies of the Members of the Development Assistance Committee -- an annual overview and analysis of member countries' development co-operation programmes (this ''special edition'' may also be ordered separately.) The remaining three issues gather together in-depth country reviews plus rich and varied occasional papers on development co-operation issues. While subscriptions are solicieted, many of the contents are available online.

EPA negotiations: ESA configuration
http://www.epawatch.net/general/text.php?itemID=298&menuID=6
Summary of SEATINI study on the impact of EPA negotiations on poverty with a focus on Uganda, and link for downloading the full report

IMF Briefing on Latin America and the Caribbean
http://ifis.choike.org/informes/158.html
The IMF predicted a promising outlook for the region, although it also warned about the risks arising from the volatility in oil prices and a possible cycle of international market imbalances. The region is better prepared now than it was some years ago to face these challenges, although institutional reforms that would provide the framework to attract more and better investments are still pending. Source: Monitor IFIs en América Latina

Funding Microfinance Technology
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/microfinance/rc/ItemDetail.do~1046834?intcmp=700
A wide range of technologies is available to help microfinance providers improve efficiency, track operations more accurately, increase transparency, and reach new customers. Yet the majority of microfinance institutions struggle to select the right technologies

From Red Tape to Smart Tape: Administrative Simplification in OECD Countries
http://www1.oecd.org/publications/e-book/4203061e.pdf
This report analyses proven approaches commonly adopted by governments to reduce and streamline administrative procedures such as one-stop shops (physical and electronic), simplification of permits and licence procedures, time limits for decision-making, methods to measure administrative burdens, regulatory-compliance assistance for small and medium-size companies, and increasing reliance on IT-based solutions.

Tools: Trade Promotion vs. Investment Promotion
http://www.intracen.org/execforum/ef2001/chap13.pdf
Proactive investment promotion is an essential feature of a successful national export strategy. Strong synergies exist between both, thus IPIs and Trade Promotion Institutes often work under the same umbrella. What is the relationship between the two? How does one articulate and coordinate these closely-related functions? Best practice suggests that integrations of both competences should be at the level of strategy reinforcement, in-country servicing to foreign partners and foreign investor identification. Coordination is necessary but does not necessarily mean merging trade and investment promotion within the same institution.


11. Websites

EC launches information campaign on MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)
http://www.europe-cares.org
The European Commission has launched an information campaign on the internet and through audiovisual spots to promote the EU's support to the Millennium Development Goals. The website displays the European Union's policy priorities in supporting the MDGs: additional funds, improved policy-coherence and coordination and increased speed of aid delivery. The website also displays the state of achievement of the MDGs, shows examples of EU aid projects and features an open forum for debate.

152 e-Governance Case Studies from Developing & in Transition Countries
http://216.197.119.113/artman/publish/casestudies.shtml
Links to 152 e-Governance Case-studies from over 55 developing and transition countries.

ELDIS: Business and the MDGs
http://www.eldis.org/csr/
Businesses have an important role to play in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The impact which businesses have on many developing countries is immense, and can be both negative and positive. In order for the private sector to be a constructive driving force in achieving the MDGs, the negative impacts have to be mitigated and the positive ones need to be harnessed effectively

The World Bank's Doing Business database http://www.doingbusiness.org/
The World Bank has launched the 2006 edition of its Doing Business series. This report analyzes regulations that enhance or restrict investment productivity and growth, and presents data for a series of doing-business indicators by country. The 2006 edition focuses specifically on job creation and employment. In addition, the report ranks countries according to the ease of doing business -- http://www.doingbusiness.org/EconomyRankings/. New Zealand, Singapore, the United States, Canada and Norway are the top five countries in the rankings, while Lithuania, Estonia and Thailand are the top-ranked developing countries. The full set of data from the latest report is available on the Doing Business Web site in English and Spanish.
http://publications.worldbank.org/ecommerce/catalog/product-detail?product_id=1385010

World Economy & Development in brief
http://www.world-economy-and-development.org
World Economy & Development in brief is a bi-monthly information service on globalisation, international development and environmental issues which will be published regularly as of April 2006.

Import Desk Latin America
http://www.lateinamerika-importdesk.de
In January 2005 GTZ and BGA, the Federation of German Wholesale and Foreign Trade, entered a strategic partnership for the promotion of ecological food with Latin American provenience. In this context both partners launched a new website, which is intended to serve as import desk.

Insecurityforum.org -A new way to debate issues of insecurity and development
http://www.insecurityforum.org
EADI has launched Insecurityforum - a new online platform on issues of insecurity and development. Insecurityforum with the help of a weblog will create a space for substantive discussion on the internet by attracting new ideas, views, research findings and information on international development issues and trends.

Eldis Trade resource guide
http://www.eldis.org/trade/index.htm
The Eldis Trade Resource Guide has undergone a radical transformation. This is to facilitate the exploration of various key themes and sub-themes within the broad area of trade policy and development. New themes include 'EU and trade', with categories on the Everything but Arms and Economic Partnership Agreements; 'Intellectual Property Rights'; trade and agriculture; and trade liberalisation and protection.

Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East & Southern Africa (CIPESA)
http://www.cipesa.org
CIPESA commentaries are short informative articles or essays on current issues affecting East and Southern African stakeholders. They focus specifically on international policy-making processes related to information and communications technology (ICT), and the use of ICT for poverty reduction. CIPESA was established under the Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) initiative, funded by the UK Department for International Development. CIPESA is a program of bridges.org.

EthicsWorld
http://www.ethicsworld.com
EthicsWorld is the forum on the web for business ethics, governance, and anti-corruption. EthicsWorld contributes to the work of professionals engaged in improving corporate integrity, accountability, and social responsibility; strengthening private sector ethics compliance; forging good governance in the public sector

The Robert Schuman Foundation
http://www.robert-schuman.org
This Foundation processes and distributes a great amount of European information that is available to the researchers and the broader public.

IFIs Latin American Monitor
http://ifis.choike.org
This initiative aims at contributing to the Latin American and global International Financial Institutions (IFIs) campaigns for reform of the Bretton Woods institutions by translating key information, producing and disseminating analysis and providing a point of access to research results,opinions and campaigning activities, thus promoting dialogue and collaboration between key actors. This is a project of the Instituto del Tercer Mundo (ITeM) with the financial support of the Mott Foundation.

ELDIS: Microfinance and commercial banks: are they compatible?
http://www.eldis.org/finance
Microfinance has its supporters and its detractors, but there is no denying that it has grown exponentially over the last decade. What microfinance has shown is that poor people are bankable. Commercial banks are realising the potential of this market and some are beginning to develop their own microfinance products. This week ELDIS considers the benefits and drawbacks of this new relationship, featuring viewpoints from Women's News and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, in addition to four new resources from USAID.

ALIBABA.COM marketing services for importers and exporters
http://www.alibaba.com
Alibaba.com is the world's largest marketplace for global trade and is the leading provider of online marketing services for importers and exporters. With over 4 million registered members worldwide, Alibaba.com is the number one destination for volume buyers and qualified sellers to find trade opportunities and promote their businesses online.

Customs Rulings Online Search System
http://rulings.cbp.gov
At this site you can search a database of more than 125,000 rulings, with more added regularly. There are some hair-raising accounts of CBP agents on the trail of drug smugglers, illegal aliens, and suspected terrorists. There are also links to the Harmonized Tariff schedule, Customs Bulletins, Informed Compliance, Code of Federal Regulations, and more.

Capacity.org relaunch with new partners
http://www.capacity.org
The website now includes a number of additional interactive features so that readers can more easily provide feedback and contribute their knowledge and share experiences. The printed journal now has twice as many pages, and is more easily accessible in terms of design and content. Subscriptions to the journal are free of charge and can be requested at www.capacity.org


 

Back to weitzenegger.de