World Trade Organization - Joint study: restrictive measures continue apace, accrued restraints hit 3% of imports
WTO News, 31 May, 2012

The seventh WTO-OECD-UNCTAD report for the G-20 on trade and investment restrictions reveals that government-imposed trade and investment restrictions have not slowed and that the pace of removing such obstacles has decelerated. The accumulation of such restraints means that nearly 3% of global imports are affected while the restrictions now impact nearly 4% of G-20 trade. More...

Pascal Lamy: Aid for Trade can play "catalytic role" in trade finance
WTO News, 15 May, 2012

WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, in opening the Aid for Trade Workshop on Trade Finance at the WTO on 15 May 2012, said that "only a third of the poorest countries benefit regularly from services offered by trade finance programmes". He said that Aid for Trade, by encouraging sound banking and financial policies, "can play a catalytic role by helping address trade finance access and architecture issues". More... | Opening remarks

Africa must chart a developmental path to avoid uprising
The Independent, 14 May, 2012

As uncertainty around the election of the head of the AU commission continues, Africa must not lose sight of the equally important task of creating a new, long-term growth and development path. More...

Strong growth threatened by rising poverty
Sowetan, 14 May, 2012

Africa’s strong economic growth trajectory is at risk because of rising inequality, according to the 2012 Africa Progress Report. Launched by the African Progress Panel (APP), the report said the region would increase the pace of its growth well beyond 5% over the next two years, but challenges required immediate attention. More...

India's demographic dividend may turn into a nightmare
WTO News, 14 May, 2012

While the number of working age youth in India is on the rise, it is concentrated in regions that are also the poorest, both in terms of savings and job potential. More...

Nepal: Managing urbanisation key to economic growth
The Himalayan Times, 13 May, 2012

Nepal is the least urbanised country in South Asia, but one of the fastest urbanising countries in the region. Managing rapid urbanisation is essential for improving growth, creating jobs and reducing poverty, says the findings of a study ‘NEPAL: Urban Growth and Spatial Transition: An Initial Assessment’.  More...