Finance & Economics | WPN World People News

The difference in working time between workers in the 28 EU Member States remains large and is especially marked between the ‘older’ 15 EU Member States and the 13 new Member States that joined the EU since 2004, according to new research from Eurofound. This is particularly apparent when comparing annual leave entitlements for workers: a gap of 2.5 working weeks is evident between the most generous and the least generous. The trend of converging working time between the 28 EU Member States has clearly stalled.

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the World Bank today (August 18th) signed a US$200 million credit for a First Macroeconomic Stability and Fiscal Resilience Development Policy Operation. This is the first time Myanmar is receiving direct financial support to the Union Budget, aimed at accelerating economic changes needed for long-term peace and prosperity.

Euro area annual inflation was 1.3% in July 2017, stable compared with June 2017. In July 2016 the rate was 0.2%.

The first estimate for euro area (EA19) exports of goods to the rest of the world in June 2017 was €187.2 billion, an increase of 3.9% compared with June 2016 (€180.2 bn). Imports from the rest of the world stood at €160.7 bn, a rise of 6.2% compared with June 2016 (€151.3 bn).

Cambodia can sustain its strong track record in economic growth and poverty reduction, and achieve more inclusive growth by focusing on key priority areas, says a new World Bank report. The report, the Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD), strives to identify key challenges and opportunities for sustainable growth and poverty reduction in Cambodia.

On July 28, 2017, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with China.

China continues to transition to a more sustainable growth path and reforms have advanced across a wide domain. Growth slowed to 6.7 percent in 2016 and is projected to remain robust at 6.7 percent this year owing to the momentum from last year’s policy support, strengthening external demand, and progress in domestic reforms.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Amadou Sy visited Port Louis and Ebène during July 31–August 15, 2017 to conduct the discussions for the 2017 Article IV consultation with Mauritius.

U.S. leadership to place women and girls at the center of U.S. foreign policy and development assistance is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. Evidence suggests that investing in women and girls brings high returns for economic growth, societal well-being and global stability. A 2015 McKinsey Global Institute study found that full participation of women in the global economy would increase annual GDP in 2025 by $28 trillion, or 26%.

Enhanced regulations will better protect an extra 10 million UK package holidays booked online, under proposals outlined on 14 August by UK Consumer Minister Margot James.

On August 1, 2017, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the 2017 Article IV consultation with Iraq.