Finance & Economics

South Africa: Find new ways to boost growth and job creation

The South African economy has registered tremendous progress over the past two decades, boosting living standards and lifting millions out of poverty nationwide. Further reforms are now necessary, however, to revive economic growth and ensure that all South Africans can benefit from it, according to a new report from the OECD.

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2017 Article IV Consultation with Saudi Arabia

On July 17, 2017, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV Consultation with Saudi Arabia.

Drivers to benefit from free Severn crossings from 2018

Welsh Secretary announces Severn tolls will be abolished by the end of next year

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Beyond Brexit: Britain and the global economy

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Timor-Leste: World Bank Appoints New Country Representative

The World Bank’s new Country Representative for Timor-Leste says the coming years present great opportunities, as the country faces important choices on investments in infrastructure, education and health that will shape the country’s development.

EU customs seized over 41 million fake goods at EU borders last year

New figures released by the European Commission show that customs authorities detained more than 41 million fake and counterfeit products at the EU's external border in 2016. The goods had a total value of over €670 million. Everyday products which are potentially dangerous to health and safety – such as food and drink, medicines, toys and household electrical goods - accounted for over a third of all intercepted goods.

New Open Source Tool a “Breakthrough” in Electrification Planning

Governments and others planning how to reach more households with electricity have a powerful, new open source tool that estimates the optimal way to do so, now available on the recently launched ENERGYDATA.INFO.

IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Mozambique

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Michel Lazare visited Mozambique from July 10-19, 2017 to discuss with the authorities measures needed to follow up on the recent audit report of EMATUM, Proindicus, and MAM public sector companies. The team also assessed recent economic developments and discussed monetary and fiscal policies in the context of the 2018 budget.

Groceries Code review notes significant cultural change in supermarket industry

The first statutory review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) was published on July 19th

Small Business Minister Margot James has welcomed a positive relationship change between supermarkets and their suppliers, as she publishes the first statutory review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) on 19th July 2017.

A Modern Dhaka is Key to Bangladesh’s Upper-Middle Income Country Vision

With 36 percent of the country’s urban population living in Greater Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh has become one of the world’s most densely populated cities. To achieve its vision of becoming an upper-middle income country by its 50th birthday, Bangladesh must manage Dhaka’s urban growth.