Finance & Economics | WPN World People News

Governments should do more to improve the design and delivery of new laws, as even small efforts to fix regulatory shortcomings can have a tangible positive impact on economic activity and well-being, according to a new OECD report.

As part of continuing efforts to support market confidence and business integrity, the OECD has launched in Asia a new set of corporate governance principles that were endorsed at the G20 Finance Ministers meeting in September 2015.

The World Bank Thursday approved a US$ 50 million credit for the Nai Manzil: Education and Skills Training for Minorities Project to help school drop-outs from minority communities complete their education and gain from market-driven training programs with the aim of integrating them into employment mainstream.

A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Mr. Roberto Guimarães-Filho visited Fiji from October 15-28 to conduct Article IV consultation discussions with the Fijian authorities.

A draft EU law that would enable any EU member state to restrict or prohibit the sale and use of EU-approved GMO food or feed on its territory was rejected by the European Parliament on Wednesday. Members are concerned that the law might prove unworkable or that it could lead to the reintroduction of border checks between pro- and anti-GMO countries. They call on the Commission to table a new proposal.

On October 21, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Ex Post Evaluation of the 2011–14 Stand-by Arrangement with St. Kitts and Nevi

In the midst of an uncertain global economic environment, GDP growth for the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region is expected to increase to 1.4 percent for 2015, with 1.8 percent growth projected for 2016. But prospects for countries vary widely: the western part of the region will likely continue its fragile recovery in 2016, while the eastern part of the region will increasingly suffer large income losses.

Afghan inventor Nour Mohammad Mohammadi, 23, teaches electronics to female Afghan refugees in Iran.

A new World Bank Group report finds that Thailand has retained its position among the top 50 economies worldwide and has ranked third among ASEAN countries on the ease of doing business.

Economic activity in Sub-Saharan Africa has weakened markedly although growth remains stronger than in many other regions, with growth expected at 3.75 percent in 2015 and 4.25 percent in 2016, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on October 27. In its October 2015 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa, titled Dealing with the Gathering Clouds, the IMF attributed the slowdown to the combination of the sharp fall of commodity prices and more difficult financing conditions.