Finance & Economics

EU budget: how to better fund Europe

Reforming how the EU is funded proved again controversial when the European Parliament and the member states negotiated the budget for 2014-2020. The current system relies heavily on national contributions, but this makes it more difficult to reach consensus. A high-level group was set up to explore other options for the EU budget.

OECD annual inflation slows to 1.1% in December 2014 reflecting sharp fall in energy prices

Consumer prices, selected areas
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December 2014 percentage change on the same month of the previous year

Kenya: Devolution and Infrastructure Boost Growth and Shared Prosperity

Devolution and increased investment in infrastructure are improving Kenya’s prospects for growth and shared prosperity, says a new World Bank Group report released on February 4.

Berès and Rehn on European economy: from structural reforms to quantitative easing

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Olli Rehn (left) and Pervenche Berès (right)

IMF Staff Completes 2015 Article IV Mission to Thailand

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Luis Breuer, visited Bangkok and Khon Kaen from January 15-29, 2015, to conduct the 2015 Article IV Consultation discussions. The team exchanged views with officials in the government, Bank of Thailand, and other public agencies and enterprises on recent economic developments in Thailand and the near- to medium-term outlook. It also met with the private sector, civil society, and academia.

Focus on Business Climate and Private Investment Will Be Key to Creating More and Better-paid Jobs in Lao PDR, finds World Bank Group

The growing Lao economy needs to diversify beyond its natural resource base to create more jobs and improve the business environment for foreign and domestic investors, according to two new World Bank Group reports released on February 3.

Mekong Delta Forum builds momentum for coordinated action to improve resilience to climate change and enhance shared prosperity

The Mekong Delta Forum 2015 opened to seek new solutions to the challenges from ongoing development and climate change on February 2, and build for the region’s improved and sustainable livelihoods.

China to Keep Iconic Lijiang River Clean With Help from World Bank

The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors approved a $100 million loan to the People’s Republic of China to support water management and anti-pollution efforts for the Lijiang River in Guilin, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.

European Parliamentary Week: Europe between austerity and growth

EU countries need to continue to cut their budgets, even though the lack of investment is hampering growth, said the European Commission in its Annual Growth Survey for this year.

2015 is a chance to change history, Ban tells UN Youth Forum

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (on screens) addresses Youth Forum at UN Headquarters in New York.