Finance & Economics | WPN World People News

“Economic activity remains strong driven by robust garment exports, tourism, and construction, despite a tepid global recovery. GDP growth is projected at 7 percent in 2013 due to recent floods and a temporary slowdown during the election period

The European Central Bank (ECB) is publishing its ninth report on the results of the “Survey on the access to finance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the euro area”. This survey round was conducted between 28 August and 4 October 2013 in all euro area countries except Slovakia, where survey interviews lasted one week longer. The total sample size for the euro area was 8,305 firms, of which 7,674 (92%) have less than 250 employees. The report mainly provides evidence on changes in the financial situation, financing needs and access to financing of SMEs in the euro area, compared with large firms, during the preceding six months (i.e. from April to September 2013).

Find out the facts about international trade agreements in our infographic.

U.S. President Barack Obama is taking steps to correct problems that have plagued his health care reform program since its launch in October. There is debate over whether the president has made enough changes to the program to quell discontent.

The UK has met a four year target to raise £11 billion worth of economic benefit from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in just over one year.

The World Bank welcomes the release of the initial poverty statistics from the 2011/12 Household Budget Survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The new poverty rate for Tanzania is estimated at 28.2 per cent in 2011/12, which captures the number of Tanzanians who are not able to consume a minimum basic needs basket of goods and services.

A forum organized by the Statistics Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week discussed the key role of statistics in support of effective policy actions taken by country authorities and policy advice provided by the IMF.

On October 21, 2013, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Sierra Leone, and approved a three–year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) in support of the authorities’ economic and financial program for 2013-2016.

Economic growth in Europe's 17-nation euro currency bloc has nearly stalled again, only months after it emerged from a recession that lasted 1.5 years.