Category: international organisations
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Foreign Direct Investment in EMDEs: Trends, Challenges, and the Way Forward
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) have been on a steady decline as a share of GDP since the global financial crisis. In the boom years of the 2000s, FDI inflows reached nearly 5% of GDP in a typical EMDE by 2008. Today, they…
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Digitizing Trade: Global Progress and Persistent Gaps
Amid a backdrop of global economic uncertainties and shifting trade dynamics, there is a positive trend emerging in international commerce—countries are steadily advancing in the digitization and simplification of trade processes. This momentum reflects a growing consensus on the critical role of digital and sustainable trade facilitation in enhancing efficiency,…
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The Growing Crisis of Fragile Economies: A Call for Urgent Global Action
Extreme poverty is rising at an alarming rate in countries plagued by conflict, fragility, and instability—marking a troubling reversal in global development trends. According to the latest Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations (FCS) report by the World Bank, these 39 economies now account for nearly half of the world’s extreme poor.…
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Bridging the Fiscal Gap in South Asia: Insights from the World Bank’s Regional Outlook
South Asia stands at a critical juncture. The World Bank’s latest regional economic update paints a sobering picture of dimming growth prospects, deepening fiscal vulnerabilities, and escalating climate threats. After a decade of external shocks and internal inefficiencies, the region must pivot decisively toward robust revenue mobilization and climate-resilient policy…
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Balancing Growth and Debt: The Dilemma of SEZs in a Debt-Ridden World
In recent years, the global economy has witnessed mounting debt burdens that are reshaping fiscal strategies across both developing and developed nations. With over a third of the world’s countries at risk of debt distress, governments are being forced to reprioritize spending, often pulling back on long-term development projects—including Special…
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Tariff and Emerging Markets
In an increasingly globalized world, the economic decisions of powerful nations do not remain confined within their borders. A prolonged trade conflict between two major economic powers—who together account for a significant portion of global output and trade—can have far-reaching implications, especially for emerging economies. The World Trade Organization (WTO)…
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The Global Imperative to Connect the Unconnected
The digital age has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate—but not equally for all. Despite the rapid advancement of communication technologies and increasing global connectivity, 2.6 billion people across the world remain offline. This stark digital divide is not just a technological issue; it is a deeply rooted…
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The Turning Point: Can Emerging Economies Sustain Their Growth Story?
As we approach the midpoint of the twenty-first century, the global economy seems to be settling into a rhythm—but not necessarily one of strength. Global growth is projected to stabilize at 2.7% in 2025-26, which may look acceptable at a glance but falls short of what is needed to drive…
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Trade Facilitation in an Era of Technological Disruption and Political Shifts
Global trade sits at the nexus of rapid technological innovation and significant geopolitical change. Over the past decades, supply chains have knitted the world’s economies together, lifting trade values to record highs (nearly $33 trillion in 2024, a new peak). At the same time, political currents—from trade wars to new…
"Connecting communities, empowering nations: Unifying the Regional and Global Economy ." 