Poorest countries are biggest losers from economic shocks, says World Bank Combined impact of Covid crisis, Ukraine war and tough measures by central banks taking heavy toll The Guardian - UK · Jun 6, 2023
Report says 2.3 billion people globally use polluting fuel to cook; 675 million have no electricity A report by five international organizations says up to 2.3 billion people around the world are still using polluting fuels to cook, and 675 million don’t have electricity The Independent UK · Jun 6, 2023
New Lowy South-East Asia Aid Map finds China overtaken as largest provider of development money in region New research finds China has surrendered its position as the largest single provider of development finance in South-East Asia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. ABC News · Jun 4, 2023
World Bank's new chief asks staff to 'double down' on development, climate efforts The World Bank's new president Ajay Banga on Friday asked the lender's 16,000 staff to "double down" on development and climate efforts as he seeks to accelerate the bank's evolution to tackle the most pressing global problems. Reuters · Jun 2, 2023
South Africa's role as host of the BRICS summit is fraught with dangers. A guide to who is in the group, and why it exists South Africa will host the BRICS summit in August 2023. The event could offer the country an opportunity to exercise leadership in the BRICS’ efforts to reform the arrangements for global economic governance and in supporting sustainable and inclusive development in Africa and the Global South. However, the opportunity has… The Conversation · Jun 2, 2023
African countries agree major soil fertiliser deal to combat food crisis Seventeen countries in West Africa and the Sahel have agreed a deal to make soil fertilisers more accessible and affordable. The region, heavily dependent on imports, is facing a major food crisis that has been exacerbated by climate change. Radio France Internationale · Jun 1, 2023
Albanese government urged to push international banks to stop funding fossil fuel development Exclusive: Report claims Australia’s shareholdings in development banks has made it responsible for investing $828m in fossil fuel projects over five years The Guardian - AU · Jun 1, 2023
World Bank lends $50.8 million to cut air pollution in Bosnian region The World Bank has approved a 46.1 million euro ($50.8 million) loan to help Bosnia's autonomous Bosniak-Croat Federation tackle alarming air pollution and its health and economic consequences, the bank said on Wednesday. Reuters · May 31, 2023
Ghana and the IMF have struck a deal, but hard choices lie ahead In mid-May 2023 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) finally approved a US$3 billion 36-month arrangement with Ghana. It immediately disbursed the first tranche of US$600 million. The Conversation · May 30, 2023
World Bank approves $1 billion loan to Kenya The World Bank said on Tuesday it approved a $1 billion loan to Kenya to support its budget as East Africa's economic powerhouse confronts high debts and a weakening currency. Reuters · May 30, 2023
Arkhom coy on diesel excise tax cut Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has refused to take a stance on whether the diesel excise tax cut needs to be extended, saying it depends on global oil prices. Bangkok Post · May 29, 2023
Thailand must raise revenue to boost spending: World Bank Thailand must bolster its revenue collection in the long term to meet growing public spending needs stemming from an ageing population, according to the World Bank. Bangkok Post · May 29, 2023
Thai economy resilient, on path to full recovery: Arkhom Thailand's economy is on a solid path to recovery and showing resiliency, helped by good revenue collection and a normalisation of its tourism sector, while inflation should come in below 3% this year, the finance minister said on Monday. Bangkok Post · May 29, 2023
World Bank approves $300 million financing to help poor people in Lebanon The World Bank has approved a $300 million additional financing to Lebanon's poor, giving cash to families struggling in the country’s historic economic meltdown The Independent UK · May 26, 2023
Bangkok Post · May 25, 2023 Trying to keep small islands afloat It is too early to tell whether all the talk about reforming development finance at this year's International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings will translate into meaningful policy action for the Global South. But multilateral financial institutions increasingly recognise the need to evolve to remain relevant in light…
The Conversation · May 25, 2023 Tinubu inherits Nigeria’s high debt – an economist analyses what this means for the country's future As the 16th president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherits an economy that is grappling with inflation, chronic unemployment, extreme poverty, crumbling infrastructure and insecurity.
Reuters · May 25, 2023 As drought withers Tunisian fields, state feels financial pinch As rains failed, Tunisian farmers watched their crops wither this spring, harvesting early to salvage some as animal feed and piling costs on a state struggling to afford wheat imports with bakeries running out of bread.
The Conversation · May 24, 2023 60 years of African unity: what's failed and what's succeeded Africa Day this year marks 60 years since the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The anniversary begs the question: How much of the vision of the OAU’s founding fathers has been realised 60 years on? What would not be there but for the efforts of the organisation…
The Times of India · May 23, 2023 India-Australia relationship is based on mutual trust and mutual respect:PMModi Mutual trust and respect foundation of India-Australia ties: PM Modi
The Independent UK · May 18, 2023 Takeaways of AP's report on Chinese loans pushing poor countries to brink of collapse A dozen poor countries are facing economic instability and even collapse because of a common, undeniable factor: their struggle to pay back hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign loans, much of them from the world’s biggest and most unforgiving government lender, China
The Independent UK · May 18, 2023 'Clock has hit midnight': China loans pushing world’s poorest countries to brink of collapse A dozen poor countries are facing economic instability and even collapse under the weight of hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign loans, much of them from the world’s biggest and most unforgiving government lender, China
The Guardian - UK · May 17, 2023 ‘Investors want evidence’: how robust location data can add weight to firms’ environmental reporting When it comes to risk and reputation, ESG considerations are at the heart of many business decisions. But companies need accurate information from trustworthy sources
Reuters · May 16, 2023 World Bank suspends $1 billion worth of project funding in Congo The World Bank has suspended funding for humanitarian and development projects in Democratic Republic of Congo worth more than $1 billion after the government dissolved the project fund without warning, the lender said.
The Hindu · May 14, 2023 World Bank grant to help set up AI cameras, traffic management systems in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla and Nurpur The World Bank has approved a grant of ₹51 crore to set up an integrated road safety enforcement system in Shimla and Nurpur police districts and develop the Palampur-Sheela chowk in Kangra as a “safe corridor”, officials said here.
The Independent UK · May 14, 2023 Off-grid solar brings light, time and income to remotest villages In Indonesia's far-east island of Sumba, off-grid solar is lighting up lives for residents still living out of reach of the country's national electricity provider