Volatility in Chinese Stock Values: Potentially Much More Dangerous than a Greek Tragedy?

The problems facing the global economy in the event of a Greek exit from the euro zone could be dwarfed into insignificance by downward movements on the Chinese Stock Markets. In 1989, Margaret Thatcher  famously declared:  “You can’t buck the

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Enhancing Integration, Unlocking Investment in West Africa

West Africa is stepping up efforts to integrate regional economies and improve the investment climate with the support of the World Bank Group. At a mid-June event in Dakar, a regional public-private dialogue framework was launched to jointly identify regional

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All Eyes on Greece: Is the IMF Asking for More than PM Tsipras Can Deliver?

Financial markets around the world slipped today on growing fears that Greece may be unable to reach an agreement with her international creditors and thereby default on a $1.6 billion loan repayment due this month. Failure to repay could result

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The Proposals from Greece: Prospects for a Deal Improve Dramatically

New economic proposals submitted by Greece on Monday have been welcomed by euro zone leaders and financial markets around the world. The expectation is for a deal to be announced within days. Although in all likelihood the country will need

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Playing with Fire: Greek Tragedy Reaches Climax

As the Greek tragedy nears its climax – now scheduled for next Thursday – European stock and bond markets took a hit with investors scurrying for safety and protagonists hurling verbal abuse across the stage. In Athens, Prime-Minister Alexis Tsipras

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The Time Is Now: Paradigm Shift Signals Opportunity

Few people realise that in 2013 a turning point was reached. In that year, emerging economies displaced developed markets as the main engines of global economic growth. This was not a one-off event or an oddity: it signalled no less

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Principles for Responsible Investment: Fiduciary Duty – Coming of Age

Unfortunately, fiduciary duty can be a contested term when it comes to investments, with different legal interpretations in countries around the world.  Fiduciary obligations exist to ensure that those who manage other people’s money act responsibly and in the interests

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Quantitative Easing: Another Shot for the Caffeine Junkie

Early in March, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced its intention to flood the market with about €1.1 trillion in quantitative easing (QE) monies over the course of 18 months by buying debt instruments – mostly government bonds – on

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IFC: The Art and Science of Benefits Sharing

Non-renewable natural resource projects – that is oil, gas, and minerals – are usually seen as part of a nation’s wealth. Accordingly, their use for the long-term sustainable development of a country is a prime objective of any legitimate government.

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A Memorable Faux Pas: Warren Buffett Gets His Facts Wrong

Billionaire investor guru Warren Buffett has come to the defence of the American Dream – the promise of intergenerational upward social mobility enabled by a society that values hard work and knows few, if any, barriers. Usually quite sensible, spirited,

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