World Bank MENA Chief Economist: Towards a New Social Contract in the Middle East and North Africa

By Shanta Devarajan A snapshot of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region today reveals a diverse and discouraging picture (Figure 1). Syria, Iraq, and Libya are suffering from violent conflict that has devastated people’s lives, infrastructure, and national

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US Welcomed at Davos as the New Emerging Market

The annual meeting of top businessmen, leading public officials, and a host of other VIPs in Davos usually sees emerging markets claim centre stage and draw attention to the marvels of their booming economies. Save for China, at this year’s

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UK Economic Growth: Beyond the Glitter

The UK economy may be growing at an impressive clip; the spurt is powered by borrowed money and, as such, akin to a bubble. The same holds true for the seemingly impressive economic performance of the United States. With a

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World Economic Forum: Who’s Packing for Davos

The ultimate networking event is set to kick off in a week with a record-setting 2,633 participants. The World Economic Forum (WEF) today released its list of invitees the organisation hopes to welcome in Davos, the posh Swiss ski resort

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Henri de Castries: Pragmatism with a Human Touch

Business managers often point out that people are the greatest asset of any company. In interviews, CEOs unfailingly express a debt of gratitude to their dedicated workforce. However, this debt does not prevent them from sending a few workers home

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France – New Elan Takes Hold of Economy

The triple terrorist attacks that rocked France last week will have a negligible impact on the country’s economy. According to Economics Professor Todd Sandler of the University of Texas Dallas business confidence is seldom affected when terrorists strike in advanced

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World Economic Forum: Chile and Colombia Best in Entrepreneurial Vitality

Most advanced economies are lagging in entrepreneurial vitality. According to a report published last week by the World Economic Forum, the most ambitious and innovative businesspeople are to be found in emerging countries. The Leveraging Entrepreneurial Ambition and Innovation Report

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Masoud Barzani: Walking a Tightrope

The world’s largest nation without a country, the Kurds are slowly carving out a few slices of real estate to call their own. Decades of war and civil strife have weakened and toppled governments that stood between the Kurds and

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UNCDF: A Roadmap for Financial Inclusion

Nephathli is a man from Lesotho, formerly a mineworker in South Africa. His family’s main source of income is the profit made on the sale of chickens and eggs. Nephathli’s income varies from month to month depending on how many

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Catherine Samba-Panza: Determined to Bring Peace and Democracy

She promises elections and works vigorously towards that ultimate goal, but will not stand as a candidate. President Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic is trying to rally all stakeholders behind a concerted effort to pacify the warn-torn country

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