This report focuses on the development impacts of improved access to information and communication technologies. Drawing on examples from countries such as The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda, it identifies new opportunities especially for SMEs to develop their businesses and livelihoods, reduce information search and transactions costs, and benefit from improved market efficiency.

Quantitative indicators of the quality of governance in developing countries and emerging economies have greatly proliferated since the mid-1990s. The main users of these indicators are international investors, official development agencies, journalists and academics. The most widely used, and misused, governance indicators are composite perceptions-based indicators. This paper argues that even the most carefully constructed composite indicators have limitations their users seem widely to ignore. Greater transparency is required both in the production and in the use of governance indicators.

La publicación Global Investment Trends Monitor #4 de la UNCTAD señala que la IED se ha estancado en 2010 y que aparentemente no alcanza a financiar el déficit creado por el abandono de los paquetes de incentivos por parte del sector público. Las perspectivas de alcanzar una recuperación sostenida de la IED continúan siendo inciertas.

A joint World Bank, IMF, UNCTAD and DFI medium term debt strategy mission to Bangladesh was conducted from September 20th to the 30th. The mission focused on helping to build Bangladesh capacity to conduct a MTDS. The mission inter alia conducted a three day training program and concluded with a thoughtful presentation by the Treasury and Debt Management Wing (TDMW) on debt strategy and a presentation by the mission on policy issues.

DFID has committed to intensify its work to stimulate the private sector to become a much bigger engine of growth in poorer countries. Measures include: a new Private Sector Department; boosting private investment (with business experts seconded in as advisers); encouraging reduced barriers to growth (a level playing field for all investors, fairer and more open trade, easier market entry, and streamlined regulation); CDC reform (regaining its power to invest directly, lend and provide guarantees where development need is greatest with less reliance on fund managers; and push for a successful conclusion to the Doha trade negotiations. CDC is set to play a key role: DFID will set up an external consultation about how its capital should be targeted, and publish the results early next year.

Los Ministros hicieron un llamado para acelerar el alivio aún pendiente a los países HIPC, la cancelación automática de las deudas de cualquier país que se haya visto afectado por catástrofes naturales de grandes proporciones, así como la presentación en las próximas reuniones del G20 de propuestas que contemplen un proceso más integral, transparente e imparcial de alivio de la deuda. También destacaron la necesidad de adoptar acciones urgentes para movilizar un financiamiento más innovador, especialmente en lo relativo a los impuestos al sector financiero, así como de mejorar el nivel de representatividad de los países de bajos ingresos en el G20. Véase el texto completo del comunicado aquí.

GFSR October 2010 is now available. Chapter 1 analyses challenges to advanced countries as they deal with slower recovery, higher debt levels and rollovers, and a still-impaired financial sector. Chapter 2 examines the increased vulnerability of banks to funding in the wake of the simultaneous and protracted inability to roll over or obtain new short-term funding across markets and borders. Chapter 3 examines the financial stability implications of credit rating agencies in light of the recent escalation of sovereign credit risk, and ratings downgrades of structured credit instruments.

The October 2010 edition argues that a resurgence in FDI, portfolio, and other flows to the LA-5 (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru) is providing cheap and ready finance to boost domestic demand, but simultaneously risks overheating, lost competitiveness, higher sterilisation costs, and boom-bust. SSA growth is accelerating, and although FDI and remittances were less affected by the crisis than feared, remittances remain vulnerable to global conditions. Prospects across both regions vary by country.

The first set of Country Profiles has been uploaded for countries participating in the FPC CBP. These are presently available for Bolivia, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Ghana, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, with more countries to follow. Each Profile summarises institutional arrangements and cooperating partners; latest FPC, investor perception and CSR data and analysis; FPC CBP support and country achievements; progress made and future priorities in building capacity; and a list of further reading. They may be downloaded via the Where We Work page, and the FPC Assessing Country Capacity pages. Profiles will be updated on an ad hoc basis, subject to developments in each country, and announced on this page.

The Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes has published phase 1 reviews on legal and regulatory frameworks in 8 countries including Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Panama. Common deficiencies relate to access to information on nominees, trusts and the need to maintain good accounting records. Phase 2 reviews examining exchange of information practices will take place by 2012. Botswana and Panama will have to address phase 1 recommendations before proceeding to a phase 2 review. More than 100 jurisdictions and observers are now part of the Global Forum.