TRADE PARTNERS' EDITION, 15 APRIL 2011

HIGHLIGHTS

Structural reforms offer best lever for boosting growth and jobs, says
Economic Policy Reforms 2011: Going for Growth: Press Release | Book Announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary Gets lots of publicity. Always a bestseller!

Mexicans work longer days than anyone else in OECD countries, devoting 10 hours to paid and unpaid work , such as cooking and cleaning at home, says Society at a Glance 2011: OECD Social Indicators: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary Already a bestseller!

OECD PUBLISHING NEWS

See OECD video contest winners! Winners

In an effort to boost usage on the iLibrary, Nanyang Technological University, with the help of our Asian sales agent, iGroup, organised an OECD iLibrary Online Quiz. Participants were asked a series of questions whose answers they were to find on the iLibrary. More than 170 entries were received. Three winners were selected from the entries.

Most-Downloaded books on iLibrary in 2010. (Since 2010 was the start-up year for the iLibrary, they only cover the period from April onwards):

1. OECD Factbook 2010
2. Health at a Glance 2009
3. OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2009
4. OECD Factbook 2009
5. Highlights from Education at a Glance 2010
6. Development Co-operation Report 2010
7. Society at a Glance 2009
8. Education at a Glance 2010
9. National Accounts at a Glance 2009
10. OECD Regions at a Glance 2009
11. Government at a Glance 2009
12. OECD Economic Outlook Vol 2010, Issue 2 (December 2010)
     

OECD Subscription Prices for 2011: Prices

OECD publications will be on exhibit at the following events in the coming months:

• Deutscher Bibliothekartag, 7-10 June 2011, Berlin, Germany
• Special Libraries Association, 12-15 June 2011, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• American Libraries Association, 23-28 June 2011, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
• Österreichischer Bibliothekartag, 18-21 October, Innsbruck, Austria
  

AGRICULTURE/FOOD/FISHERIES

Apply now for Co-operative Research Programme 2012 research fellowships and conference sponsorship: Announcement

Forthcoming
-Agriculture and Food: Feeding Nine Billion People (OECD Insights Series): Book listing
-Evaluation of Agricultural Policy Reforms in the European Union: Book listing

BUSINESS & MARKETS

FATF assessment of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing activities in France: Report ( Available only in French. PDF - 4.6 mb)

Forthcoming
-Risk Awareness, Capital Markets and Catastrophic Risks: Book listing
-Economic Diversification in Africa: A Review of Selected Countries: Book listing
-Financial Market Trends, Volume 2010, Issue 2: Subscribe to the OECD Journal
-Corporate Governance in Asia 2011: Progress and Challenges: Book listing
-Competitiveness and Private Sector Development: Kazakhstan 2010: Sector Competitiveness Strategy: Book listing
-Competitiveness and Private Sector Development: Republic of Moldova 2011: Fostering SME Development: Book listing
-OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Book listing
-OECD Code of Liberalisation of Capital Movements 2011: Book listing

DEVELOPMENT

Development Aid reaches an historic high: Press release

Development aid increases, but with worrying trends: Press release

Trade for Growth and Poverty Reduction: How Aid for Trade Can Help: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Training and Beyond: Seeking Better Practices for Capacity Development : Working paper

The OECD is delighted to host the 2011 Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE), in partnership with the World Bank and the Government of France. It will take place at the OECD Conference Centre on 30 May - 1 June 2011: Website

Aid to health data now includes Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grants: Press release

Documents relating to the Ivoirian electoral crisis: Webpage

Evaluation of the Implementation of the Paris Declaration: Website

Forthcoming:
-Economic Diversification in Africa: A Review of Selected Countries: Book listing

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

Structural reforms offer best lever for boosting growth and jobs, says
Economic Policy Reforms 2011: Going for Growth: Press Release | Book Announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Economic Surveys: France 2011 finds a moderate recovery is underway, though the major recession is going to leave lasting traces on public finances and employment: Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Economics Department Working Papers:
-No. 852: Enhancing Labour Utilisation in a Socially Inclusive Society in Australia

Forthcoming
-OECD Economic Surveys: Estonia 2011: Book listing
-OECD Economic Surveys: Mexico 2011: Book listing
-OECD Economic Surveys: Italy 2011: Book listing
-OECD Economic Surveys: Japan 2011: Book listing

ECONOMIC STATISTICS

National Accounts of OECD Countries, Financial Balance Sheets 2010: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary | Database on OECD iLibrary

Quarterly National Accounts, Volume 2010, Issue 4: Subscribe on Online Bookshop | Issue on OECD iLibrary | Database on OECD iLibrary

OECD Composite Leading Indicators signal continued expansion: Press release

OECD unemployment rate records fourth consecutive fall at 8.2% in February: Press release

Strong improvement in net exports sustains OECD GDP growth in 4th quarter 2010: Press release

OECD Statistics Newsletter, April 2011 includes articles on OECD cyclical indicators during the crisis, different measures of economic activity, OECD exporters, and development aid: Newsletter (PDF - 1.96 mb)

EDUCATION

PISA 2009 at a Glance: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary (Book previously announced - now available in print form as well as online)

Quality, Equity and Equality in the Chilean Education System. Chapter in Maintaining Momentum: OECD Perspectives on Policy Challenges in Chile: Chapter on OECD iLibrary

Educationtoday: OECD's collaborative space to help shape the post-crisis economy and society: Educationtoday

Forthcoming
-Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for the United States: Book listing
-Establishing a Framework for Evaluation and Teacher Incentives: Considerations for Mexico: Book listing

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Mexicans work longer days than anyone else in OECD countries, devoting 10 hours to paid and unpaid work , such as cooking and cleaning at home, says Society at a Glance 2011: OECD Social Indicators: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Naturalisation: A Passport for the Better Integration of Immigrants? Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

The OECD is delighted to host the 2011 Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE), in partnership with the World Bank and the Government of France. It will take place at the OECD Conference Centre on 30 May - 1 June 2011: Website

Forthcoming

-Doing Better for Families: Book listing This will be a bestseller! Order now!
-Job-Rich Growth in Asia: Strategies for Local Employment, Skills Development and Social Protection: Book listing

ENERGY

Oil Market Report, April 2011: Report

IEA Releases first Clean Energy Progess Report: Press release | Report (PDF - 2.73 mb)

IEA trains government and private sector energy professionals: Press release

Widespread deployment of smart grids is critical for a secure, cost-effective and clean energy future, Smart Grids Technology Roadmap says: Press release | Report (PDF - 3.10 mb)

Renewable energy is essential for limiting global temperature increase, experts say: Press release

IEA Executive Director test drives plug-in hybrid vehicle: Press release

ENVIRONMENT

OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Portugal 2011: Press Release | Book Announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Benefits of Investing in Water and Sanitation: An OECD Perspective: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

India joins OECD agreement of Mutual Acceptance of Chemical Safety Data: Press release

Two new data sources participate in eChemPortal, Canadian Categorization Results (CCR) and AGRITOX. eChemPortal provides direct links to collections of information prepared for government chemical review programmes at national, regional, and international levels. eChemPortal

Summary of Estimation Techniques for Releases from Products: Document (PDF - 958 kb)

Financing Climate Change and Boosting Technology Change: Policy Brief (PDF - 505 kb)


Forthcoming
-OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Norway 2011: Book listing

HEALTH

Forthcoming
-Help Wanted? Providing and Paying for Long-Term Care: Book listing

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Forthcoming
-OECD Communications Outlook 2011

NUCLEAR ENERGY

NEA tracks status of nuclear reactors and radioactive releases: Website

NEA Monthly News Bulletin, April 2011: News Bulletin

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

The Call for Innovative and Open Government: An Overview of Country Initiatives: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Restoring Public Finances outlines fiscal consolidation plans of 29 OECD countries: Report (PDF - 1.54 mb)

Forthcoming:
-OECD Urban Policy Reviews, Poland 2011: Book listing
-Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust, Volume 2: Promoting integrity through Self-Regulation: Book listing

SCIENCE , TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY

OECD Reviews of Regional Innovation: Basque Country, Spain 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming:
-Attractiveness for Innovation: Location Factors for International Investment: Book listing

SMEs & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Forthcomimg:
-Entrepreneurship at a Glance 2010: Book listing
-Job-Rich Growth in Asia: Strategies for Local Employment, Skills Development and Social Protection: Book listing

TAXATION

Consumption Tax Trends 2010: VAT/GST and Excise Rates, Trends, and Administration Issues: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary (Previously announced. Printed book now available.

Global Forum on Tax Transparency now groups more than half the world: Press release

Global Forum keeps up the pressure with new peer reviews:
-Aruba 2011: Phase 1: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Bahamas 2011: Phase 1: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Belgium 2011 Phase 1: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Canada 2011 Phases 1 & 2: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Estonia 2011 Phase 1: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Germany 2011 Phases 1 & 2: Book Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Ghana 2011 Phase 1: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD's Current Tax Agenda 2011: Brochure (PDF 2.73 mb)

Forthcoming:
-Taxing Wages 2010: Book listing

TRADE

Trade for Growth and Poverty Reduction: How Aid for Trade Can Help: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

To What Extent Are High-Quality Logistics Services Trade Facilitating? Working paper

TRANSPORTATION

Speakers announced for International Transport Forum 2011: Announcement

Forthcoming
-Improving the Practice of Transport Project Appraisal: Book listing

FROM THE OECD FACTBLOG

Unpaid work
From housework and homemaking to gardening and local activities, both women and men do so-called “unpaid work” on top of their paid jobs. But according to Cooking, Caring and Volunteering: Unpaid Work Around the World (OECD 2011), women do more unpaid work than men in every country. Read more

FROM THE OECD INSIGHTS BLOG

Why China's economy needs some quality time
China’s economy has been zooming along over the past few decades, regularly reaching and exceeding annual growth rates of 8%. Pretty stunning, and even more so when compared to the current performance of most developed economies.China’s economy has been zooming along over the past few decades, regularly reaching and exceeding annual growth rates of 8%. Pretty stunning, and even more so when compared to the current performance of most developed economies. But some fear its nature – in other words, quality vs. quantity – may not be laying the foundations for long-term sustainable growth. Read more

Economic recovery gaining pace
Recovery from the Great Recession is proving to be stronger than expected and is finally becoming self-sustained, meaning it’s less and less reliant on government support, according to the OECD. “The outlook for growth today looks significantly better than a few months back,” says Pier Carlo Padoan, the OECD’s chief economist. He attributes that to a number of factors, including increasing business confidence and a global pick up in trade. Read more

Rats rejoice as India goes MAD
In one of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” cartoon strips, six-year-old Calvin asks his dad how they calculate the maximum weight allowances for bridges. His father explains that they drive heavier and heavier trucks across the span until the bridge collapses; note the weight; then rebuild the whole thing. And yet a similar philosophy was applied to developing a test of chemical toxicity known as lethal dose 50, or LD50. . Read more

Conflict - the enemy of development
The human cost of the conflict in Côte d’Ivoire has been all too clear, with almost daily reports of deaths and casualties. Against that background, it can seem callous to discuss the economic cost. But, unfortunately, it’s likely to be very real and risks hanging over people’s lives for perhaps a generation to come.  How do we know? Simply, because it’s happened so many times before, as the latest edition of the World Bank’s World Development Report demonstrates. Read more

The future is not what it used to be
The OECD has been a major influence in changing how governments approach science, technology and innovation, and how economics as a discipline tries to understand these phenomena. In 1963 already, Science, economic growth and government policy convinced governments of something that seems obvious now: that science policy should be linked to economic policy. In 1971, Science, growth and society anticipated many of today’s concerns by emphasising the need to involve citizens in assessing the consequences of developing and using new technologies. Read More

Mapping paths out of fragility and conflict
Recent events in the Middle East and North Africa – where the legitimacy of the reigning power-holders has been seriously questioned by popular protest – bring home the threats to global stability posed by the world’s 30 to 40 fragile states. While these threats have stirred deep anxiety in the international community for over a decade, the current political upheavals remind us of the need to head off instability by helping to build legitimate and responsive states. Read more

Contracting out in fragile states
In its World Development Report released earlier this week, the World Bank says that international aid and development co-operation need to focus more on breaking the cycle between conflict and poverty. The report argues that an emphasis on supporting service delivery and strengthening national institutions in post-conflict states can improve people’s security and help maintain the government’s legitimacy in difficult circumstances. However, in these post-conflict situations, populations may be displaced, infrastructure absent or impaired, the rule of law minimal, and government’s own capacity weak. Donors, international NGOs and local informal service providers are often the first to intervene to satisfy basic demands, frequently bypassing government. Read more