TRADE PARTNERS' EDITION, 15 OCTOBER 2011

HIGHLIGHTS

How's Life? Measuring Well-Being offers a comprehensive picture of what makes up people's lives in 40 countries: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary The print version of the Better Life Index. Our next bestseller.

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, 2011 edition commits 42 countries to tougher new standards for corporate behaviour: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary No multnational can do without multiple copies of this basic text.

Tax reform can create jobs, says Taxation and Employment: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary A timely book on the relationship between taxation and employment.

OECD and IEA recommend reforming fossil-fuel subsidies to improve the economy and the environment based on findings in Inventory of Estimated Budgetary Support and Tax Expenditure for Fossil Fuels: Press release | Web site | Preliminary report (PDF - 5 mb - Final report to be published in December or January) At a time when governments are looking for budget cuts, this book can provide some interesting ideas.

OECD PUBLISHING NEWS

OECD Subscription Prices for 2012: Price list Revised and reformatted.

New OECD Key Titles Catalogue, 2012: Catalogue New catalogue for Frankfurt.

OECD iLibrary: Brochure

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

• Österreichischer Bibliothekartag, 18-21 October, Innsbruck, Austria
• Guadalajara International Book Fair, 26 November 26 to 4 December 2011, Guadalajara, México
• London Online, 29 Nov-1 Dec 2011, London, UK
• Asian-Pacific Conference on Measuring Well-Being and Fostering the Progress of Societies, 5-6 December 2011, Tokyo, Japan
• Allied Social Sciences Association (American Economics Association): 6-8 January 2012, Chicago, IL USA
• American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, 20-24 January 2012, Dallas, TX USA
  

AGRICULTURE/FOOD/FISHERIES

Fisheries and Aquaculture Certification focuses on private eco-labelling schemes: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Europe has unique opportunity to reform farm support, says Evaluation of Agricultural Policy Reforms in the European Union: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Evaluation of Agricultural Policy Reforms in Turkey: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture: Book listing

BUSINESS & MARKETS

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, 2011 edition commits 42 countries to tougher new standards for corporate behaviour: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Bank Competition and Financial Stability: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Corporate Governance in Estonia 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming
-Corporate Governance of Listed Companies in China: Self-Assessment by the China Securities Regulatory Commission: Book listing
-Competitiveness and Private Sector Development: Eastern Europe and South Caucasus 2011: Competitiveness Outlook: Book listing
-The Role of Institutional Investors in Promoting Good Corporate Governance: Book listing
-OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises: Book listing

DEVELOPMENT

Development Co-operation Report 2011: Book Announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Preliminary Version (without statistical annex and peer review reports - PDF- 2 mb - Final version with statistics and peer review reports to come at the end of October.) This 50th Anniversary Edition of the Development Co-operation Report includes contributions from prominent experts in the field, as well as the usual statistical information.

Investing in Security: A Global Assessment of Armed Violence Reduction Initiatives: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming
-Development in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine: Book listing
-Better Policies for Development: Recommendations for Policy Coherence: Book listing
-Aid Effectiveness 2011: A Progress Report on Implementing the Paris Declaration: Book listing
-Better Policies for Development: Recommendations for Policy Coherence: Book listing
-International Engagement in Fragile States: Can't We Do Better? Book listing
-Perspectives on Global Development 2012: Social Cohesion in a Shifting World: Book listing

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

Respond to (and see the results of) the OECD Observer poll question," Is the worst of the global economic crisis behind us?" Poll

OECD Economic Surveys: Ireland 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Economics Department Working Papers
-None during this period.

Forthcoming
-OECD Economic Surveys: Brazil 2011: Book listing

ECONOMIC STATISTICS

How's Life? Measuring Well-Being offers a comprehensive picture of what makes up people's lives in 40 countries: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD composite leading indicators continue pointing to slowdown in economic activity: Press release

OECD annual inflation rate broadly stable at 3.2% in August 2011: Press release

OECD unemployment rate stable at 8.2% in August: Press release

Investment sustains OECD GDP growth in the second quarter of 2011 but slowdown in private consumption continues: Press release

Forthcoming:
-OECD Factbook 2012: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics: Book listing

EDUCATION

Higher Education Management and Policy, Volume 23 Issue 2 includes articles on educational research and innovation in France, the impact of the crisis on American universities, alternatives to industrial work placement at Dublin Institute of Technology, evaluating public higher education in Mexico, higher education and economic recovery in Ireland, and governance of Catalan public universities. Subscribe to journal | Issue on OECD iLibrary

Alignment in Complex Education Systems: Achieving Balance and Coherence: Working paper

educationtoday: OECD’s blog on global perspectives on education: Blog

Forthcoming
-Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for Japan: Book listing
-Building a High-Quality Teaching Profession: Lessons from around the World: Book listing
-School Leadership: The creation of a common school culture: Teaching and Learning: International Survey (TALIS 2008 Data thematic report): Book listing

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

How's Life? Measuring Well-Being: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Tax reform can create jobs says Taxation and Employment: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Earnings Volatility and its Consequences for Households: Working paper

Wage Implications of Trade Liberalisation:  Evidence for Effective Policy Formation: Working paper

Forthcoming
-Job Tasks, Work Skills and the Labour Market: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Labour Market and Social Policies: Russian Federation 2011: Book listing
-The Causes of Growing Inequalities in OECD Countries: Book listing
-Mental Health and Employment: Challenging the Myths: Book listing

ENERGY

OECD and IEA recommend reforming fossil-fuel subsidies to improve the economy and the environment in Inventory of Estimated Budgetary Support and Tax Expenditure for Fossil Fuels: Press release | Web site | Preliminary report (PDF - 5 mb - Final report to be published in December or January)

An achievable goal: Giving modern energy to the billions who lack it. Energy Poverty: How to make modern energy access universal shows that universal access to modern energy by 2030 is an achievable goal and spells out exactly how to pay for it: Press release | Report (PDF - 2.06 mb.Note: This is an exerpt from the forcoming World Energy Outlook, to be released on 9 November.)

Oil Market Report, 12 October 2011 says oil futures tracked latest economic developments amid the worsening European debt crisis, which triggered downward price moves throughout September. Prices partially recovered on renewed optimism that European leaders would address euro-zone financing issues: Webpage

IEA Open Technology Bulletin, October 2011 features survey results: Webpage

Energy Industry leaders to attend IEA Ministerial: Press release

Forthcoming
-IEA Scoreboard 2011: Implementing Energy Efficiency Policy: Progress and challenges in IEA member countries: Book listing
-Medium-Term Oil and Gas Markets 2011
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Energy: Book listing
-World Energy Outlook 2011: Book listing
-Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Greece 2011
-Inventory of Estimated Budgetary Support and Tax Expenditures for Fossil Fuels: Book listing

ENVIRONMENT

Forthcoming
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Energy: Book listing
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture: Book listing
-Water Governance in OECD Countries: A Multilevel Approach: Book listing
-OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Slovak Republic 2011: Book listing
-OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Israel 2011: Book listing
-OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050: Book listing
-Meeting the Challenge of Financing Water and Sanitation: Tools and Approaches: Book listing

HEALTH

OECD Reviews of Health Systems: Switzerland 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming:
-A System of Health Accounts: Book listing
-Health Reform: Meeting the Challenge of Ageing and Multiple Morbidities: Book listing
-Health at a Glance 2011: OECD Indicators: Book listing

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

M-Government: Mobile Technologies for Responsive Governments and Connected Societies: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Top nuclear regulators meet to discuss safety of new reactors: Press release

International Symposium on Decontamination to be held in Fukushima, Japan: Announcement

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

M-Government: Mobile Technologies for Responsive Governments and Connected Societies: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Corporate Governance in Estonia 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming:
-Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust, Volume 2: Promoting Integrity through Self-regulation: Book listing
-Water Governance in OECD Countries: A Multilevel Approach: Book listing
-OECD Territorial Reviews: Slovenia 2011: Book listing
-OECD Territorial Reviews: The Gauteng City-Region, South Africa 2011: Book listing
-OECD Regional Outlook 2011: Book listing
-Regulatory Policy and Governance: Supporting Economic Growth and Serving the Public Interest: Book listing
-Ministerial Advisors: Role, Influence and Management: Book listing

SCIENCE , TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY

Forthcoming:
-Business Innovation Policies: Selected Country Comparisons: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy: Peru 2011: Book listing

SMEs & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Forthcoming:
-OECD Studies on SMEs and Entrepreneurship Thailand: Key Issues and Policies: Book listing

TAXATION

OECD and IEA recommend reforming fossil-fuel subsidies to improve the economy and the environment based on findings in Inventory of Estimated Budgetary Support and Tax Expenditure for Fossil Fuels: Press release | Web site | Preliminary report (PDF - 5 mb - Final report to be published in December or January)

Tax reform can create jobs says Taxation and Employment: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD releases a discussion draft on the definition of “permanent establishment” in the OECD Model Tax Convention: Discussion draft

Forthcoming:
-Inventory of Estimated Budgetary Support and Tax Expenditures for Fossil Fuels: Book listing
Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes: Peer Review Reports
--Brunei Darussalam 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Gibraltar 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Hong Kong, China 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Indonesia 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Jersey 2011: Combined Phase 1 and Phase 2: Book listing
--Macao, China 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Malaysia 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Spain 2011: Combined: Phase 1 + Phase 2: Book listing
--Uruguay 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Vanuatu 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing

TRADE

Comparative Advantage and Trade Performance: Policy Implications: Working paper

To What Extent Do Exchange Rates and their Volatility Affect Trade? Working paper

Wage Implications of Trade Liberalisation:  Evidence for Effective Policy Formation: Working paper

Latest export credits news: Webpage

Forthcoming:
-Globalisation, Comparative Advantage and the Changing Dynamics of Trade: Book listing

TRANSPORTATION

Road Transport Regulating & Enforcement Bodies: Country Updates

Forthcoming
-Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030: Book listing

FROM THE OECD INSIGHTS BLOG

Manu-services: best of both worlds
The financial crisis has left behind many lessons for developed economies. Among the most widely accepted is the need for advanced economies to re-balance towards manufacturing and other export-intensive activities, reversing decades of relative decline in manufacturing. At times, the arguments in favour of manufacturing have taken on a moral character. We are often told that we need to get back to “making things”, replacing the dangerous alchemy of financial services with good, honest graft. This type of hand-wringing is not especially helpful, especially in a modern, diverse economy. Manufacturing is not important because it involves making things, but because it is highly export-intensive, innovative and productive (three things that all advanced economies desperately need at a time like this). But there is another problem with characterising manufacturing as being about just “making things”: in short, it isn’t. Modern manufacturing is an incredibly complex industry, which includes a wide range of different activities, from design and development to marketing and after-sales care. The Work Foundation’s report More than making things argued that much of the future growth in manufacturing will come from “manu-services”, which involves combining advanced manufacturing with a range of different services. Read more

China’s spoilt brats and America’s disappearing middle class
A recent afternoon brought one of those classes that all lecturers dread: Glazed eyes from one side of the room to the other, and mouths opening and closing in syncopated yawning. Time to tear up the lesson plan and throw out a question: “Hey, did you see the story about the rich kid who beat up that nice couple?” Dull eyes sharpen, slack jaws tighten. Yes, the students have heard about it and, what’s more, they have something to say. In case you missed the story, here’s what happened: On a recent evening, a middle-class couple was driving home in Beijing. Quite reasonably, they slowed to take a corner, forcing a couple of cars behind them to stop. Incensed, the drivers of the two following cars got out and beat them up. Road rage, but that was only the half of it: It turned out that one of the drivers was just 15 years old, which meant he was driving his car – a BMW – illegally. Not only that, he warned onlookers against intervening: “Who dares to call the police?” he supposedly shouted. His cockiness can probably be explained by his family connections: The boy is the son of a celebrity army general, Li Shuangjiang, who shows up regularly on TV to sing patriotic ditties. Read more

Steve, Clarence, Thomas and Topsy
We all agree that Steve Jobs was a marketing genius, persuading the gullible to pay extravagant prices for bright, shiny things because they’re bright and shiny. But unlike Thomas Edison, the man Jobs is often compared to, he never electrocuted an elephant. In 1903 Edison fried Topsy from Coney Island’s Luna Park and captured the event on film. Read more

Nobel Peace Price: Fighting for the victims
I saw Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, co-laureate of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize in Liberia’s capital Monrovia earlier in the year at this conference on peace-building and statebuilding. She shares the prize with another Liberian, peace activist Leymah Gbowee, and Yemeni journalist Tawakul Karman. The Nobel committee honoured them in recognition of what they’ve done of course, but also to draw attention to the place of women more generally in conflict and post-conflict situations. The Nobel prize draws attention to the fact that women and girls are often the main victims of war. Read more

Conflict minerals: demonise the criminals, not the miners
Stephen Groff’s article Conflict Minerals: Hands-Off is Not a Solution is remarkably naive and removed from the actual problem, and represents a pervasively uninformed and simplistic view of what is going on in the DR Congo. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act’s demonization of minerals instead of criminals, exportation of the four minerals covered by the Act has nearly evaporated from the Congo. A recent article in The Economist says that 95% of mineral exports have evaporated, while Motorola’s Solution for Hope Project argues that “Tens of thousands of people in the DRC depend on artisanal mining, many operating in regions where conflict is not present. Their livelihoods and the economic stability of the region have been threatened by the de facto ban.” Read more

Comparative advantage: Doing what you do best
The mathematician Stanislaw Ulam did not have a high opinion of the social sciences. He once challenged Paul Samuelson, Nobel laureate in economics, to name one social science proposition that was both true and non-trivial. Samuelson nominated comparative advantage. The absolute advantage Adam Smith talks about is simple and intuitive: it makes obvious sense for France to export wine to Scotland and import Scotch whisky. Comparative advantage is much more complicated. Ricardo introduced the notion in his 1817 book On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, using the example of England and Portugal and the production of cloth and wine. Two centuries after Ricardo, can comparative advantage still provide useful guidance to policy makers? A new working paper from OECD’s Przemyslaw Kowalski argues that it can. Read more