News & Events

Imports bring wages of skilled workers up, new OECD study finds

19-Oct-2011

Imports tend to bring wages up for skilled workers rather than push wages down, according to this study of the relationship between wages and trade in 55 countries and 40 industries. This positive effect is evidence of the increased productivity of firms who import inputs.

List of Low-Income Countries Subject to IMF/World Bank Concessionality Requirements

18-Jan-2012

This is the current list of countries that are currently subject to concessionality requirements from the IMF and/or IDA.

For those IDA-only countries without concessionality requirements to the IMF and to IDA,the provision of official export credits should take into account the results of the most recent IMF/World Bank country-specific debt sustainability analyses (DSAs) conducted within the joint Debt Sustainability Framework.

Exchange rate levels can affect trade flows, says new OECD study

12-Oct-2011

Exchange rate levels affect trade flows, according to a new OECD study of trade in agriculture and the manufacturing and mining sector in China, the Euro area and the United States. However, they do not explain in their entirety the trade imbalances in these three economies. Meanwhile, exchange rate volatility has only a slight impact on trade flows, the paper finds.

Margin Benchmark for civil aircraft

06-Feb-2012

The Margin benchmark applicable as of 15 February 2012 has been published. It shall be applied to all official financing support for export credits for civil aircraft pursuant to Article 8 of Appendix III of the 2011 Sector Understanding on Export Credits for Civil Aircraft (the 2011 ASU), annexed to the 2011 Arrangement for Officially Supported Export Credits (the Arrangement).

Monthly Update of Interest Rates

09-Feb-2012

The Export Credits interest rates (CIRR, ASU, Renewable Energy, Nuclear) valid from 15 February 2012 to 14 March 2012 have been published (Ctrl+F5 to obtain the latest rates).

2011 ASU: Quarterly Update of MRS and Resulting MPRs

09-Jan-2012

Market Reflective Surcharge (MRS) and resulting Minimum Premium Rates (MPRs) have been updated. These updated MPRs replace Table 5 of Appendix II of the Aircraft Sector Understanding (2011 ASU) and are applicable as of 15 January 2012.

Comparative Advantage and Trade Performance: Policy Implications

06-Oct-2011

Comparative advantage remains an important determinant of trade and has evolved over time, including as a result of changing policies and institutions. This paper finds that physical and human capital (especially second- and third-level education), financial development and some aspects of labour market institutions are important policy and institutional areas that determine comparative advantage today.

Fisheries certification - agreed standard of 'sustainable production' needed

05-Oct-2011

Public authorities and private operators in the fisheries and aquaculture sector should agree on a definition of sustainable production, which can enhance the credibility of labels and certification, provide transparency, and enable consumers to make informed choices when they buy seafood.

OECD and IEA recommend reforming fossil-fuel subsidies to improve the economy and the environment

04-Oct-2011

Governments and taxpayers spent about half a trillion dollars last year supporting the production and consumption of fossil fuels. Removing inefficient subsidies would raise national revenues and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, according to OECD and IEA analyses.

OECD Workshop on Evaluating Agri-Environmental Policies, Braunschweig, Germany

from 20-Jun-2011 to 22-Jun-2011

Governments are devoting more awareness and effort to monitoring and evaluating their agri-environmental policies. This workshop will evaluate measures that improve agriculture’s environmental performance, including incentives for farmers to deliver public goods such as farmland biodiversity.

Experts Meeting on Trade in Audiovisual Services, 19-20 April 2011

from 19-Apr-2011 to 20-Apr-2011

The next meeting on trade in services will cover the audiovisual sector, including: production, distribution and projection of motion pictures; broadcasting services; and sound recordings.

Workshop on The Economics of Adapting Fisheries to Climate Change, Busan, Korea, 10-11 June 2010

from 10-Jun-2010 to 11-Jun-2010

Read presentations and other information from a workshop that provided fisheries policy makers with insights on strategies for adapting to climate change that take social and economic consequences into account.

Workshop on Advancing the Aquaculture Agenda -- Policies to Ensure a Sustainable Aquaculture Sector

from 15-Apr-2010 to 16-Apr-2010

The OECD hosted a Workshop on Advancing the Aquaculture Agenda-- Policies to Ensure a Sustainable Aquaculture Sector at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris on 15-16 April 2010.

Round Table on Eco-Labelling and Certification in the Fisheries Sector

from 22-Apr-2009 to 23-Apr-2009

The OECD Fisheries Policies Division has hosted jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of The Netherlands and the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department a Round Table on Eco-Labelling and Certification in the Fisheries that took place from 22-23 April 2009 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

The Doha Development Round of trade negotiations: understanding the issues

Multilateral trade negotiations have momentarily stalled, but it is important to keep sight of the benefits of further opening up markets in agriculture, industrial and consumer goods, and services. OECD data and analysis shed light on the issues.