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Economic Survey of Germany 2008

09-Apr-2008

Germany has been enjoying a strong cyclical rebound in economic growth after a long period of stagnation. First positive effects of past reforms are already visible. However, for high economic growth to be more enduring, economic challenges remain, notably in the fields of labour markets, fiscal policy, education policy, healthcare and network industries.

OECD countries stay open to commercial investments by sovereign wealth funds

09-Apr-2008

OECD countries are committed to keeping their investment frontiers open to sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) as long as these funds invest for commercial, not political ends. That is the message in a letter from OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría to G7 Finance Ministers detailing a common OECD position on policies towards sovereign wealth funds.

Factbook 2008 shows wide variations in productivity across OECD countries

08-Apr-2008

Labour productivity has grown strongly in the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Korea in recent years while  growth rates in some other OECD countries such as Italy, Mexico, Portugal and New Zealand have slowed markedly.

Economic Survey of Japan 2008

07-Apr-2008

Despite the longest economic expansion in its post-war history, Japan faces many challenges. Perhaps most urgent is addressing the fiscal situation through comprehensive tax reform. There is also significant scope for policies to accelerate productivity growth in the service sector, which has lagged behind manufacturing. In addition, measures to reverse the rise in labour market dualism would be beneficial for both growth and equity.

Debt Relief is down: Other ODA rises slightly

04-Apr-2008

Development aid in 2007 indicates that the 22 member countries of the OECD Development Assistance Committee, the world’s major donors, provided USD 103.7 billion in aid in 2007.

OECD urges Luxembourg to introduce liability of legal persons for foreign bribery

27-Mar-2008

Luxembourg urgently needs to establish liability against legal persons for foreign bribery and put in place sanctions that are effective, proportionate and dissuasive, according to a report by the OECD's Working Group on Bribery.

New OECD programme to test skills of adults in today's work environment

17-Mar-2008

Following its successful PISA programme for testing the educational attainments of 15-year old high-school students, OECD is launching a challenging new project to assess the knowledge and skills of adults.

Fiscal drag hits some taxpayers harder than others, new OECD study shows

11-Mar-2008

Families with children have paid less in tax as a percentage of their income in recent years in Australia, Hungary, Ireland and New Zealand, thanks to family-friendly tax policies, but wage-earners in some other OECD countries, including Greece, Iceland, Korea and Mexico, have wound up with higher tax bills due to so-called fiscal drag.

OECD promotes the economic and social benefits of gender equity

07-Mar-2008

Family-friendly workplace practices and attention to gender equity in hiring and management help to improve productivity and economic performance, OECD studies show. To mark International Women's Day, OECD is highlighting aspects of its work on gender issues and promoting diversity in its workforce.

2008 OECD Environmental Outlook - How much will it cost to address today's key environmental problems?

05-Mar-2008

"Solutions to the key environmental challenges are available, achievable and affordable, especially when compared to the expected economic growth and the costs and consequences of inaction", OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria said at the worldwide launch of the 2008 OECD Environmental Outlook in Oslo, hosted by Norway's Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg.


Events

Official visit of the Secretary-General to Italy

from 22-Feb-2007 to 24-Feb-2007

During his official visit to Italy, Angel Gurría met with government officials and business leaders, and attended several speaking engagements.

International Forum on Public Policies for the Development of Mexico, Mexico City

from 07-Feb-2007 to 08-Feb-2007

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría will participate in this forum, jointly organised by the OECD and other international organisations, which aims to identify and share knowledge about the main social and economic challenges facing Mexico in the short and medium term. 

ASEAN, OECD countries to discuss “peer review” as mechanism for co-operation

from 23-Jan-2007 to 24-Jan-2007

Policymakers from Southeast Asian and OECD countries will meet in Jakarta on 23-24 January 2007 to discuss the role and utility of the ‘peer review’ mechanism which is at the heart of the OECD’s working methods, with a view to providing direction for policy reform and enhanced international co-operation.

Ask the economists: Made in China. Is the game changing?

on 17-Jan-2007

Will China remain open to foreign investment? What sort of investor will China be abroad? Click here to read the questions and answers from this online debate with OECD economist Ken Davies about investment and China.

Ask the economists: Russia - will the boom bust?

on 11-Dec-2006

Is Russia relying too much on the energy sector and, if so, what is the cure? Click here  to read the questions and answers from this online debate with OECD economists on the Russian economy .

OECD-World Bank Global Forum on Sustainable Development

from 29-Nov-2006 to 30-Nov-2006

The OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development, in cooperation with the World Bank and Agence Française de Développement, will discuss how governments in developing countries can work with local private water companies to provide affordable safe water and basic sanitation, and the role donors, the financial sector and international private water companies should play .

OECD Secretary-General's official visit to Poland

from 22-Nov-2006 to 25-Nov-2006

During his official visit, Angel Gurría met with key government officials, business leaders and economic experts, and attended speaking engagements to mark the 10th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the OECD.

Ask the economists: Grappling with the world's new IT giants

on 20-Nov-2006

Can China and India maintain their impressive IT growth rate? What can developed economies do to meet these challenges? Click to see the questions and answers from the online debate on this issue.

OECD Secretary-General's official visit to Spain

on 27-Nov-2006

During the course of this visit, he will meet His Majesty King Juan Carlos, Pedro Solbes, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Miguel Angel Moratinos, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation; Joan Clos, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Manuel Marín, Speaker of the Spanish Parliament. He will also deliver a speech on "Spain and the World Economy" during a dinner attended by leading Spanish businessmen.



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