Economic Situation, Analysis and Projections

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News

Switzerland: Financial markets

24-Jan-2012

Despite some deleveraging, the Big-2 Swiss banks remain too-big-to-fail, representing a major potential risk for the economy. This survey discusses to which extent the recently approved legislation to address the “too-big-to-fail” problem will be able to reduce these risks.

Switzerland: Taxation and tax policy

24-Jan-2012

There is scope for Switzerland to increase growth and equity through reforms of the tax system on all levels of government. See this survey of how this could be achieved in detail.

Switzerland: Environment and sustainable development

24-Jan-2012

While the level of greenhouse gas emissions is low in Switzerland, meeting emission reduction targets with the existing policies will be difficult. This survey discusses how Switzerland could reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a more cost effective way.

Israel 2011

12-Dec-2011

Israel’s economy passed through the 2008 09 global downturn in relatively good shape but is now suffering alongside others. Persistent weaknesses in per capita income growth and a high rate of poverty, especially among certain communities, remain key long term challenges.

Israel: Financial Markets and Monetary and Financial Conditions

12-Dec-2011

Israel’s financial sector, which, though it has avoided critical breakdown, has nevertheless displayed weaknesses. Corporate bond markets remain the major concern.

Israel: Fiscal Policy

12-Dec-2011

Israel has avoided the challenging fiscal situation facing a number of other OECD economies. Nevertheless, there remain sharp trade offs in fiscal policy objectives between debt reduction, spending control and tax reform, which have been heightened by pressures from the recent wave of popular protests.

Israel: Taxation and Tax Policy

12-Dec-2011

Ensuring revenues remain on track in the longer term remains a core challenge; medium term simulations indicate it is likely that the authorities will have to take active measures to increase total revenues as a share of GDP to square their deficit and spending goals.

Israel: Environment and Sustainable Development

12-Dec-2011

Israel’s greenhouse gas emissions and related air pollutants are largely the result of electricity production and energy use in transportation. Electricity supply is entirely domestic and generated almost entirely by hydrocarbon fuels. As a result, although energy intensity is relatively low, emissions per capita or per unit of GDP are relatively high.

Israel: Housing

12-Dec-2011

Early signs of weakness in the Israeli housing market may presage an imminent sharper than desired decline in prices, tax settings excessively favour home ownership, and housing support schemes extend well beyond assistance to low income households.

Israel: Competiton - Economic issues

12-Dec-2011

In the energy sector, there is sluggish reform in electricity and concerns about competition in natural gas. Competition issues in the financial sector remain a subject of debate.




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