News & Events

News

OECD releases Guide to Measuring the Information Society 2009

08-Jul-2009

The newly released Guide to the Information Society 2009 covers the definition of industries producing ICT goods and services (the "ICT sector"), a classification for ICT goods, the definitions of e-commerce and Internet transactions, and model questionnaires and methodologies for measuring ICT use and e-commerce by businesses and households/individuals.

Nanotechnology: An Overview Based on Indicators and Statistics

26-Jun-2009

Governments around the world have invested heavily in nanotechnology R&D, and companies are also becoming increasingly engaged. Despite this promise, investments and company involvement in nanotechnology developments are still poorly monitored. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of developments through a systematic and critical analysis of available indicators and statistics.

The Impact of the Global Crisis on SME and Entrepreneurship Financing and Policy Responses

26-Jun-2009

The present report analyses the impact of the global crisis on SMEs and entrepreneurs’ access to finance and present strategies so far adopted by governments to deal with the problem. The report also brings to the attention of governments recommendations to tackle the long-standing deficiencies in the SME financial environment, as well as to prepare SMEs and entrepreneurs for a phase of innovation-led growth.

Global downturn causes slump in cross-border investment, says OECD

24-Jun-2009

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into 17 OECD countries, including France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US, fell by 50% in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the last quarter of 2008, according to estimates by the OECD released at the OECD Forum in Paris.

Finance, Competition and Governance: Priorities for Reform and Strategies to Phase-Out Emergency Measures

18-Jun-2009

This report describes issues that must be addressed to restore public confidence in financial markets and to put incentives in place to encourage a prudent balance between risk and the search for return in (broadly-defined) banking.

OECD releases new ICT product definitions

10-Jun-2009

This document presents the OECD definition of Information Economy Products based on the Central Product Classification Version 2.

OECD Steel Committee sees market recovery beginning end 2009 at earliest

09-Jun-2009

The gobal economic crisis has led to a sharp contraction in steel production, consumption, prices and jobs. According to industry and government officials at the OECD’s Steel Committee meeting in Paris on 8-9 June 2009, conditions for a recovery in demand could begin to be seen towards the end of the year.

The crisis and its impact on cross border investment

03-Jun-2009

With the the global economic crisis, governments are now focused on restoring national economic and employment growth and financial stability which also poses risks for freedom of investment. If they all recognise that open markets will ultimately contribute to a sustainable recovery, they might be tempted to adopt “beggar thy neighbour” policies, including investment protectionism and unfair incentives to attract or retain investments, according to the OECD Secretary-General.

The OECD’s effort to help build a stronger, cleaner and fairer global economy

03-Jun-2009

The current economic crisis has exposed the deficiencies of economic global governance and the risk of having a highly integrated global economy with fragmented global economic decision-making and regulation. To improve our impact, we do need stronger, more inclusive and better coordinated international organisations, warned the OECD Secretary-General.


Events

Corporate responsibility roundtable on consumer empowerment and responsible business conduct

on 15-Jun-2009

The 2009 roundtable focused on the responsibilities of multinational companies towards consumers and how consumers encourage responsible business conduct in accordance with the framework of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

2nd OECD-Southeast Asia Regional Forum: Enhancing Competitiveness through Regional Integration

from 27-Apr-2009 to 28-Apr-2009

The 2nd OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum considered a range of policy areas, one of which was investment policies. Government officials from ASEAN countries and investment experts gathered to discuss various efforts to create a more attractive investment climate in Southeast Asia. The OECD’s investment instruments and peer review methods were presented and well received by participants as they can help advance their own agenda of investment policy reforms.

The OECD Kansas City Workshop on High Growth SMEs, Innovation and Intellectual Assets: Strategic Issues and Policies

on 08-May-2008

The Working Party on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurship (WPSMEE) of the OECD, in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the U.S. Department of Commerce organised an international workshop in Kansas City on innovation and the global impact of high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).  It took place on May 8, at the Kauffman Foundation headquarters in Kansas City. The workshop was an important milestone in an  OECD study on "High Growth SMEs, Innovation, Intellectual Assets and Value Creation"

OECD Global Conference on Enhancing the Role of SMEs in Global Value Chains

from 31-May-2007 to 01-Jun-2007

The OECD Global Conference on Enhancing the Role of SMEs in Global Value Chains, held in Tokyo on 31 May-1 June 2007 brought together experts from governments, international organisations, academia, business and civil society to examine the conclusions of the study, review best practice policies and programmes and draft the Tokyo Action Statement – including policy recommendations -- for further work in this area.

 

4th meeting of the Network on Corporate Governance of SOEs in Asia

from 20-May-2009 to 21-May-2009

Taking place in Bangkok, this year's meeting focussed on implementation of the Policy Brief on priorities and recommendations for improving the corporate governance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Asia using case studies on good practice from around the Asia region.

Turin Round Table to help SMEs deal with the global financial crisis

from 26-Mar-2009 to 27-Mar-2009

SMEs are suffering under the credit crunch, with banks demanding tougher loan terms while sales weaken and debtors delay payments. How can governments help? A Round Table organised under the auspices of the OECD to discuss possible policy options will take place on 26-27 March in Turin. Journalists are welcome to attend.

Global consultation on corporate governance and the financial crisis

on 18-Mar-2009

This consultation addressed the role of corporate governance in the financial crisis, focusing on monitoring, implementation and enforcement of standards and codes, as well as specific areas for improvement.

Second meeting of the Southern African State Owned Enterprise Network

from 27-May-2009 to 28-May-2009

After a successful launch in 2008, the Southern African State Owned Enterprise Network met again on 27-28 May 2009 in Maputo, Mozambique. The substantive issues on the agenda included appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks for SOEs, relations with stakeholders and the equitable treatment of minority shareholders.

Corporate governance and the financial crisis

The current crisis has highlighted many corporate governance failures. As part of its strategic response, the OECD is working with governments and industry to develop and put in place more effective corporate governance standards.

Asian Roundtable Task Force on Related Party Transactions

from 05-Feb-2009 to 06-Feb-2009

For the first time, Asian and OECD policy makers met to discuss concrete solutions to detecting and curbing abusive related party transactions – one of the most serious corporate governances failures. Participants focused on policy options, including assessing strengths and weaknesses of various regulatory approaches, tightening enforcement and facilitating a change in culture and practice, particularly in the boardroom.



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