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Asian corporations and their ability to access financing deserve special attention due to their importance in global markets, their integration into regional and global supply chains, and their ownership structures. This report covers some of the long-term trends observed in the listed corporate sector and capital markets in Asia. It also looks at how Asian companies used market-based financing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the main fiscal and regulatory measures Asian authorities took to support the corporate sector’s access to finance during this period.

Young people have demonstrated resilience to shocks and led positive change in their communities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Young people (aged under 30) constitute more than half (55%) of the population across MENA, compared with 36% of the population across OECD countries. While challenges vary significantly across the region, youth unemployment rates are among the highest in the world, young people tend to express low trust in public institutions, and nearly four in ten live in fragile and conflicted-affected areas. The COVID-19 crisis has underscored the need to place the needs of young people at the centre of an inclusive and resilient recovery. To support this process, this report analyses current governance arrangements and practices across 10  MENA governments in three areas: 1) uniting all government stakeholders to implement a shared, integrated youth policy and deliver services to young people; 2) building administrative and institutional capacities to mainstream the perspectives of young people in policy making; and 3) encouraging the participation and representation of young people and youth stakeholders in public and political life.

Removing unnecessary barriers to competition through targeted reforms can foster productivity and economic growth. This Regulatory Reform Review of Brazil analyses sectors that create barriers to competition, such as regulations that create obstacles to the entry of firms, inhibit the entry of firms, or restrict activities in professional and network sectors. In a complementary way, the review also identifies government efforts to develop policies and tools to improve the quality of regulations, such as ex ante assessment of draft regulations, stakeholder engagement in rule making, and administrative simplification. High-quality regulations can stimulate productivity by encouraging the efficient allocation of resources and promoting innovation. In turn, these measures can reduce prices for consumers, stimulate the creation of jobs, and help improve living standards. The review identifies areas for reform to bring the country’s regulations and institutional arrangements more in line with international best practices. It demonstrates how a proportional, clear, and efficient regulatory framework can drive improvements in Brazil’s economic performance and the welfare of its citizens.

This paper aims to support better-targeted and more homogeneous data collection and comparative analysis of regulatory oversight bodies (ROBs). To do so, it builds on relevant academic literature and available data to sharpen the definition of ROB used in OECD analytical work and policy discussions. It also discusses ROBs’ role within the regulatory governance cycle as well as various aspects related to regulatory oversight and co-ordination, with special attention to the overall institutional setting (including the relationships between various ROBs), context and objectives of regulatory reform, tasks and responsibilities, and associated accountability arrangements.

The COVID-19 crisis has given renewed urgency to efforts to support the digitalisation of SMEs. However, many SMEs lag behind larger firms in the digital transition as a result of important barriers with respect to skills, innovation, infrastructure, regulation and finance. The SME digital gap slows productivity growth and increases inequalities among people, firms and places. In this context, the Government of Azerbaijan requested the OECD’s assistance in supporting the design and implementation of strategies and policies to foster the digital transformation of Azerbaijan’s SME sector.

As a small, open economy, Mauritius needs a well-performing regulatory system that provides necessary protections while enabling the development of trade and investment and limiting administrative burdens. A robust regulatory impact assessment (RIA) framework can enhance Mauritius’ business environment and attractiveness as a trade and investment partner. In particular, RIA can help Mauritius strengthen its rule-making framework, for example by increasing scrutiny and taking a more evidence-based approach to rulemaking. This report presents OECD recommendations on to how establish a RIA framework in Mauritius. These recommendations are based upon an analysis of the country’s strengths and challenges, as well as extensive engagement with stakeholders. The recommendations also draw on lessons learnt from RIA implementation in a range of countries and an initial benchmarking of RIA-related best practices and guidance material from various relevant jurisdictions.

Les cadres réglementaires nationaux atteignent leurs limites pour faire face aux défis politiques transfrontaliers croissants d'aujourd'hui. Seule une action commune peut permettre de faire face efficacement à la croissance rapide de l'intégration et des interdépendances économiques, notamment grâce aux technologies innovantes. Pourtant, les cadres réglementaires contemporains ont tendance à s'appuyer sur les frontières juridictionnelles nationales, ce qui limite les solutions communes pour répondre à la nature transfrontalière croissante des défis politiques. Au lendemain de crises mondiales, telles que la crise financière de 2008 ou la pandémie de COVID-19, qui ont mis en évidence les vulnérabilités des systèmes mondiaux de santé, d'économie et de gouvernance, il est temps d'opérer un véritable changement de paradigme vers une prise en compte plus systématique de l'environnement international dans les cadres réglementaires nationaux. Les Principes de l'OCDE relatifs aux meilleures pratiques en matière de coopération règlementaire internationale fournissent des orientations pratiques pour aider les décideurs et les fonctionnaires à adapter les cadres réglementaires à une réalité interconnectée. Ils décrivent les éléments clés de la définition d'une stratégie et d'une structure de gouvernance dédiées à l'ensemble de l'administration, de l'intégration des considérations internationales dans la conception, l'élaboration et la mise en œuvre de la réglementation nationale, et de l'exploitation de la coopération réglementaire internationale bilatérale, régionale et multilatérale pour soutenir les objectifs politiques nationaux. En compilant les différents modes de coopération réglementaire internationale et les expériences des pays, ces Principes de bonnes pratiques de l'OCDE donnent une impulsion aux décideurs et aux fonctionnaires dans une variété d'environnements juridiques et administratifs sur la façon de promouvoir la qualité et la résilience des cadres réglementaires dans un monde de plus en plus interconnecté.