China’s real estate reckoning: Lessons from Japan’s lost decade
A growing debate has emerged over whether China risks repeating elements of Japan’s post-real estate bubble stagnation of the 1990s. This column compares China’s current
Connecting job seekers with buddies online
Supporting job seekers looking to change career has become particularly important as economies try to adjust to the digital and green transitions. This column reports
Reforming European defence procurement to boost military innovation and startups
European defence procurement practices must evolve to embrace innovative startups and small firms, in order to meet modern battlefield needs. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how
Defragmenting European Union climate policy
Simplification without carbon price convergence risks deeper fragmentation, higher costs and weaker credibility for the EU’s climate target. Executive summary There is broad agreement that the European
How the global minimum tax amendments could reshape Europe’s tax incentives
This analysis offers estimates for EU countries of the possible impact of the ‘safe harbour’ update to the global minimum tax on corporate profits. An
Bahrain unveils special reform package to bolster public finances
These measures include increases in fuel prices, higher electricity and water tariffs for certain categories, and greater dividend contributions from state-owned enterprises Bahrain’s government has
Advantages and pitfalls of green public procurement as a European strategic tool
Green public procurement supports EU climate goals but may conflict with other objectives, creating trade-offs that challenge its effectiveness. Public procurement, or the purchasing of
When the heat rises, progress on women’s economic empowerment cools
Hotter-than-usual years can slow or derail advances in women’s legal rights. A new analysis spanning five decades finds that temperature anomalies—years significantly hotter than a country’s historical
Belt, Road Summit concludes with nine deals, $1bln deals
Organizers highlighted that Hong Kongآ’s external trade with Belt and Road countries reached $276bln in 2024. The 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong
Artificial intelligence in the office and the factory: Evidence from administrative software registry data
The rapid adoption of AI in the workplace has raised concerns about job loss. This column uses data covering all AI-related commercial software registered with
