Japan to raise foreign direct investment target to $1trln by mid-2030s, sources say
The new targets, to be formally included in the government’s upcoming fiscal and economic policy guidelines in June, represent a sharp escalation from the previous
Fiscal stagnation
Public debt-to-GDP ratios have climbed to historic highs in most advanced economies. This column studies the connection between productivity growth, fiscal policy, and public debt.
Bridging the gap: revenue mobilization in South Asia
South Asia is grappling with significant fiscal challenges that affect its governments’ ability to provide essential public services. Although its tax rates are often higher
Disentangling trade policy uncertainty and equity market performance
Despite headlines dominated by threats and implementations of US and retaliatory tariffs since President Trump’s inauguration, it was not until his “Liberation Day” announcement on
Expanding private insurance for long-term care to reduce public spending
As populations age, the demand for long-term care will increase dramatically. This column argues that markets for long-term care insurance in the US have failed
The Nordic model of wage coordination at a crossroads
Strong coordination of wage setting has been maintained in Nordic countries through pattern bargaining. The tradables sector sets the first agreement, which then serves as
Leveraging strategic grain reserves to enhance food security
Global hunger and malnutrition are rising again after decades of progress. In 2024, 343 million people across 74 countries faced acute food insecurity—driven by the
Nvidia supplier Foxconn cuts outlook due to currency appreciation
Taiwan’s Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, downgraded its full-year outlook on Wednesday citing recent appreciation of the Taiwan dollar, even as it struck
Do governments adhere to their approved budgets? Insights from PEFA assessments
Why budget reliability matters Accurate revenue and expenditure forecasting is crucial for effective budgeting to ensure that governments can adequately plan for public services, infrastructure
Extreme weather and nature loss: can the private sector be part of the infrastructure solution?
In 2018, after 3 years of droughts, the city of Cape Town in South Africa faced severe water shortages. Dam reservoir capacity had dropped to
