• Loading stock data...
Global Business and Finance Magazine > Blog > innovation
Finance Banking Featured World

The macroeconomic effects of introducing a central bank digital currency

Central bank digital currencies are gaining traction as a potential innovation in central banking, with numerous countries considering their implementation. However, given the limited real-world experience with such currencies, researchers and policymakers depend on theoretical analysis to assess their potential. This column presents a new macroeconomic model that reveals significant welfare gains from introducing central […]

Read More
Environment Featured News World

Powering the energy future of Europe and Central Asia

The prosperity and economic transformation of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) hinge on making energy reliable and affordable for all.  Across the region, many countries  are prioritizing  energy efficiency and renewable energy as part of their development strategies —not only to strengthen energy security, but also to create jobs, foster innovation, and lower costs. Renewables […]

Read More
Business Energy Featured News World

Unlocking energy, jobs and opportunity for Africa’s growing young population

At a workshop in Marimauta Village, Zimbabwe, business is booming. Local entrepreneurs drop by to commission bespoke machinery. A solar-powered maize processing machine serves farmers across the region. Young apprentices learn new technical and digital skills. The scene contrasts sharply with 2019 when Cyclone Idai ripped through the area, tearing down power lines and shuttering […]

Read More
Economy Business Featured Finance World

When supply shocks to essential inputs spur innovation: Lessons from the global rare earths disruption

Trade and industrial policies designed to support domestic industries can unintentionally kindle technological progress abroad. This column examines the case of rare earth elements – a group of metals essential to producing batteries, lasers, and other high-tech components. These elements are not only critical to manufacturing at the knowledge frontier; they also have a low […]

Read More
Innovation Development Economy Featured

Tax incentives for R&D can spur innovation and growth—when done right

As the debate around industrial policy intensifies, there is broad consensus on the rationale for government support to encourage private sector innovation. Economy-wide returns from research and development (R&D) in the private sector can be much greater the returns reaped by private firms alone. That’s because the knowledge generated by R&D often spills over to […]

Read More
Economy Development Environment Featured

Charting a smarter ocean future for Thailand

Thailand’s coastal and marine resources are vital engines of growth. From pristine beaches that attract millions of tourists each year to the Eastern Economic Corridor that supports production and trade, the country’s “blue economy” involving 23 coastal provinces is estimated to contribute around 30 percent of  Thailand’s GDP and one-fourth of the nation’s employment. As Thailand […]

Read More
Development Featured Innovation News Productivity

The global impact of AI: Mind the gap

Artificial intelligence is widely seen as a transformative force for productivity and innovation. Yet, its macroeconomic implications remain uncertain, especially from a global perspective. This column shows how structural differences in AI exposure, preparedness, and access in advanced economies, emerging markets, and low-income countries shape the distribution of AI-induced productivity gains. While improvements in AI […]

Read More
Economy Business Featured trade

Human capital formation as a key component in Europe’s defence build-up

Government spending on defence, particularly defence R&D, can have significant economic spillovers. This column argues that the forthcoming European defence build-up must include a long-term strategy to develop high-quality human capital. Military human capital development serves a dual-purpose role: it is crucial for the modern (largely non-combat) battlefield, and also valuable for long-run productivity growth. […]

Read More
World Environment Featured News

Agrifood powers economies and jobs across Europe and Central Asia

As economies develop, it is often assumed that agriculture becomes less relevant—a small slice of GDP and a shrinking share of employment. But evidence from Europe and Central Asia tells a different story. Across countries stretching from Portugal to Uzbekistan, agriculture and the broader agrifood sector remain essential pillars of economic development, employment, trade, and […]

Read More