Two decades of Chinese industrial subsidies
China’s industrial policy has become a central flashpoint in global trade debates, yet systematic evidence on what China actually does remains scarce. This column reveals
Tariffs, global imbalances, and the dollar
While the Trump administration has offered multiple justifications for imposing tariffs, none has been as prominently cited as the goal of reducing trade deficits. This
Cities that work: How urban tourism drives jobs
When cities invest in tourism, they invest in jobs, entrepreneurship, and growth. Marrakech is a compelling example. In 2024, the city welcomed nearly 4 million tourists, each
Egypt to invest $5.7bln in 480 oil wells
101 wells will be drilled in 2026. Egypt is planning to drill 480 new oil and gas exploration wells over the next five years, with
Timelines for Change: Timing Issues in Port Reforms
In port reform, timing isn’t just another detail — it represents the difference between a smooth transition and a stalled project. Master plans run for
Cancelled and postponed green hydrogen projects
Developers of green hydrogen have scaled back investments and scrapped projects globally as elevated production costs and weak demand for the low-carbon fuel have made many
Green hydrogen retreat poses threat to emissions targets
Green hydrogen developers are cancelling projects and trimming investments around the world, raising the prospect of longer than targeted reliance on fossil fuels. The challenges facing the
Hacking the heat: How data innovations can help cities face a rising threat
In Paris, authorities closed more than 1,000 schools — and the summit of the Eiffel Tower — during last month’s heatwave. In Eastern China, the power grid
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
The looming global debt disaster
Despite a succession of shocks since 2020, the global economy has held up remarkably well—so far. But the margin for error is dwindling. Total global
