The overlooked power of communities in poverty measurement
As with the informal economy, the lack of data on social capital in developing nations has contributed to its exclusion from poverty models. However, if poverty
Dollar stable even with US rate cuts in focus, yen vigil continues
Rate-cut wagers ramp up after dovish comments from policymakers. The U.S. dollar was steady on Tuesday even as investors deliberated over the chances of a
Is AI making us smarter or just making us look smart?
Here’s an uncomfortable truth: Students can ace every assignment in class and learn virtually nothing. Conversely, they can struggle through tasks and learn quite a
The (un)intended consequences of export restrictions
Export restrictions on industrial raw materials are increasingly used by developing economies to climb value chains. This column explores whether Indonesia’s 2014 ban on nickel
The unbearable lightness of the sovereign greenium
Since 2016, many governments have issued ‘green’ debt instruments to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. This column shows that a yield discount on
Credit and product innovation in emerging markets: Evidence from India
Access to finance is an important driver of innovation in developed countries. This studies a 2006 reform in India that expanded credit access for many
Rewiring trade for a warming world: How COP30 can turn climate goals into trade rules
The challenge for policymakers at COP30 is not to reach universal agreement on the exact ‘price’ of carbon, but to build rules that function amid
No, the EU does not impose a 45% tariff on itself
A recent paper which has gathered significant attention estimates a 45% tariff equivalent of intra-EU border costs. This column argues that this estimate is likely
Navigating the complex world of non-tariff measures
For decades, global trade debates have centered on tariffs – the duties countries impose on imported goods. Today, a new, more complicated set of trade
Frontiers of digital finance, part 1: A global perspective
The digitisation of payment, trading, and settlement systems is reshaping the financial architecture. This column, the first in a two-part series, offers an overview of
