The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013

Overall Rankings 2013
Source: World Economic Forum

Under the theme “Reducing Barriers to Economic Growth and Job Creation” The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013 assesses 140 economies worldwide based on the extent to which they are putting in place the factors and policies to make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism sector.

2013 Index of Economic Freedom

January 2013
Source: The Heritage Foundation in partnership with The Wall Street Journal

"The global advance toward economic freedom has ground to a halt," according to the editors of the 19th annual Index of Economic Freedom, released today by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal. The world average score of 59.6 was only one-tenth of a point above the 2012 average. Since reaching a global peak in 2008, the editors note, economic freedom has continued to stagnate. The overall trend for last year, however, was positive: Among the 177 countries ranked in the 2013 Index, scores improved for 91 countries and declined for 78.

2012 Catalyst Census: Fortune 500 Women Board Directors

December 2012
Source: Catalyst. Mentor Circle Sponsor: Ernst & Young

The 2012 Catalyst Census: Fortune 500 Women Board Directors provides critical statistics to gauge women’s advancement into leadership and highlights the gender diversity gap.

Benchmarking Global City Competitiveness 2012

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit

Well over half of the world’s population now lives in cities, generating more than 80% of global GDP. Already, global business is beginning to plan strategy from a city, rather than a country, perspective. Given the rapid growth and development of many cities, particularly in emerging markets such as China and India, competition between them for business, investment and talent will only get fiercer. Size alone does not determine a city’s growth potential. While some megacities, such as New York and Tokyo, are immensely influential, there are smaller ones, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, which have established themselves as globally competitive centres in recent years. Meanwhile, emerging market cities such as Ahmedabad and Tianjin are witnessing double-digit economic growth and have the potential to grow even faster.

Agreement for Trade, Economic, Investment & Technical Cooperation between the U.S. and the GCC

September 27, 2012
Source: Office of the United States Trade Representative – Executive Office of the President

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk today announced that the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) signed a Framework Agreement for Trade, Economic, Investment and Technical Cooperation. The Agreement will establish a Joint Committee to discuss areas where both the GCC and the United States share mutual interests, including considering opportunities for enhancing economic, commercial, investment and technical cooperation, fostering their economic relations and increasing the volume of trade and investment between them.

Infrastructure 100: World Cities Edition 2012

Source: KPMG

Urban infrastructure is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. With more than half of the global population already huddled into cities that – together – make up less than two percent of the planet’s land cover, the pressure now being placed on urban infrastructure is unprecedented. But, as this publication demonstrates, these challenges are clearly not insurmountable. All around the world, we see inspirational and innovative examples of projects that are sure to transform not only the urban setting, but also the way the world’s urban populations interact with their infrastructure, their governments, their cities and the environment.

The Global Competitiveness Report 2012 – 2013

Source: World Economic Forum

The Global Competitiveness Report 2012–2013 is being released amid a long period of economic uncertainty. The tentative recovery that seemed to be gaining ground during 2010 and the first half of 2011 has given way to renewed concerns. The global economy faces a number of significant and interrelated challenges that could hamper a genuine upturn after an economic crisis half a decade long in much of the world, especially in the most advanced economies. The persisting financial difficulties in the periphery of the euro zone have led to a long-lasting and unresolved sovereign debt crisis that has now reached the boiling point.

Global Innovation Index 2012

The fifth edition (2012), of the GII is co-published by INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Stronger Innovation Linkages for Global Growth

The Global Innovation Index (GII) is a recognition of the key role that innovation serves as a driver of economic growth and prosperity. It is also an acknowledgement of the need for a broad horizontal vision of innovation that is applicable to both developed and emerging economies, with the inclusion of indicators that go beyond the traditional measures of innovation (such as the level of research and development in a given country). The GII is a valuable benchmarking tool to facilitate public-private dialogue, whereby policymakers, business leaders and other stakeholders can evaluate progress on a continual basis.

Global Enabling Trade Report 2012

Reducing Supply Chain Barriers
Source: World Economic Forum

The Global Enabling Trade Report 2012 reflects a world in which trade has rebounded from its 2009 slump. It is a world where trade is no longer dominated by developed economies but is now more concentrated in and among emerging economies. This shift highlights the virtuous role trade can play in economic growth and poverty reduction. With progress stalled in multilateral trade negotiations, the Report’s practical focus on tackling barriers is increasingly important.

Free Trade: Is it Time for a New Game Plan?

By: Steve Minter
Source: Industry Week: June 20, 2012

As the nation's trade deficit grows in the face of rising exports, critics say it's time for the U.S. to take a tougher stance on China and other trade- rule violators.

"Made in the World" Initiative

Source: WTO

The "Made in the World" initiative has been launched by the WTO to support the exchange of projects, experiences and practical approaches in measuring and analyzing trade in value added.

Introduction

Today, companies divide their operations across the world, from the design of the product and manufacturing of components to assembly and marketing, creating international production chains. More and more products are “Made in the World” rather than “Made in the UK” or “Made in France”. The statistical bias created by attributing the full commercial value to the last country of origin can pervert the political debate on the origin of the imbalances and lead to misguided, and hence counter-productive, decisions. The challenge is to find the right statistical bridges between the different statistical frameworks and national accounting systems to ensure that international interactions resulting from globalization are properly reflected and to facilitate cross border dialogue between national decision makers.