December 2024 – A new policy brief by Andre Simangunsong, Titik Anas, and Christopher Findlay highlights the need for a shift from traditional export promotion to export facilitation as a more effective strategy for enhancing global trade competitiveness. Key Findings Who Exports? A small percentage of firms dominate exports, with the most productive and larger firms more likely to participate in global trade. Factors such as human capital, foreign ownership, and the institutional environment significantly influence export...

This report examines the essential role of critical minerals in the transition to low-carbon economies, a process necessitated by the challenges of climate change and the imperative to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This phenomenon not only redefines global economic and trade dynamics but also positions critical minerals as strategic elements in the energy transition. Their management requires a balance of sustainability, supply security, and international cooperation, aspects that will define the success of the...

Global technology and innovation serve as beacons of hope in the face of climate change. ClimateTech is not a fleeting trend confined to laboratories; it stands as one of the most promising avenues for humanity to tackle climate change and drive sustainable progress. We are heartened to see many technological innovations moving from labs to factories, industrial zones, markets, communities, and homes, making a lasting, tangible impact on our fight against climate change. This report, “ClimateTech In Focus: Innovations for...

The Asia-Pacific region faces a complex economic landscape characterized by growth potential tempered by significant risks. Forecasts project a GDP growth rate of 3.4% in 2024, with inflation expected to moderate to around 2.3%, but challenges such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, global supply chain vulnerabilities, and ageing populations present substantial risks. These risks are exacerbated by factors such as protectionism, trade conflicts, and the increased frequency of natural disasters affecting economic...

PRESS RELEASE: STAKEHOLDERS HOPEFUL FOR POSITIVE OUTCOMES FROM APEC MEET 12 November 2023 Making progress on regional trade and geo-political tensions topped the list of issues stakeholders think APEC Leaders should address when they meet in San Francisco later this week. This was followed by making supply chains more resilient in the aftermath of their fragility exposed during the pandemic and then long-term policy reforms considering the slower growth trajectory of regional economies. Respondents continued to be negative...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY From March to April 2023 the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) conducted its annual survey of regional policy experts’ views on the State of the Region. Out of the more than 700 respondents, 47 percent expected worse growth for the global economy, a slight improvement over the 60 percent in last year’s survey. At the same time, they were slightly less pessimistic about the prospects for their own economies with 33 percent expecting weaker growth. The continued perception of weaker growth is...