Published on 31.05.2012
IMD announces its 2012 World Competitiveness Rankings
According to IMD's 2012 World Competitiveness Yearbook the top 3 countries are Hong Kong, US and Switzerland. US competitiveness remains the key to global recovery.
Published on 14.05.2012
Asia's ambitious free-trade agenda
Asia's three largest exporters, China, Japan and South Korea, have agreed to begin negotiations towards a trilateral free-trade agreement (FTA). Such a pact would have potentially huge benefits, given the size and, to some extent, complementarity of the three economies. However, lengthy negotiations are likely to be required, and the many stumbling blocks include powerful protectionist lobbies in each country and recurrent geopolitical tensions in the region.
Published on 27.07.2011
Vietnam: Second Payment System and Bank Modernization Project
The Second Payment System and Bank Modernization Project (PSBM2), which closed in June 2011, significantly improved the speed and reliability of interbank payments in Vietnam from two weeks in 2005 to within the day, with exponential growth (646 percent) of financial transactions nationwide (2005-June 2011). The participating banks settled… » read more
Published on 03.05.2012
Sustainable Low-Carbon City Development in China
Cities contribute an estimated 70 percent of the energy-related greenhouse gases and are therefore crucial to meeting China’s carbon reduction targets. With China set to add an estimated 350 million residents to its cities over the next 20 years, the case for urgent action is strong. Full story at Worldbank.org » read more
Published on 12.04.2012
China Aims for Soft Landing, says World Bank
A new World Bank report projects GDP growth in China will be 8.2 percent in 2012 and 8.6 percent in 2013. The China Quarterly Update, released today, says that the prospects for a gradual adjustment of growth remain high.
Published on 24.02.2012
Hong Kong and Jersey sign tax treaty
Hong Kong and Jersey have signed an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, a spokesman for the government announced today (February 24). This is the 23rd comprehensive agreement for the avoidance of double taxation (CDTA) concluded by Hong Kong. The Hong Kong/Jersey CDTA… » read more
Published on 17.02.2012
Outlook 2012: Hong Kong to continue empowering effective global Supply Chain ecosystems
Hong Kong is one of the world's leading logistics hubs. Its strategic location makes it both the Heart of Asia–half the world's population are within a five-hour flight, and also China's Gateway with unparalleled access into and out of the Mainland. The Mainland is of course now the world's biggest exporter, second largest economy and fastest g… » read more
Published on 27.02.2012
China: The Case for Change on the Road to 2030
New research report calls for a shift of China’s development and growth model.
Published on 22.02.2012
World Bank Group President to Visit China to launch the China 2030 Report
World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick will visit China from February 26 to 28, to help present a major joint report examining China’s economic opportunities and challenges to the year 2030. Zoellick will attend and address a high-level conference on February 27 to launch a joint study called “China 2030: Building a Modern, Harmonious and Cre… » read more
Published on 16.02.2012
China in Focus: Spreading the Wealth
The geographical distribution of inbound FDI continues its dramatic shift.
Published on 12.01.2012
World Bank and Vietnam sign almost USD 1 billion in support of modern infrastructure development and reforms
The State Bank of Vietnam and the World Bank today signed one IBRD loan and four IDA credits totaling US$ 973.5 million to support the development of modern infrastructure and in recognition of recent reforms in Vietnam. The money will be used to finance the Da Nang – Quang Ngai Expressway Project (US$613.5 million), Medium Cities Development P… » read more
Published on 15.12.2011
China in Focus: New pockets of trade
The mild slowdown in China's export growth evident in recent months (growth slowed to an eight-month low of 15.9% over the year in October) is a trend that is set to continue given subdued demand from developed countries. The continuing growth of domestic Chinese markets means that trade will steadily become less important to the Chinese economy. However, these broad trends mask some interesting developments within China.
Published in China News on 12.01.2012
China News: An update on production costs on the Mainland
To some extent, the upward pressure on export prices is likely to persist in 2012. While weakening demand in overseas markets will translate into downward price pressure on Chinese exports, the continued rise in labour costs on the Chinese mainland, an unremitting revaluation of the RMB and the still-high prices of crude oil and certain… » read more
Published on 10.01.2012
Hong Kong Ends the Year with Sub Par Business Confidence Heading to 2012
While the United States is on track to end the year, the global economic outlook is plagued by the uncertainties in the Eurozone. Hong Kong businesses are more conservative and fears are increasing that business growth will become more difficult in 2012.
Published on 11.11.2011
Business & Finance: Hong Kong Economy grows 4.3% in third quarter
Hong Kong's economy grew 4.3% year on year in real terms in the third quarter. Releasing the 3rd Quarter Economic Report 2011 and the preliminary figures on Q3 Gross Domestic Product, Government Economist Helen Chan said today that on a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, GDP expanded 0.1% in real terms. Full article at NewsGov.hk » read more