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Features
Investing in the Poor: New Directions in Microfinance
Microfinance has come a long way since Grameen Bank first offered small loans to the poor. Microfinance now offers
a full range of financial services, including savings, insurance, money transfer services and pension schemes. But the
promise of microfinance, of poverty-beating incomes for budding entreprenurs, has failed to materialise.
Migrating to Prosperity: Remittances in the Pacific
When Bob Zoellick said that "labout mobility is absolutely critical to the long-term development of the South Pacific", he was reinforcing the fact
that remittances and migration are fundamental to developing country prosperity.
Comment
Agriculture Liberalisation Won't Save the Third World
Of the 100-odd developing countries in the World Trade Organisation, most (76%)
are net food importers. Those without a comparative advantage in agriculture
face negative outcomes from the Doha talks, because the price of basic food
staples will rise.
Policy Brief
Half Way to Nothing? MDGs in the Pacific
As the mid-way point for the Millennium Development Goals approaches, there is
much to be done in the Pacific if the goals are to be met. In 2015, it is
likely that Pacific island countries and their major aid donors will be heavily
criticised for their failure to achieve their MDG targets.
Report
Size Matters: The Impact of Aid on Institutions
Modern aid is based on the fundamental assumption that economic growth reduces poverty, and therefore growth is good. This assumption underpins development activities in the Pacific. But, as has been noted by most Pacific analysts over the last 30 years, economic growth in the Pacific has been almost non-existent and in Melanesia it has failed to keep pace with population growth. This paper, written for UNU-WIDER's Fragile States program, finds evidence that aid has a detrimental impact on smaller economies as it weakens institutions, and therefore undermines growth. Download Report |
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