Trade is an increasingly international business, but not all countries are able fully to take part. Products must meet exacting international standards, which can be a barrier to trade for countries without adequate infrastructure...
SMEs in developing countries face significant financing challenges due to the lack of appropriately-sized loans available to them. Needs on either end of the spectrum are – relatively – better addressed; large firms have a variety...
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is now a well-established field in which companies are expected to take measures to improve their impacts on society and the environment. But why should businesses be more responsible, how can...
With countries like Myanmar approaching critical points of no return in their economic and social development, financing and support mechanisms must promote sustainable and socially-responsible growth. “We are open for business –...
There are still 2 billion people in the world today without access to medicine. “We cannot solve this problem without the efforts and cooperation of many people and organisations,” said Wim Leereveld, founder and CEO of the Access...
The amount of investment needed in oil and gas or mining is set to climb, and the proportion destined for lower-income countries could significantly increase with the potential of lifting over 540 million people out of poverty...
An evaluation of the EU’s support to Private Sector Development (PSD) comes at a time when EuropeAid’s redefines its future private sector strategy. PSD is a key priority of the Agenda for Change, which provides direction for the...
At last year's Rio+20 sustainable development conference, Green Economy emerged as one of the two main issues, alongside strengthening the institutional framework for sustainable development. But how can we translate what has been...
Participants at a high level panel discussion entitled, “Women Entrepreneurship to Reshape the Economy through Innovation in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA)” held during the 2012 European Development Days explored ways...
Trucks overloaded with everything from cement to oil through rice and sugar crawl along West Africa’s road network, as the roads beneath their wheels crumble under the strain.