Policy Guidebook for SME Development in Asia and the Pacific
World Economic Situation and Prospects 2012
This timely report provides an overview of the most recent global economic performance and short-term prospects for the world economy. It discusses several policy directions which could avoid a double-dip recession, and it covers a wide range of important development issues that are of interest to all countries and regions of the world. One of the main purposes of this publication is to serve as a point of reference for discussions on economic, social and related issues that will take place in various United Nations forums and entities over the coming months.
Publisher: United Nations Publication Date: January 2012 ISBN: 9789211091649 Pages: 200 Price: $30.00
Publisher: United Nations Publication Date: March 2012 ISBN: 9789211206364 Pages: 270 Price: $38.00
Economic Development in Africa Report 2011: Fostering Industrial Development in Africa in the New Global Environment
Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2011
This publication shows that the Latin American and Caribbean economy in 2011 was recovering from the global financial crisis. It also recalls that the positive outlook for the region’s economy can be exemplified by the fact that household consumption continued to grow. Thanks to rising real wages and strong job creation, the regional unemployment rate went down in 2011. Readily available credit at low interest rates in many countries actually contributed to a fresh rise in gross fixed capital formation, which took the investment ratio to a new record. Finally, the report also shows that driven mainly by high international prices, the inflation rate in 2011 rose just slightly compared to the previous year.
This publication examines the status of industrial development in Africa with a focus on the identification of "stylized facts" associated with African manufacturing. It provides an analysis of past attempts at promoting industrial development in the region and the lessons learned from these experiences. It offers policy recommendations on how to foster industrial development in Africa in the new global environment characterized by changing international trade rules, growing influence of industrial powers from the South, the internationalization of production, and increasing concerns about climate change. Finally, it argues that a new industrial policy is needed to induce structural transformation and engender development in African economies.
Publisher: United Nations Publication Date: December 2011 ISBN: 9789210210836 Pages: 160 Price: $20.00
Publisher: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)/ United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Publication Date: February 2012 ISBN: 9789211128253 Pages: 124 Price: $30.00
E CO N OM IC AN D S O C I A L S T U D I E S
Information Economy Report 2011: ICTs as an Enabler for Private Sector Development
Human Development Report 2011: Sustainability and Equity - A Better Future for All
One of the few monitoring global trends related to information and communication technologies (ICTs) from a development perspective, this publication is a valuable reference for policymakers in developing countries. Special attention is given to ICTs in accelerating private sector development (PSD) in developing countries. Many national and donor strategies related to PSD fail to take adequate account of the ICT potential, which has greatly expanded thanks to changes in the global ICT landscape. Different facets of the ICT-PSD interface are explored, including: ICT infrastructure as a factor in the investment climate; ICT use by the private sector; the ICT sector as a part of the private sector, and finally, ICT use in interventions aimed at facilitating PSD.
This report examines the urgent global challenge of sustainable development and its relationship to rising inequality within and among countries. It strives to identify polices that would make development both more sustainable and more equitable. The integral relationship between inequality and unsustainability is recognized. The inequitably apportioned control and consumption of natural resources is a key driver of global warming — and yet those who will suffer most from climate change are disproportionately those least responsible for environmental deterioration. The report seeks to identify ways in which sustainability and equity can be jointly advanced. It examines long-term trends in inequality at national and global levels, and argues why it is essential to promote practices today that will both increase sustainability and reduce inequality for future generations..
Publisher: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Publication Date: February 2012 ISBN: 9789211128338 Pages: 150 Price: $60.00
Publisher: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Publication Date: November 2011 ISBN: 9780230363311 Pages: 188 Price: $40.00
Trade and Human Development: A Practical Guide to Mainstreaming Trade
Diagnostic for Industrial Value Chain Development DIAGNOSTICS FOR INDUSTRIAL VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT
An Integrated Tool
Nearly four billion people live on $2 a day or less. More than a billion of them live in extreme poverty, subsisting on less than $1.25 a day. Since 2003, world trade expanded at an average annual rate of 16 per cent, before collapsing as a result of the global economic crisis in 2009. Despite the growth, the benefits of trade are still unequally distributed both within and across countries. For example in 2009, three countries accounted for 40 per cent of world merchandise exports while the 48 least developed countries accounted for less than one per cent. This publication discusses the dynamics of trade mainstreaming in developing countries by drawing on the experience of 14 case studies. The objective is to look more closely at the context in which trade mainstreaming occurs, and to identify the common elements of success in mainstreaming trade in national development strategies.
Promoting industrial value chains in developing countries is a promising approach to foster economic development, create jobs and induce inclusive growth while addressing social and environmental issues. However, such promotion requires understanding of the status of development in the value chain and the complex linkages among its actors and with the socio-political environment. This publication assists analysts and decision makers in obtaining a complete picture of the status quo in a given value chain using rapid data collection and analysis methods. This type of diagnostic is useful at any point of value chain development: at the outset, when choosing the value chain, during the analysis phase and later during implementation, monitoring, evaluation and adjustment.
Publisher: United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Publication Date: January 2012 ISBN: 9789211064476 Pages: 94 Price: $18.00
Publisher: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Publication Date: November 2011 ISBN: 9789211263190 Pages: 152 Price: $19.95
Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy: The Region in the Decade of the Emerging Economies
State of the World's Volunteerism Report 2011: Universal Values for Global Well-being
In most societies, millions of people make significant contributions to economic and social development through voluntary action. This report supports a better understanding of volunteerism by exhibiting its universality, scope and reach, and by highlighting new trends in the 21st century. It examines the important contributions in diverse fields such as enhanced livelihoods, social inclusion, social cohesion, disaster risk reduction, governance and political participation. This publication also provides an alternative vision towards a better society. It is expected to lead to enhanced recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteerism worldwide and to an increased recognition of United Nations Volunteers' critical role in peace and development as well as in norm-setting in the United Nations System.
This publication covers the Latin America and the Caribbean region within the context of the decade of the emerging economies. It is divided into three parts that consider: crisis and convergence in the international arena; relations between Latin America and the Caribbean and its main partners outside the region, and challenges for Latin America and the Caribbean in achieving better integration with the world economy. Among other things, it is highlighted that lower growth in the industrialized countries is starting to act as a drag on the main emerging economies. The slowdown in the industrialized countries is affecting China and, particularly, Brazil and India. If these trends continue, the report argues that exports to Europe and the United States will slow in 2012.
Publisher: United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Publication Date: November 2011 ISBN: 9789211012460 Pages: 148 Price: $25.00
Publisher: United Nations Publication Date: January 2012 ISBN: 9789210210812 Pages: 134 Price: $20.00 14
www.un.org/publications unpublications@nbnbooks.com
E CO N O MI C A N D SO C I A L S T U D I E S
As drivers of economic growth and prosperity, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a key role in economic development. However, the SME sectors of developing Asia-Pacific economies face issues (both general and nation-specific) that hinder their growth. There is a strong need to tackle such issues while taking into account the variety of experiences, policies and programmes of different countries. Covering major SME constraints — business enabling environment, entrepreneurial culture, access to finance, innovation and technology adaptation, business development services, and market access — this publication proposes public policy guidelines with an aim to develop a vibrant SME sector. It serves as a training manual for entrepreneurs, trainers as well as business associations for SME capacity building.
UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS
SPRING SUMMER 2012
phone: 1. 888.254.4286 fax: 1. 800.338.4550
15