Browse by: "2009"

This report analyses policy agricultural developments during 2006-08 in seven economies: Brazil, Chile, China, India, Russia, South Africa and Ukraine. This period was marked by a significant increase in world prices for most, but not all, agricultural commodities. Policy responses to rising food prices included tariff reductions, export restrictions, increased minimum prices and price controls, input subsidies, sales of stocks and direct transfers to the most disadvantaged. Other major common policy developments included: expanded government-supported credit facilities and/or debt rescheduling, endeavours to improve the delivery and performance of agricultural policies, extended coverage of insurance programmes and further efforts in land reform. A comprehensive statistical annex containing a wide range of contextual information for these economies is also included in this report.

Estimates of support to agriculture in six economies (India is not yet covered) from 1995 to 2007 are provided, in conformance with recent changes to the OECD measurement methodology. This allows a consistent comparison across emerging economies and with OECD countries in terms of changes in the level and composition of support to producers and the sector as a whole.

Water is vital for human and economic development, and for maintaining ecosystems. However, billions of people lack access to water and sanitation services, mainly due to poor governance and inadequate investment and maintenance. The situation is becoming more urgent due to increasing pressure, competition and even conflict over the use of water resources.

The OECD has been working for many years to address these challenges. The results of recent work are summarised in Managing Water for All: An OECD Perspective on Pricing and Financing, which emphasises the economic and financial aspects of water resources management and water service provision, the need for an integrated approach (including governance considerations) to address these complex policy challenges, and the importance of establishing a firm evidence base to support policy development and implementation.

The report examines: strategic financial planning for water supply and sanitation that balances the key sources of revenues for the water sector – the“3Ts” of taxes, tariffs and transfers; the design and implementation of water pricing strategies that balance financial sustainability with other policy objectives; recent developments in private sector participation in the water sector; and trends and the future outlook of water use in agriculture. It considers both developing and OECD countries and offers concrete recommendations and checklists for action. The report is an invaluable resource for policy makers, academics, NGOs and all others interested in the challenges facing the water sector today.

The key messages for policy makers are summarised in this volume.

L'Impact de la culture sur le tourisme examine la corrélation croissante entre le tourisme et la culture, et comment ils sont devenus ensemble de puissants vecteurs de l'attractivité et de la compétitivité des destinations. Sur la base d'études de cas illustrant différents aspects des relations entre le tourisme, la culture et l’attractivité régionale ainsi que les initiatives publiques qui peuvent être prises pour renforcer ces relations, cette publication démontre comment le lien entre tourisme et culture peut être renforcé afin d'accroître l’attractivité des destinations pour les touristes, mais aussi leur compétitivité comme lieux de visite, de résidence, de travail et d’investissement.

Os governos latino-americanos estão maximizando o potencial da política fiscal como uma ferramenta de desenvolvimento? A edição 2009 do Perspectivas Econômicas da América Latina mostra que os governos da região podem fazer muito mais utilizando a capacidade da política fiscal para impulsionar o crescimento econômico e o combate à pobreza e à desigualdade.

“Um passo importante rumo ao diálogo e ao intercâmbio de experiências entre os países da OCDE e os da nossa região”. Alicia Bárcena, Secretária-Executiva, CEPAL.

“Esta publicação vai levar, àqueles que lidam com o futuro da América Latina, lições valiosas de política fiscal colhidas nas experiências dos países da OCDE e latino-americanos”. Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Ex-Presidente do Brasil.

“Este segundo Perspectivas Econômicas da América Latina mostra a importância de micro aspectos para uma política fiscal adequada. O Centro de Desenvolvimento da OCDE elaborou um relatório extraordinário”.  Guillermo de la Dehesa, Presidente do Centro para Pesquisa de Política Econômica.

“A política fiscal é um eixo do contrato social e uma ferramenta-chave para o desenvolvimento econômico e social. Esta é a mensagem central do Perspectivas Econômicas da América Latina 2009, uma contribuição muito oportuna e valiosa para o debate sobre políticas na América Latina”. Augusto de la Torre, Economista-Chefe para a América Latina e Caribe, Banco Mundial.

“O Perspectivas Econômicas da América Latina 2009, mais uma vez, vai ao ponto certo: políticas fiscais estão contribuindo ativamente para o equilíbrio macroeconômico, mas o foco agora deve estar também sobre o crescimento econômico, uma condição necessária para a redução da pobreza e da desigualdade”. Alejandro Foxley, Ministro de Relações Exteriores, Chile.

“O Perspectivas Econômicas da América Latina 2009, da OCDE, realça a trilha a ser seguida para que se continue a aperfeiçoar a ação da política fiscal como uma ferramenta para o desenvolvimento”, Juan C. Gómez Sabaini, Universidade de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“Com este novo volume sobre política fiscal, o Perspectivas Econômicas da América Latina 2009, da OCDE, continua a enriquecer o nosso conhecimento e também o debate sobre temas-chaves que têm repercussões sobre os desafios econômicos e sociais da América Latina”. Enrique Iglesias, Secretário-Geral do Secretariado-Geral Ibero-Americano.

“Esta publicação mostra que o desafio à frente, para a região, é descobrir como usar escassos recursos tributários para estimular o crescimento, reduzir a pobreza e oferecer melhores serviços públicos”. Henrique Meirelles, Presidente do Banco Central do Brasil.

“Este relatório insta os formuladores de políticas a redescobrir o uso potencial da política fiscal e a tornar esse instrumento de política tão eficaz quanto possível”. Vito Tanzi, Ex-Diretor do Departamento de Assuntos Fiscais do FMI.

The Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are recommendations to international businesses on conduct in such areas as labour, the environment, consumer protection and the fight against corruption. The recommendations are made by the adhering governments and, although they are not binding, governments are committed to promoting their observance. Part I of this Annual Report provides an account of the actions the 41 adhering governments have taken over the 12 months to June 2008 to enhance the contribution of the Guidelines to the improved functioning of the global economy. Part II of this Annual Report highlights key findings of the High-Level OECD-ILO Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility.

Did you know? As of June 2008, 104,000 Web sites referred to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, compared with 25,000 five years earlier.

Cette publication de la série Tables Rondes examine les défis stratégiques et réglementaires que pose l’évolution rapide de l’environnement portuaire. L’innovation technologique et organisationnelle, ainsi qu’une très forte expansion des échanges, ont en effet radicalement transformé le secteur portuaire au cours des dernières décennies. Bien que les ports desservent aujourd’hui des arrière-pays qui s’étendent profondément à l’intérieur des continents, la concurrence interportuaire ne cesse de s’intensifier, affaiblissant le pouvoir de négociation des ports dans la chaîne logistique. L’accroissement du débit portuaire se heurte à une résistance de plus en plus forte des collectivités locales en raison de la pollution et de la congestion qu’il entraîne. La réglementation locale est justifiée, mais sa mise en œuvre est compliquée par la répartition du pouvoir de négociation entre les parties prenantes. Des autorités d’un niveau plus élevé seraient en mesure de formuler des politiques plus efficaces.

Les autorités publiques doivent relever le défi de rationaliser et de réduire les charges qu’imposent les prescriptions administratives. Cependant, les formalités administratives leur sont nécessaires pour s’informer et mettre leur action en œuvre. Les stratégies de simplification administrative visent à moderniser les méthodes, à réduire la complexité, la paperasserie et l’incertitude. Elles contribuent ainsi à la responsabilité et à l’efficience des services rendus par le secteur public, et à un environnement réglementaire qui favorise l’activité économique et sociale.

 

Ce guide tire parti de l’expérience des pays membres de l’Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques (OCDE) et des pays du Moyen-Orient et d’Afrique du Nord (MENA), ainsi que de leur concertation sur l’action à mener. Il passe en revue les obstacles communs à la conception et à la mise en œuvre d’une stratégie de simplification administrative et propose 22 moyens de les surmonter, livrant une synthèse des meilleures méthodes appliquées par les décideurs et les praticiens qui travaillent à la réduction des formalités administratives.

This publication, produced every two years, reports on trends in the steelmaking capacity in economies that are not members of the OECD. It examines the current steelmaking capacity of these economies and likely changes projected up to the year 2010.

Developments in Steelmaking Capacity of Non-OECD Economies includes an Appendix containing detailed information by economy, on an economy-by-economy, plant or project basis, as well as on existing capacity and equipment, the starting date of planned projects, works ownership and the information sources used. It also briefly describes the progress of projects, recent changes at existing works, and, where known, the financing of projects.

In many OECD countries, tertiary education systems have experienced rapid growth over the last decade. With tertiary education increasingly seen as a fundamental pillar for economic growth, these systems must now address the pressures of a globalising economy and labour market. Within governance frameworks that encourage institutions, individually and collectively, to fulfil multiple missions, tertiary education systems must aim for the broad objectives of growth, full employment and social cohesion.

In this context, the OECD launched a major review of tertiary education with the participation of 24 nations. The principal objective of the review is to assist countries in understanding how the organisation, management and delivery of tertiary education can help them achieve their economic and social goals. Japan is one of 14 countries which opted to host a Country Review, in which a team of external reviewers carried out an in-depth analysis of tertiary education policies. This report includes:

• an overview of Japan's tertiary education system;
• an account of trends and developments in tertiary education in Japan;
• an analysis of the strengths and challenges in tertiary education in Japan; and
• recommendations for future policy development.

This review of tertiary education in Japan forms part of the OECD Thematic Review of Tertiary Education, a project conducted between 2004 and 2008.