WTO publishes list of COVID-19 support measures adopted by members
The WTO has posted a list of economic support measures adopted by WTO members in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The list is available on the WTO’s dedicated COVID-19 web page.
The list contains support measures communicated by members and observers to the WTO Secretariat as of 6 October through the WTO's Trade Monitoring exercise. It is an informal situation report and an attempt to provide transparency with respect to support measures taken in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. It does not pass judgment on or question the right of WTO members to take such actions. The measures in the list are not categorized and no assessment of their potential relation to trade is made. […]
Global partnership to make available 120 million affordable, quality COVID-19 rapid tests for low- and middle-income countries - 28 September 2020
- A full access package includes WHO policy guidance on the use of antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests, manufacturer volume guarantees for low and middle-income countries, catalytic funding to assist governments to deploy the tests and an initial US$50 million procurement fund
- Several rapid, point-of-care antigen tests are being assessed by WHO for Emergency Use Listing (EUL)
- Agreements between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and test manufacturers Abbott and SD Biosensor make available innovative tests priced at a maximum of US$5 for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
- The Global Fund commits an initial US$50 million to enable countries to purchase the new tests, with the first orders expected to be placed this week
- Expedited market introduction of these tests in multiple LMICs is being supported through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Unitaid, FIND, CHAI, and their partners
- This is the latest move from the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator to develop, procure and distribute critical new tools to fight the pandemic; new tests are urgently needed to meet the huge unmet needs for testing worldwide […]
Fact sheet: U.S. Humanitarian and Health Assistance Response to COVID-19
The U.S. government is leading the world’s humanitarian and health assistance response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are mobilizing all necessary resources to respond rapidly, both at home and abroad. As part of this comprehensive and generous U.S. response, the State Department and USAID are providing an initial investment of nearly $274 million in emergency health and humanitarian assistance to help countries in need, on top of the funding we already provide to multilateral organizations such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
UNCTD - Global investment flows flat in 2019, moderate increase expected in 2020
Global investment flows flat in 2019, moderate increase expected in 2020
Foreign direct investment fell slightly from US$1.41 trillion in 2018 to $1.39 trillion in 2019. Flows to developed countries decreased by 6%, while those to developing economies were unchanged.
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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - January 16th, 2020
Prospects for economic growth in 2020 hinge on reducing trades disputes and uncertainty, the UN finds
The United Nations’ flagship publication on expected trends in the global economy, the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020, predicts that one in five countries will see per capita incomes stagnate or decline this year.
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Global foreign direct investment flows fell sharply in 2017
Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows fell by 23% in 2017, to $1.43 trillion from $1.87 trillion in 2016, according to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2018. The decline is in stark contrast to other macroeconomic variables, which saw substantial improvement in 2017.
“Downward pressure on FDI and the slowdown in global value chains are a major concern for policymakers worldwide, and especially in developing countries,” UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said.
“Investment in productive assets will be needed to achieve sustainable development in the poorest countries.”