Slovenia becomes the OECD's 32nd member - BIAC welcomes Association of Employers of Slovenia (ZDS) to its membership22 July 2010 - On 21 July 2010, Slovenia deposited its instrument of accession to the OECD Convention, thereby becoming a full member of the Organisation. With this action, the Association of Employers of Slovenia (ZDS) officially becomes a full BIAC Member Organisation. ZDS joins the BIAC membership at a crucial time in which the global economy is facing unprecedented challenges. The need for greater international co-operation is therefore of fundamental importance for a return to sustainable economic growth, and BIAC is delighted to be able to work closely with the Slovenian business community in this effort. South Africa: Boosting job creation and exports key to growth, says OECD’s Gurría19 July 2010 - South Africa should leverage the positive impact of the World Cup to improve living standards by boosting job creation and exports, said Secretary-General Angel Gurría at the launch of the Economic Survey of South Africa in Pretoria. Climate change: Gurría welcomes calls for further emissions reductions19 July 2010 - OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría has welcomed the call by ministers in France, Germany and the UK for Europe to adopt a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over 1990 levels by 2020. Employment: Job creation must be a top priority in months ahead, says OECD’s Gurria7 July 2010 - OECD countries need to create 17 million jobs to get employment levels back to where they were before the crisis, according to the OECD’s Employment Outlook 2010 a new OECD report. Unemployment may have peaked in the OECD area, having reached 8.6% in May 2010, it says. U.S. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Douglas H. Shulman speaks before the OECD/BIAC8 June 2010 - U.S. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Douglas H. Shulman spoke before the OECD/BIAC in Washington, D.C. Addressing the OECD and leaders in the international tax and business community, he discussed important developments of the past year from an international tax perspective that included the continued increased cooperation and coordination among countries on tax issues. Global warming: ending fuel subsidies could cut greenhouse gas emissions 10%, says OECD9 June 2010 - Careful phasing-out of fossil fuel subsidies can be a low-cost way to meet part of the targets announced following the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen. According to new OECD analysis based on data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), ending fossil fuel subsidies could cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 10% from the levels they would otherwise reach in 2050 under “business as usual.” |
BIAC urges Ministers to improve business environment in Central Asia region18 June 2010 – Speaking at the first OECD Central Asia Initiative Ministerial Roundtable, BIAC member, Mr. Tamer Sen, Head of Department in TÜSIAD International, formally presented business recommendations to Ministers aimed at opening up the region to trade and investment in order to ensure an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth. Economy : Developing countries set to account for nearly 60% of world GDP by 2030, according to new estimates16 June 2010 - The rapid growth of emerging economies has led to a shift in economic power: forecasts based on analysis by late economist Angus Maddison suggest that the aggregate economic weight of developing and emerging economies is about to surpass that of the countries that currently make up the advanced world. According to Perspectives on Global Development: Shifting Wealth, a new publication from the OECD Development Centre, the economic and financial crisis is accelerating this longer-term structural transformation in the global economy. Longer-term forecasts suggest that today’s developing and emerging countries are likely to account for nearly 60% of world GDP by 2030. See attached graphic: The effects on greenhouse gas emissions of removing fossil fuel subsidies in emerging and developing countries combined with caps on emissions in developed countries. Business’ message to OECD Ministers: Return to private sector-led growth28 May 2010 - Speaking at the OECD Ministerial Meeting 27-28 May 2010, BIAC urged governments to implement policies enhancing employability, innovation, green growth, and open trade and investment. Unwinding stimulus measures and returning to private sector-led growth is the only long run sustainable path to economic recovery and employment creation. Economics: Innovation central to boosting growth and jobs, says OECD27 May 2010 - “Knowledge is the main driver of today’s global economy,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría at the launch of the OECD Innovation Strategy in Paris. “Countries need to harness innovation and entrepreneurship to boost growth and employment. This is the key to a sustainable rise in living standards.” Accession : OECD welcomes Chile, Estonia, Israel and Slovenia27 May 2010 - OECD countries welcomed four new members – Chile, Estonia, Israel and Slovenia – at their annual Council meeting at ministerial level. Watch the webcasts of the accession ceremony and press conference with OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi - Chair of this year's ministerial Council meeting, Prime Ministers Andrus Ansip (Estonia), Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel) and Borut Pahor (Slovenia), and Chilean Finance Minister Felipe Larrain. |
