Finance & Development

Finance & Development, March 2006

Author/Editor:

International Monetary Fund. External Relations Dept.

Publication Date:

March 17, 2006

Summary:

For policymakers around the world, finding ways to promote faster growth is a top priority. But what exactly do economists know and not know about growth? What direction should future research and policymaking take? This issue explores this topic, starting with a major World Bank study and research coming out of Harvard University that urges less reliance on simple formulas and the elusive search for best practices, and greater reliance on deeper economic analysis to identify each country's binding constraint(s) on growth. Other articles highlight IMF research on pinpointing effective levers for growth in developing countries and Africa's experience with growth accelerations. Also in the issue are pieces examining global economic imbalances, rapid credit growth in Eastern and Central Europe, and ways to boost productivity growth in Europe and Japan. In Straight Talk, Raghuram Rajan argues that if we want microfinance to become more than a fad, it has to follow the clear and unsentimental path of adding value and making money. Asian Development bank's Haruhiko Kuroda sets out his vision for a new financial architecture in Asia. Finally, Picture This takes an in-depth look at global employment trends.

Series:

Finance & Development, Volume 43, No. 1

Subject:

Competition Credit ratings Customs administration Developing countries Economic development Economic growth Economic policy Economic reforms Employment policy Exchange rate policy Exports External shocks Finance and Development Financial institutions Fiscal policy Free trade Globalization Gross domestic product Information technology International finance Labor productivity Microfinance Poor Poverty Poverty alleviation Regression analysis Trade policy Trade taxes Unemployment Variables (Mathematics) World Bank

Notes:

Quarterly issues from 1996 onward are available for free online

Frequency:

Quarterly