Place Based Economic Development with Simon White

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The Impact of Business Environment Reform: Two Rapid Evidence Assessments

The UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) have just published to reports I co-authored this year with Peter Fortune. These present the evidence of the impact of business environment reform in two areas. Business environment reform and investment: rapid evidence assessment Over the past few years, business environment

Fertiliser: a commodity without borders?

Fertiliser: a commodity without borders?

In June 2006, the African Union (AU) declared fertiliser a “commodity without borders”. This was in response to the recognition that national borders – or more specifically non-tarrif barriers that businesspeople are faced with at the borders – were inhibiting private investment into fertiliser markets, which has a damaging effect on soils

Creating liveable cities: How can a Federal Government support cities?

Australia’s new prime minster, Malcolm Turnbull, is sounding very progressive when he talks of Australia’s future and introduces his new ministry line up. It was particularly interesting to hear of his support for cities as he introduced his new Cabinet today: “Liveable, vibrant cities are absolutely critical to

Streetscapes for local economic development

Improving our streetscapes as an economic development strategy

Improving streetscapes for local economic development In this post, I look at the connection between better streetscapes and local economic development. Better planning and good urban design are important elements in a local economic development strategy and in recent years, increasing attention is being given to the role of streetscapes.

Red Tape Reform – Today in the Australian Parliament

Amidst the turmoil this week’s political events, which saw Malcolm Turnbull ousting Tony Abbott as Prime Minister, the Australian Parliament is discussing the Omnibus Repeal Day (Autumn 2015) Bill 2015. This Bill is a part of the Australian Government’s drive for red tape reform. The list of amendments

Policies for Innovation

The June 2015 meeting of the OECD Ministerial Council held in Paris has led to the OECD Innovation Strategy 2015 An Agenda for Policy Action. This strategy highlights the key role governments can play “in fostering a sound environment for innovation, in investing in the foundations for innovation, in helping

Policies for the Formalisation of the Informal Economy

Over the last two days I have been at the International Training Centre in Italy presenting a draft document on policies and practices for the formalisation of the informal economy. I will provide links to the paper once it is finalised, but my presentation can be downloaded HERE. In June