Full Coverage: Economy

26.02.2008 India is going to announce its annual budget for the financial year 2008-09 on February 29. Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability is organising a panel discussion on March 1 in New Delhi, where eminent panellists will present a common manÂ’s perspective on it.

25.02.2008 Struggles against Special Economic Zones are labeled as ‘anti-development’ by middle class India. Yet Goa’s recent anti-SEZ campaign was led by educated professionals, activists, the church and media, forcing the state government to backtrack. The SEZ is an independent foreign territory with no local or government control, say Goa’s champion campaigners.

20.02.2008 The budding IT industry in Pakistan, currently worth $3 billion, is now looking east towards India to set up its data centres. It is expected that more of its new technology firms would soon seek to leverage Indian expertise and talent.

19.02.2008 According to a new Wealth and Survival Index, India is one of the worst performers in cutting child mortality, given its national wealth. The new report by Save the Children UK says even the poorest of countries can attain child survival if they pursue the right policies.

14.02.2008 A new government survey says 20% of rural India lives on Rs 12 a day. Just a few months ago another survey had said 77% of the country survived on less than Rs 20. Contrary to the expectations of proponents of neo-liberal regime, it appears gains of a growing economy are not trickling down.

14.02.2008 Pakistan is in a shambles on all fronts. The economy is in tatters with soaring inflation, a slowdown in growth, rising debt burden, trade imbalance and more. For the new government in Pakistan, it will be a colossal task to clean up the mess.

14.02.2008 The IndiaÂ’s north-east is a picture of diversity with multiple religions, cultures and tribes. But beneath its charming veneer lies a region simmering with discord and anarchy, says Economics professor Kaushik Basu. The government needs to address law and order issues to control extortions by the insurgents, adds Basu.

12.02.2008

11.02.2008 A report by the UN body UNCTAD says the use of mobiles and the Internet in businesses, schools and homes help people prosper and drive long-term economic growth in developing countries. At the same time the report draws attention to the widening gap between rich and poor countries in broadband use.

06.02.2008 India has slipped to 128th position in the world human development index. An average expenditure of farmer household is less than half a dollar a month. About 82% of them suffer from indebtedness. Yet the government is withdrawing from sectors that matter most to the poor, says Magsaysay awardee P. Sainath.

05.02.2008 When it comes to investing in girls, actions must speak louder than words. A new report Why Girls Count says governments and multilateral agencies in developing countries must invest in the welfare of girls for better social and economic outcomes; countries that do not do so risk perpetuating poverty.

04.02.2008 The UN and USAID along with nine other donors have proposed a plan costing US$ 4 billion for post-cyclone reconstruction in Bangladesh. Cyclone Sidr had struck the country in November last year leaving thousands dead and causing huge economic losses.