Category: Opinion

World MSME Day: A Global Commemoration of Entrepreneurial Vitality

15 May 202512 June 2025 Editor No Comments

Observed annually on June 27th, World MSME Day highlights the indispensable role of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises as pivotal drivers of global job creation, innovation, and sustainable development. World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (MSME Day), observed annually on June 27th, serves as a pivotal international observance to recognize and celebrate the immense…

Business, News, Opinion, Reports, SMEs, Updates, Videos

Russia and UAE Near Historic Free Trade Zone Agreement: A Boost for SMEs

29 April 202529 April 2025 Editor No Comments

In a significant step toward deepening economic ties, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are finalizing a free trade zone agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the UAE, with a target signing date by the end of 2025. Announced by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk on April 28, 2025, the deal…

Business, News, Opinion, Politics, Reports, SMEs

Why Free Trade Agreements Should Address Labor Market Disparities

1 March 20251 March 2025 Perumal Koshy No Comments

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) fuel economic growth by cutting tariffs and opening markets, yet they miss a critical inefficiency: labor market disparities tied to racial or ethnic factors that sap productivity and growth. Trade isn’t just goods—it’s the workers powering innovation and supply chains. When hiring biases and wage gaps limit talent based on demographics, economies lose billions—up to 4% of GDP in advanced nations, per the IMF. FTAs, designed to maximize prosperity, can’t ignore this drag. Adjusting them to address these gaps could unlock significant gains in efficiency and output.

FEATURED, Free Trade, Human Capital, Opinion

Jeffrey Sachs at the European Parliament: A Call for Pragmatic Global Cooperation

1 March 20252 March 2025 Svetlana M No Comments

In a thought-provoking address to the European Parliament, economist Jeffrey Sachs presented a nuanced perspective on global geopolitics, economic development, and the need for a shift in international relations. His speech covered key themes such as multipolarity, economic justice, the importance of diplomacy, and the need for fairer global financial and trade systems. The Need…

News, Opinion

UK-India Free Trade Agreement: A Vital Imperative for Britain’s Economic Future

27 February 202528 February 2025 Perumal Koshy No Comments

The United Kingdom and India are on the verge of finalizing a long-negotiated Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a deal that could redefine their economic partnership. While both nations stand to gain, Britain—more than India—is in urgent need of this agreement. In a post-Brexit landscape marked by sluggish growth and deteriorating trade ties with the European…

FEATURED, Free Trade, Opinion, TOP STORIES, Trade

The Biggest Global Economic Shift in a Century is Happening NOW!

23 February 202525 February 2025 Perumal Koshy No Comments

The transatlantic alliance is no longer the pillar of global economic power. Once dominant, it now struggles with stagnation, while emerging economies reshape trade, finance, and diplomacy in a multipolar world. For decades, the world was defined by the economic and geopolitical dominance of the United States and Western Europe. Today, that order is unraveling….

FEATURED, Opinion, Politics, TOP STORIES

AI as the New Invisible Hand: Can Algorithms Create the Ultimate Free Market?

5 February 202511 February 2025 Perumal Koshy No Comments

For centuries, economic systems have depended on human decision-making, regulatory institutions, and ideological frameworks to manage resource allocation, production, and distribution. Capitalism uses market forces, socialism depends on planning, and mixed economies attempt a balance. But a new paradigm is emerging—AI-driven economic governance—where supercomputers and real-time data analytics play a central role in optimizing efficiency,…

AI, Data, FEATURED, Opinion, Technology, TOP STORIES

Breaking Bureaucracy: Technology-Driven Deregulation for the 21st Century

31 January 202531 January 2025 Perumal Koshy No Comments

Deregulation, tax reforms, and pro-business policies continue to shape economic discourse worldwide. While governments across developed and emerging economies have undertaken significant regulatory reforms—ranging from the UK’s post-Brexit adjustments to India’s ongoing business compliance simplifications—the conversation around bureaucratic inefficiencies, compliance costs, and regulatory bottlenecks remains critical. One of the most transformative levers of deregulation today…

FEATURED, Opinion, SMEs, Technology, TOP STORIES

Enterprise Development: Exploring the Fifth Wheel of Stakes?

16 January 202528 January 2025 Dr. Mathew P. M No Comments

This article critically evaluates the alignment of industrial policies with public aspirations and their impact on enterprise development. Dr. P.M. Mathew examines the limitations of traditional policy frameworks and the need for evidence-based approaches that engage diverse stakeholders, including governments, financial institutions, and civil society. By highlighting the importance of stakeholder collaboration, development communication, and…

FEATURED, Opinion, SMEs, TOP STORIES

Rethinking Work Hours: The Case for Balance in SME Growth Strategies?

25 November 202425 November 2024 P. KOSHY No Comments

Overwork is more than a health risk—it’s a threat to productivity and sustainability, especially for SMEs. Studies by the WHO and ILO reveal that working 55+ hours weekly significantly raises the risk of stroke and heart disease, with 745,000 deaths linked to prolonged hours in 2016 alone. For SMEs, whose success hinges on human capital, chronic overwork leads to cognitive decline, impaired creativity, and absenteeism. The productivity paradox is clear: longer hours diminish critical thinking and problem-solving, undermining the very qualities that drive innovation and growth.

FEATURED, Human Capital, Opinion, SMEs