Insights, Policy, and Business Intelligence for SMEs, Businesses, and Entrepreneurs
Samsung has taken a significant step toward democratizing artificial intelligence (AI) with the launch of its latest Galaxy A series smartphones—Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G. This move signals a push to integrate AI-driven features into mid-range devices, making cutting-edge technology more accessible to a wider audience, including small businesses, entrepreneurs,…
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.
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…
Read More “Jeffrey Sachs at the European Parliament: A Call for Pragmatic Global Cooperation” »
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…
Read More “UK-India Free Trade Agreement: A Vital Imperative for Britain’s Economic Future” »
IID Policy Brief 17 – Trade for Industrial Development: Leveraging the Potential of BRICS for Developing Countries 2025 | Author(s): B. Tse, F. Hartwich The expansion of BRICS to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE, alongside its growing network of partner countries, marks a significant development in global economic cooperation. With a combined…
Read More “Leveraging BRICS for Industrial Development: A Critical Review of IID Policy Brief 17” »
New Delhi, February 27, 2025 – A high-level European Union (EU) delegation, led by Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Union Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, met with India’s Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in New Delhi today to discuss strengthening collaboration in startups and innovation. The meeting marks a significant milestone…
Read More “India and EU Strengthen Science and Technology Ties with High-Level Delegation Meeting” »
New Delhi, February 27, 2025 – India and the European Union (EU) are engaged in high-level discussions to advance negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with 22 European Commissioners, is in New Delhi to address trade, investment, and regulatory challenges between the two economies. The…
February 18, 2025 marks the third anniversary of the India-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a landmark trade agreement that has significantly boosted bilateral economic ties. Signed during a virtual summit on February 18, 2022, between Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the agreement came into force on May 1, 2022.
The Rabeha Joint Programme, a collaboration between UN Women and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), is driving positive change for women-led handicraft enterprises in Egypt. By providing technical assistance, business support, and greater market access, the initiative is helping women entrepreneurs scale their businesses and improve their economic opportunities. One of the key…
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….
Read More “The Biggest Global Economic Shift in a Century is Happening NOW!” »