Bottom of the Pyramid Markets

Book Review--The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profits

C. K. Prahalad seeks to solve global poverty by turning the bottom of the socioeconomic pyramid from victims of globalization into its beneficiaries through consumerism.

Help Wanted: China Finds Itself With a Labor Shortage

There is a growing shortage of factory workers in two of China's southern provinces at the heart of its export-driven economy.

China's Local Growth Economy Still Strong

China says it will keep its economy going strong, while also promoting energy conservation, controlling unnecessary investments in "overheated sectors" such as steel, cement, aluminum and real estate, as well as aiding rural areas. Leaders at a policy meeting reportedly said China's monetary policy will remain "prudent." The New York Times/Associated Press (free registration) (12/7)

Good News About Poverty

Globalization has made this the most prosperous year in human history.

China's 'Haves' Stir the 'Have Nots' to Violence

The number and scale of protests have been rising because of conflicts between different interest groups in China's quasi market economy.

At Forum, Leaders Confront Annual Enigma of China

At the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, there are many questions, but few answers on the subject of China's prospects.

China's Elite Learn to Flaunt It While the New Landless Weep

In a generation, a rough-and-tumble form of capitalism is eclipsing the remnants of socialism in China.

"The Chinese Miracle Will End Soon"

China's economy has caused a buzz around the world in recent years, but with that has also come soaring levels of pollution. In this interview with Der Spiegel, China's vice minister of the environment, Pan Yue, talks about the looming environmental crisis which could create millions of "environmental refugees." Der Spiegel (English online version) (3/7)

Growth and the Poor

Growth will not reduce poverty unless Latin American governments redirect it to the poor.

Africa welcomes aid pledges with hope, scepticism

Following the renewed interest in Africa on display at last week's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, African nations are hopeful yet cautious concerning new pledges of aid for development and fighting AIDS. Some skeptics were dismissive of the latest round of trumpet blowing because such pledges have not always materialized in the past, but British Prime Minister Tony Blair and leaders from the African Union have voiced commitment to the "big push" development economists say is needed to bring Africa up to speed. AlertNet.org/Reuters (2/1)

Fast Food Takes a Bite Out of Chinese Culture

As the world's most populous nation continues its transformation from a former outpost of communism into a place where spending power reigns, it has come to this: China's cuisine is increasingly being altered by the growing consumption of fast food, with Chinese now more likely than Americans to eat takeout meals, according to a survey released last week by ACNielsen Corp., the market research firm.

Made in China. Bought Everywhere.

The Chinese are exporting at such a rapid rate that the U.S. and Europe find themselves with large bills to China, leading to stronger demands for trade restrictions.

China Worries About Economic Surge That Skips the Poor

Chinese leaders open their legislative session trying to resolve a pair of problems: the economy is growing too fast, and most feel left out of the boom.

Can Africa solve African problems?

A special report in the Christian Science Monitor takes a look at the prospects for Africa in 2005, noting an increasing trend towards self-reliance throughout the war- and disease-plagued continent. Examining conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, as well as political turmoil in Zimbabwe, the Monitor highlights a rise in the cultural impact of Africa, from the number of films on Africa making their way to the West to a rise in Internet usage across the continent. The Christian Science Monitor (1/4)

UN experts urge India to step up investments in health, education

India must expand its health and education investments to help meet a global goal of cutting extreme poverty in half by 2015, said Jeffrey Sachs, the main author of last month's United Nations-sponsored Millennium Project report. "India needs to step up investments to build the infrastructure required to deliver essential health services," Sachs said. The Daily Star (Bangladesh)/Agence France-Presse (2/3)

AFRICA: Millennium development goals could be missed - World Bank

Anti-poverty battle must be bolstered, World Bank, IMF say "Bold and urgent action" is needed to reach the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals for poor countries set in 2000, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund say in a new report. Africa, especially the sub-Saharan region, has fallen far behind in its development and the continent must double its economic growth to 7% over the next decade to meet the poverty reduction goals for 2015, the report states. IRINNews.org (4/13)

Seeds of Hope in Africa

Renewed grass roots movements toward democracy and signs that big investors are turning their eyes toward Africa indicate the long-struggling continent may soon return to "the future it left behind," The Washington Post's Jim Hoagland writes. Drawing inspiration from a recent discussion with Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai and leaders like Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo, Hoagland writes that expectations for Africa are rightfully on the rise. The Washington Post (free registration) (5/12)

Zimbabwe's 'Cleanup' Takes a Vast Human Toll

The demolishing of shanties by the government is evolving into a forced uprooting of the very poorest city dwellers.

Global Playing Field: More Level, but It Still Has Bumps

The world is flat, or at least becoming flatter very quickly, Thomas L. Friedman says in his exciting and very readable account of globalization.

India and China Agree to Resolve Decades of Border Disputes

China and India agreed to resolve a decades-old border dispute and let trade flourish between the countries.

Power shortages threaten India's boom

Although India's economy continues to grow annually at a soaring 7%, experts warn unless the country improves its infrastructure -- particularly its power production -- it risks losing the kind of foreign investment many predict it needs to continue its economic rise. While a 37,000 megawatt project has been approved by the government at a cost of $11.6 billion, many small- and medium-sized businesses in India continue to rely on their own power generators due to unreliable government-provided energy. USA TODAY (6/1)

Maplecroft global map of poverty

To mark Live 8, the G8 summit and contribute to awareness of poverty in the world, Maplecroft launches today its global map of poverty. See Maplecroft maps link below and in SGovNet Libraries.

Poorest nations lead global growth

Developing world outpacing wealthy countries in economic growth: Led by China, India and Russia, a World Bank report released this week said economic growth in the developing world last year occurred at the sharpest rate in three decades, outpacing the world's wealthy countries. The Guardian (London) (4/7)

Does the Future Belong to China?

Newsweek's Fareed Zakaria examines the many dimensions of China's rise to power over the past two and a half decades, calling the phenomenon one of the "great shifts in global power" of our time. From China's rapid economic growth to its foreign policy and relationships with its neighbors, Zakaria offers insight into the challenges and opportunities China poses for the U.S. and other global powers. Newsweek (5/1)

Pollution poisons China's progress

While decades of rapid development fueled by industrial growth has lifted millions of Chinese citizens out of poverty, it has also taken an enormous toll on the environment and public health, USA TODAY reports. The ongoing pollution of rivers, groundwater and air from factories in towns and cities across China has led to an increase in health risks, including a growing number of cancer cases and other life-threatening diseases. USA TODAY (7/5)

Don't Worry About China. Learn From It.

There is a lot of talk about how powerful China has become, but fearing the Chinese is useless and unnecessary.

US will gain most from green aid for poor nations

Poor countries may get green incentives: The World Bank would give developing countries financial incentives to cut their greenhouse gas emissions under a plan thought to have a good chance of winning approval at the G8 meeting, The Independent reports. The Independent (London) (7/7)

Rice Warns China to Make Major Economic Changes

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned China that it must make changes to its economic policies, lest it remain "a problem for the international economy."

Chinese To Develop Sciences, Technology

China announced an ambitious plan Thursday to speed development of science and technology in its industry and military, vowing to double research investment over the next 15 years to increase "overall national strength."

Hong Kong Holding Pattern

If the rich world can't figure out a way to get poor countries involved in free trade, then the global economy will suffer.

Seeing Green in Africa

As G8 leaders seek to lift Africa out of poverty through debt relief and aid, Carolyn O'Hara explores the rapid growth of Chinese and Indian investment throughout the continent as both countries aim to locate and engage "the exploitable markets and exploitable resources" of Africa. While the rise in trade and investment could provide a much-needed boost to African economies, some observers warn that a lack of attention to human rights or good governance could undermine Western efforts to promote democracy and sound economic growth in Africa. FOREIGN POLICY (Washington, D.C.) (free registration) (7/8)

China on the watch for fighting social inequality, new UNDP report says

China's exploding economy has created an enormous wealth gap between the country's urban rich and rural poor, the United Nations Development Programme reported Friday. China has lifted 250 million of its 1.3 billion people out of poverty in the last 25 years, but it needs better policies to help keep the poorest from slipping further behind, the UNDP urges.

India's Poor Left Behind in Push for Growth

India's push to promote economic growth is leaving hundreds of millions of citizens behind, Indian civil rights activist Aruna Roy says in this interview with Der Spiegel. Roy says a system where the upper and middle classes focus on profits, rather than looking after the poor, can have a devastating impact on society as a whole. Der Spiegel (English online version) (4/10)

Building Wealth by the Penny

In Rural India, a Sales Force in Saris Delivers Soap, Social Change

An African Dumping Ground

Without strict, and strictly enforced, international rules on waste disposal, dangerous cargoes will find the course of least resistance, least cost, and least regulation.

Trading Up in China

The better off China is, the better off the rest of the world is.

Carbon Is the Biz

IPS, 4 October 2006 - El Salvador is studying the Kyoto Protocol carefully, not because it has to cut its emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, but because this international agreement opens a way to earn profits and encourages investment for development.

The Next 4 Billion

The Next 4 Billion: Market Size and Business Strategy at the Base of the Pyramid The folder contains this groundbreaking full report, executive summary and selected Sector report chapters.

Indian minister asks for billions to help poor

Indian Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram on Wednesday proposed billions of dollars in spending in an annual budget address to help India's rural economy, particularly impoverished farmers. Among the measures Chidambaram proposed were a 34% increase in education spending, a 22% increase in health care spending and $1.3 billion to build rural infrastructure. India's farming sector employs two-thirds of the population but amounts to only one-fifth of the economy. International Herald Tribune (2/28)

Brazil ‘must lift barriers’ to new infrastructre

Brazil is not investing enough in infrastructure and should make it easier for the private sector to pump money into this sector, the World Bank recommends in a new report. Financial Times (free content) (2/28)

Carlos Slim Becomes World's Richest Man

MEXICO CITY (July 3) - Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim is the world's richest man, worth an estimated $67.8 billion, after overtaking Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates , according to a respected tracker of Mexican financial wealth on Monday.

A Battle Fought in the Factories

To the ire of Chinese steelworkers, the United States is set to impose new tariffs on Chinese steel pipe imports early next year.

China Grabs West’s Smoke-Spewing Factories

In its rush to recreate the industrial revolution that made the West rich, China has absorbed most of the major industries that once made the West dirty.

Conserving a Habitat by Exploiting it

Women in this remote Amazon village can weave fibers from the chambira palm tree branch into almost anything they need - fishing nets, hammocks, purses, skirts, dental floss. WBCSD Article published 1/12/09

Conserving a Habitat by Exploiting it

Women in this remote Amazon village can weave fibers from the chambira palm tree branch into almost anything they need - fishing nets, hammocks, purses, skirts, dental floss. WBCSD Article published 1/12/09

Slump Tilts Priorities of Industry in China