Thursday 14 April 2011

World Bank in warning on food prices

The World Bank have warned that rising food prices (up 36% on last year), driven partly by rising fuel costs, are pushing millions of people into food poverty (44 million people since last June). Read the full article here

Scotland's economic recovery threatened by rising costs

Interesting article about how the rising costs of materials and transport are undermining Scotland's economic recovery. The Scottish Chambers of Commerce found that the rising costs are likely to be passed on to consumers. Rising costs threaten Scottish economic recovery

BRICS seeking more world influence

Very interesting development occuring at the moment in China where the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are gathering to discuss increasing their influence in the world economy.

One of the items on the agenda is Russia's entry to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as well as changes to the global financial system. They argue that the current financial crisis illustrates the weakness of the current monetary system with the dollar used as the world's most used currency.

The five countries represent 40% of the world's population and almost a fifth of world growth.

Well worth a read!

BRICS countries meet in China