Emad Mekay

ECONOMY: World Bank Touts Globalisation’s Anti-Poverty Record

Globalisation and free trade are emerging as antidotes to global poverty and inequality, the World Bank said Wednesday with more than a hint of 'we told you so'.

RIGHTS: World Bank Distances Self from Bolivian Activist’s Arrest

By Emad Mekay

The World Bank is distancing itself from the arrest of a Bolivian shoe factory worker turned civil society hero for his opposition to the privatisation and export of his Andean nation's water resources.

HEALTH: AIDS Groups Unimpressed by World Bank Plans

By Emad Mekay

The World Bank has appointed an AIDS czar and says it is weighing increased financing for efforts to combat the global pandemic but health activists remain to be impressed.

FINANCE: Advocates Press Nigeria’s Case for Debt Relief

By Emad Mekay

Nigeria deserves quick and significant debt relief because its huge oil exports are dwarfed by the demands of the country's external debt and the burdens of developing Africa's most populous nation, say anti-poverty campaigners and the country's officials.

DEVELOPMENT: U.S., World Bank Assailed on Aid Statements

By Emad Mekay

Aid activists are taking to task the United States government for what they say is its wrongheaded and miserly approach to the world's poor.

DEVELOPMENT: Food Anti-Patent Pact Hailed Despite Weaknesses

By Emad Mekay

A new convention that discourages private crop patents will breathe new life into agricultural research in developing countries, where subsistence farming remains the norm, say experts.

FINANCE: IMF Eyes Anti-Terrorist Role

By Emad Mekay

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is signing up for counter-terrorism duty. Critics, however, say the agency should concentrate on fighting poverty.

FINANCE: ‘We’re Still Here’, Africans Remind IMF, World Bank

By Emad Mekay

A group of African finance ministers has appealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to acknowledge their countries' sacrifices and not forsake them as the global economic slowdown hits larger and higher- profile nations.

FINANCE: ‘We’re Still Here’, Africans Remind IMF, World Bank

By Emad Mekay

A group of African finance ministers has appealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to acknowledge their countries' sacrifices and not forsake them as the global economic slowdown hits larger and higher- profile nations.

FINANCE: Ethiopian Debt Relief Seen as High-Priced

By Emad Mekay

Ethiopia's creditors have agreed to write off 1.3 billion dollars of the country's external debt so long as Addis Abba toes the line on economic restructuring laid down by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

DEVELOPMENT: Water Privatisation Foes Highlight Ghana Deal

By Emad Mekay

Plans to open a major water plant to foreign investors in Ghana will block access to clean water and increase poverty in the West African nation, according to critics of the scheme.

TRADE: Health Ministers, Activists Target WTO

By Emad Mekay

Health activists are appealing to drug firms and Western governments going to the Nov. 9-13 World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in Doha, Qatar, to make life-saving but pricey pharmaceuticals affordable for the world's poorest countries.

TRADE: World Bank Touts New Round as Cure-All

By Emad Mekay

The World Bank touted the prospect that governments will launch a new round of global trade talks next month Wednesday, saying such a move would help pull the world economy out of recession.

ECONOMY: World Bank Assailed For Privatisation Drive

By Emad Mekay

A new World Bank drive to foster private firms in developing counties has come under fire from poverty reduction campaigners for failing to address the human and social concerns of marginalised masses, although Bank officials insist their strategy is designed to improve living standards.