Tag: Policy Reform
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Govt shifts to growth as IMF programs face scrutiny
Pakistan’s New Economic Focus: Growth over Short-Term IMF Austerity The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has signaled a strategic shift: prioritize economic growth over the conventional IMF-driven austerity measures that have dominated fiscal policy for years. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in recent remarks, argued that IMF programs are often anti-growth, and that the…
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Umno’s Mohamad Hasan Pushes Modernisation Drive: Stop Selling History, Start Selling the Future
Umno Reboot: A Call to Modernise Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has laid out a bold new direction for the party as it gears up for the 16th general election (GE16). In a speech that frames the party’s future rather than its past, Mohamad called on Umno members to embrace modernisation, digital outreach,…
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Unlocking Africa’s Critical Minerals for Broad-based Prosperity and Global Competitiveness
Introduction: The Promise of Africa’s Critical Minerals Across Africa, a suite of critical minerals—cobalt, lithium, rare earths, graphite, nickel, and others—holds the potential to spark broad-based prosperity. These resources are not merely export goods; they are building blocks for energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and digitalization. The challenge is to unlock value locally while ensuring resilience…
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Indonesia’s Excise Simplification Push to Tackle Illicit Tobacco
Indonesia Sets Course for a Simplified Excise System Indonesia is preparing to roll out a new layer of cigarette excise tax in 2026 as part of a broader strategy to reduce illicit tobacco activity and bring illicit producers into the formal economy. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa indicated that the proposal is still under discussion,…
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Wes Streeting Slams Centre-Left for ‘Excuses Culture’ Over Civil Service Blame
Streeting challenges the centre-left’s narrative on reform In a pointed speech that has dominated political commentary, Wes Streeting challenged the centre-left to abandon what he described as an “excuses culture” that places blame on Whitehall, civil service bottlenecks, and external stakeholders for slow policy implementation. Streeting argued that while institutions can present obstacles, politicians must…
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Portugal: PM Pushes Back at ‘Chaos’ Perception in Healthcare, Citing Better Waiting Times
Portugal’s Prime Minister Rejects the Notion of Healthcare Chaos In a pointed briefing in Porto on Monday, Portugal’s Prime Minister challenged the prevailing public perception that the country’s health service, the SNS, is slipping into chaos. He argued that while there is a “perception of chaos,” it does not reflect the reality on the ground,…
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Namibia Builds Inclusive Mining Growth with EMAN Collaboration
Namibia Charts a Path for Inclusive Mining Development In a strategic move to strengthen the nation’s mineral value chain, the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy of Namibia hosted a consultative meeting with the Emerging Mining Association of Namibia (EMAN) on January 7, 2026. The session marked a concerted effort to gather insights from emerging…
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Conservation in the Global South Erases Human Rights: A Comeback Call from Researchers
Overview: A chilling reminder from the field Two decades ago in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park, a farmer, Shikharam Chaudhary, faced brutal interrogations after rangers believed he helped his son hide a stolen rhino horn. The story, cited by researchers, underscores a troubling pattern: conservation efforts in some parts of the Global South have been accompanied…
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Free Education Must Open Doors for Dropouts Too
Introduction: A Turn Toward Inclusive Higher Education When a nation commits to free education, the promise must extend beyond the already engaged student. The real test lies in opening doors for those who left school early and now seek a second chance. Recent statements recognizing the need for inclusive tertiary education reflect a growing understanding…
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FFCCCII Unveils Blueprint to Break Tourism Bottlenecks in the Philippines
Executive summary: A call for sweeping reforms The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) has stepped forward with a comprehensive blueprint aimed at breaking the bottlenecks choking the Philippines’ tourism sector. With international arrival figures lagging behind regional peers, FFCCCII argues that reforms across policy, infrastructure, marketing, and public-private collaboration…