Feature of the Month: Global Infrastructure
Infrastructure is one of the most important components for a country to attract and maintain a healthy business environment. Strong infrastructure allows for more effective and efficient business and as a result can spur an economy. The United States experienced this phenomenon immediately following the Second World War by enacting such legislation as the the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956.
These days it is the emerging markets turn to take on infrastructure. Brazil, which is one of the most popular emerging markets, ranks 107th out of 142 countries in quality of infrastructure, according to the World Economic Forum. India fairs a little better with a ranking of 84th, but the government who previously burdened all of infrastructure spending is now looking to attract around $500 billion in investment laid out in its Five-Year Plan. China has understood the importance of infrastructure for some time and has laid out vast infrastructure plans in the past. As these come to fruition, China is sure move up the ladder for quality of infrastructure. Rounding out the BRIC nations is Russia whose infrastructure is largely driven by the oil & gas industry. Ranking 101st in its infrastructure quality, Russia still has many improvements to make which seem to be happening as the government has made a $1 trillion dollar commitment for infrastructure by 2020.
As these countries and many more continue on their path of ascendency, infrastructure will play a major role in the development process. Those countries that can best manage this process going forward will certainly develop a competitive advantage.
Featured Resources
PwC: Gridlines - The opportunity and challenge of India's infrastructure
This edition of the online Gridlines magazine discusses the problems with India's infrastructure as well as past trends and current opportunities. The report contains interviews from Naryana Murthy, chairman of the business consulting corporation Infosys, and past parliament member and author M.J. Akbar.
Category: Energy
Innovation Cities Program: Top 100 World Cities for an Innovation Economy
The Innovation Cities Program's Top 100 World Cities for an Innovation Economy ranks cities all around the globe on their innovation in their businesses and economies. A city's innovation is determined and ranked by a score of three main factors of innovation: cultural assets, human infrastructure, and networked markets. Rankings are available based on cities all around the world, as well as cities in specific regions and emerging markets.
Category: Rankings
Featured Academy
International Monetary Systems
The International Monetary Systems module provides one with information concerning: the history of the International Monetary System; the importance of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, including their basic purposes and functions; what money markets and international money markets are; what international capital markets are and their function in both developing and high-income countries; international security markets; and the basics of the European Monetary System. A case study on Argentina’s recent economic crisis is available.
Category: Institutions and Trade
Key Industry Drivers of Globalization
The Key Industry Drivers of Globalization module offers one a general understanding of issues including: the historical circumstances and the forces that currently drive globalization; the implication of globalization on business in the U.S.; the key drivers for a successful global strategy; and the four basic forces that drive globalization.
Category: Functions
