EXPLORING FAIR TRADE TIMBER: A REVIEW OF ISSUES IN CURRENT PRACTICE, INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE, AND WAYS FORWARD. By Duncan Macqueen, Annie Dufey, and Bindi Patel. The International Institute for Environment and Development, 2006. In this book, the authors explore current practices and institutional structures relating to fair trade in timber, exploring options for making progress towards fair trade timber. The authors encourage forest certification schemes that give more consideration to producer support mechanisms in order to increase access to certified markets and to look for new product lines and market chains that give special attention to responsible forest management. Download the book at http://www.iied.org/pubs/pdf/full/13530IIED.pdf
ASIAN FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN AFRICA: TOWARDS A NEW ERA OF COOPERATION AMONG DEVELOPING COUNTIRES. UN Conference on Trade and Development and UN Development Programme, 2007. This report explores economic cooperation between developing countries in Asia and Africa and the promising potential of increasing Asian investment in Africa. To capitalize on increasing Asian interest, the report urges African countries to enhance and diversify productive capacities. The volume also assesses the experiences of some African economies and how they could best attract FDI from Asia. Download the report at http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/iteiia20071_en.pdf.
BEYOND MICROFINANCE: GETTING CAPITAL TO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES TO FUEL FASTER DEVELOPMENT. By David de Ferranti and Anthony J. Ody. The Brookings Institution, March 2007. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of modern economies and, through innovation, are vital engines for development. In the developing world, however, SMEs are often stifled by distorted regulatory environments and limited access to inputs and capital. This policy brief discusses new options for meeting SMEs’ financial needs and how governments can reform regulatory environments to foster SME development. Access the brief online at http://www.brookings.edu/comm/policybriefs/pb159.htm.