8 must-read economics stories of the week

Welcome to your weekly update – a curated list of some of this week’s most interesting stories on economic growth and social inclusion.

1. Facts and figures. In the UK so-called ‘High-Growth Small Businesses’ highlight how entrepreneurship can drive both economic growth and social inclusion through job creation. What are the public policies to enable start-ups to scale-up and join this group of firms? (Forbes)

2. How can technology contribute to poverty reduction and development? “Analog foundations” of the digital revolution and drivers of both economic growth and social inclusion are key: competitiveness, education, institutions. (The Wall Street Journal)

3. The World Bank just released the Doing Business 2016 report. How easy is it to start and run a company in your country? (The World Bank)

4. In the first six months of 2015, Chinese investments in Africa fell by 84%. The slowdown in Chinese economic growth threatens progress in Africa. (The Conversation)

5. Is Italy on a growth path? (Bruegel)

6. Wealth redistribution can be good for growth, writes Jonathan D. Ostry. (World Economic Forum)

7. What’s the role of the private sector in the migration and refugee debate? (Project Syndicate)

8. In its attempt to move to more inward-focusing growth fuelled by domestic demand, the services sector and innovation, China abandoned its one-child policy. (Financial Times)

Author: Jennifer Blanke is Chief Economist at the World Economic Forum

Image: General view of Belgian-French financial services group Dexia building (C) and Prisma tower (R) in the business district of La Defense, near Paris, August 7, 2012. REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen