All Articles About Economic Development

BSR Insight Article: Entering Responsibly in Risky Markets: A Look at Myanmar

Chris Nolan, Associate Director, Advisory Services Jeremy Prepscius, Vice President, Asia-Pacific

Market entry in high-risk, transitional countries can often be characterized by significant and ongoing political, economic, and legal change and uncertainty, as well as profound opportunities for business. In such environments, business can contribute tangibly to a country's national development. But the stakes are high--for the company and the country. When countries are at their most vulnerable in their development trajectory, changes enacted are tenuous, and trusted, committed external partners--including business--are critical. Though companies are often tempted to rush in for fear of not "getting in at the ground level,"responsible businesses must consider the investment's social, economic, and environmental risks and opportunities even as they look at core business prospects, not as an afterthought. Short-termism is a perfect way to ensure investment booms in such a market spell doom for a country's prospects. Today, no country embodies these risks and opportunities more than Myanmar. The political and economic reforms sweeping the country have dramatically shifted its outlook and much of the world's perspective toward it, creating once unthinkable opportunities for business. While opportunities in sectors ranging from oil and gas to manufacturing, travel and tourism, information and communications technology (ICT), financial services, and agriculture may appear boundless, the risks of investing in this long-isolated nation are substantial, given the continued predominance of the military in politics and the economy, the vastly underdeveloped financial and legal/regulatory institutions, the weak rule of law and lack of an independent judiciary, endemic corruption, and poor human and labor rights records. Read more →

Posted: June 12, 2012 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Economic Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Human Rights

Blog: Quality Development Driven by Green Development

Joshua Lanshe, Intern, Guangzhou, BSR

In the recent China 2030 World Bank report, China looks to shift from relying heavily on fossil fuels and dated management methods to embracing green technologies and innovative solutions in an effort to improve the quality of future growth.  The report indicates that for the next 18 years, China will aim to develop into a more “modern, harmonious, and creative high-tech society.” Fittingly, this phrase also is used in China’s current five-year plan, and perfectly captures the commitment of the country’s government to improve the balance and quality of its growth. Read more →

Posted: March 15, 2012 | Topics: Climate Change, Economic Development, Energy, Environment

BSR Insight Article: CSR in Saudi Arabia: Q&A With BSR Partner Nailah Attar

Cammie Erickson, Manager, Global Partnership Development

With support from a multiyear grant from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, BSR has worked to introduce CSR strategies to companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Through this initiative, we partnered with Nailah Attar, a Saudi Arabian businesswoman and activist, to expand the CSR offerings of her ECO Consulting business, which serves both Saudi and international companies operating in the country. Read more →

Posted: February 10, 2012 | Topics: Economic Development, Governance & Accountability, Human Rights

Blog: Conflict Minerals and Local Development Concerns

Marshall Chase, Associate Director, Advisory Services

Note: This is the second of three blogs highlighting the critical issues that risk getting lost in the rush to implement due diligence on conflict minerals. Our first blog discussed the local impacts of supply chain policies, and the next will explore the connection with global responsible sourcing issues. Read more →

Posted: January 24, 2012 | Topics: Conflict Minerals, Economic Development, Environment, Human Rights, Supply Chain, Women & Sustainability

BSR Insight Article: How Business Can Support Access to Energy

The first report in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) new Access to Energy initiative highlights how business can help expand and transform national energy systems to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to poor countries—a critical development challenge. Read more →

Posted: January 24, 2012 | Topics: Economic Development, Energy