CIPE Program Officer John Morrell writes an article in the Bangkok Post on fighting corruption in Thailand; CIPE and Riinvest hold two-day advocacy planning workshop; CIPE partner organizes conference on role of civil society in democratizing the economy in Egypt
Zimbabwe – CIPE partner the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) facilitated a one-day strategic planning workshop for the Women Alliance of Business Associations of Zimbabwe (WABAZ) in Nyanga. The strategic planning workshop was led by ZNCC consultant Anne Madzara for representatives from 15 Zimbabwe women’s associations and focused on discussing a previously completed draft strategic plan. The participants provided input and made specific recommendations that will be incorporated into the final document.
Philippines – The Institute for Solidarity in Asia is preparing for its first Public Governance Forum of the year on March 19, 2013. This forum, supported by CIPE, serves as a venue to highlight concrete, strategic, and proven results towards improving public governance and making the nation globally competitive. The forum will also seek to drive more citizens, communities, and institutions towards practicing good governance and emphasizing that nation building is a journey that should be established on collaboration and cooperation.
Kyrgyzstan – The Corporate Governance School (CGS) held its second one-day educational seminar for 17 members of auditing committees on boards of directors in state-run companies. The participants represented key industries and sectors including energy, transportation, and finance.
Afghanistan –The Federation of Afghanistan Craftsmen and Traders conducted a conference, “The Challenges and Problems of Taxpayers.” The conference, which was held as part of a CIPE-supported advocacy project, focused on proposed amendments to simplify the tax code, reducing corruption by lowering tax evasion, and a tax holiday to help spur business.
Iraq – CIPE partner the Kurdistan Information and Strategic Studies Center held an advocacy session for recommendations of the 2012 Kurdistan Business Agenda related to transportation and infrastructure. Officials from the Kurdish Regional Government joined private sector representatives and academics to strengthen the regional economy by addressing issues such as high transport costs, limited information on projects, and the need for more investment.
Bolivia – Fundación Milenio released its weekly economic analysis bulletin, featuring an analysis of the consequences of nationalization in Bolivia. These economic analysis bulletins form part of CIPE’s and Milenio’s efforts to cultivate a more informed citizenship in the area of economic policy. They are available for download in Spanish on Milenio’s website.
Afghanistan – CIPE Afghanistan Senior Program Officer Lailuma Social attended a workshop organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to discuss the launch of a business incubator for small and medium-sized businesses in Afghanistan. The incubator, to be established with assistance from the Indian government, will provide technology and machinery to spur business growth in Afghanistan. CIPE will explore opportunities for graduates of the Tashabos youth entrepreneurship program to be linked to the incubator.
Iraq – CIPE partner the Kurdistan Information and Strategic Studies Center (KISSC) held an advocacy session on the private industrial sector in the Kurdish region of Iraq to improve the environment for business. Participants included regional parliamentarians, government officials, business associations, academics, and civil society who worked toward implementing recommendations of the 2012 Kurdistan Business Agenda (KBA), such as strengthening access to finance.
