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THE WORLD ECONOMY HAS endured a period of financial turmoil and slowing growth since mid-2007. As these events have unfolded, financing conditions facing developing countries have shifted from the benign environment of 2002–06 to the current state of heightened market volatility and tight credit conditions. With these tensions setting the stage, 2008 is shaping up to be a challenging year for development finance.

This is a time of extraordinary change: technology is transforming interpersonal and business communication, including marketing and advertising to consumers. Products are evolving as a result of innovation. Even the way consumers are paying for goods and services is being revolutionized, as electronic payment systems serve up new and inventive ways to exchange money. Indeed, some things that we have begun to take for granted existed, not very long ago, only in the realm of science fiction.

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY
Immigrant entrepreneurs have emerged as key engines of growth for cities from New York to Los Angeles—and with a little planning and support, they could provide an even bigger economic boost in the future

The Small Business Forum’s report ‘Small Business is Big Business’ presents an analysis of the small business sector and the evolving environment in which it operates. The report identifies a number of important recommendations along with an implementation mechanism, which will allow this sector to continue to flourish and grow.

It is less than two years since KPMG China published its first study of the luxury market, but in that short time things have advanced dramatically. Where luxury brands were once focused on establishing highly visible (but often barely profitable) flagship stores in Beijing and Shanghai, many are now reaping the financial benefits of their brand-building strategies and taking their ambitious expansion plans to China’s other major cities.

Patient Capital provides an overview about the pivotal role venture capital and venture backed companies play in the development of novel medical innovation. The publication provides an overview of key medical innovations that can be traced back to venture capital funding and real life examples of how venture capital investment has resulted in better technology and saving/improving lives.

This report details the state of the venture capital industry and detailed industry statistics for the past twenty years, including commitments, disbursements, IPOs, acquisitions and performance.