Economic geography

Mainly driven by the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, global foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2020 slipped by 42% year-on-year to $859 billion, according to the UN's trade and development body.

Ljubljana – The Economy Ministry has a list of 20 potential investors, foreign and domestic, who are considering investing in the country. They are planning ten major and just as many smaller investments. The ministry believes the pandemic could be an opportunity for Slovenia given its developed infrastructure and skilled labour.

The 21st century's second decade was marked by numerous disputes concerning previous achievements. After the dramatic reduction of world poverty, the development of movement in several sectors and the rapid evolution of technology, the post-Cold War model began to decline. The recent globalization indicators are already showing a downward trend.

Ljubljana – Atlantic Droga Kolinska, Belinka Perkemija, TKK and iSystem Labs were honoured on Wednesday as best foreign investors for their excellent business performance and contribution to the development of the Slovenian economy. The awards are given out annually by the SPIRIT investment promotion agency and the economy ministry.

The pandemic could push as many as 32 million people in the world's least developed countries into extreme poverty, a new UN report has said. Without international action, global development goals will be missed.

The European Council on Monday adopted a decision on the conclusion of the agreement between the European Union and China on cooperation on and protection of geographical indications (GIs) of 100 products from each side.

The list of 100 EU products includes Greece's feta cheese, Samos wines, Lasithi olive oil, Kalamata olives and Chios masticha, as well as Cyprus' zivania brandy.

It has tracked our globalizing world, following trade and tourist routes, leaving only distant and disconnected places untouched.

Technological progress has helped it travel faster. Instead of months or years, as pandemics used to take in the 14th century, it now takes only weeks to spread from one corner of the planet to another.

Turkey's share in global foreign direct investments (FDI) can double in the long term with the help of its geographical location, young population and economic dynamics, the head of Turkey's Investment Office said on Jan. 29.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has downgraded its growth forecasts for 2019-2021, primarily reflecting negative surprises to economic activity in a few emerging markets.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the fund expected global economy to grow 2.9 percent in 2019, 3.3 percent in 2020, and 3.4 percent in 2021

A World Bank report released late on Jan. 8 projected the Turkish economy would grow 3 percent in 2020 and 4 percent in 2021, rebounding from earlier financial turmoil at a faster pace than expected as domestic demand improves.

The bank revised its previous forecast that Turkey would contract 1 percent in June 2019 to 0 percent in its latest Global Economic Prospects report.