House prices have been moving up strongly in real terms since the mid-1990s in the majority of OECD countries, with the ongoing upswing the longest of its kind in the OECD area since the 1970s. If interest rates were to rise significantly, real house prices may be at risk of nearing a peak. The...

This policy brief investigates the likelihood of corporate insolvency and the potential implications of debt overhang of non-financial corporations associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Based on simple accounting exercises, it evaluates the extent to which firms may deplete their...

This Test Guideline lists methods for determining the density of liquids and solids, giving only a very succinct description of them. The density of a substance is the quotient of its mass and its volume and is expressed in kg/m3. Several methods are for liquid substance only: hydrometer,...

This Test Guideline describes methods to measure the viscosity of liquids. The methods listed are appropriate in principle for the investigation of Newtonian liquids. The measurement of non-Newtonian liquids is only possible with the rotational viscometer. Viscosity measurements are carried out...

As Asian markets are now increasingly integrated in the world economy their domestic insolvency systems need to meet the expectations of international investors and lenders. Many Asian jurisdictions are responding by reforming insolvency laws, introducing new procedures and strengthening...

The 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis exposed serious deficiencies in the insolvency systems of many countries. In response, many governments have undertaken sweeping reforms to strengthen their insolvency systems and rebuild their economies, including promulgating new laws, introducing new...