The new millennium catalyzed a shift in the focus of South Asian economies to the service sector. The South Asian countries share many common characteristics - a young population, familiarity with the English language, and an emphasis on quantitative skills at the school level. This report on...

Often described as the cradle of civilization, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region boasts rich cultural assets, and is the historical origin of major religions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This cultural heritage, coupled with the region s rich natural wonders, has made...

"The surge in global commodity prices of the past few years has presented a tremendous development challenge for South Asian countries. The large loss of income from the terms of trade shock has worsened macroeconomic balances, fueled rapid inflation, and hurt growth. Although commodity prices...