Global Economy and Development Media Mentions

[On the Trump administration's nomination of David Malpass for president of the World Bank] If you believe there is any meritocratic element to the selection process, there are others who are by most objective metrics more qualified. ... That suggests a political agenda by the Trump administration to put someone in to address a U.S.-policy-driven agenda.

There is vast literature in economics showing how migrants are entrepreneurs at a much higher rate than locals. The act of migrating itself is an act of risk taking, and that’s the kind of profile of an entrepreneur.

"You have to play the long game. It’s fine to add money, but when the commitment is volatile and your funding goes up and down constantly, you can end up creating more harm than good."

"We have been in Central America for a long time. It’s not just money that has made us effective in the region — there is a lot of hard-earned experience, trial and error, and institution building that is slowly reaping results. The worst thing that could happen now is to go back to zero."

"Cutting aid to Central American countries would be a mistake, since U.S. aid dollars fund programs that reduce violence, strengthen the justice system, and encourage investment that make them more attractive places for their citizens."

There is no good outcome [regarding President Trump's trade dispute]...Once the U.S. goes down this path it definitely opens up space for other countries to do the same.

On business as usual, no, the world will not meet its commitments [to the UN Sustainable Development Goals], that seems pretty clear. So, the question is, where can you change business as usual?

We are in danger right now of people giving up on the SDGs, and that is something real, and it needs to be fought against.

"[Yet the PTI has the political capital to make a stand. It enjoys widespread support, credibility among Islamists, and unprecedented backing from the country’s most powerful institution, the army.] This was the time to push back."

If it appears that the U.S. punishes these countries and China does nothing, then no other countries in the future would have the same level of incentive to sever their diplomatic ties with Taiwan.