Reports of Henrique Schneider
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The economic cost of lockdowns – a closer look
As some countries endure further lockdowns or contemplate imposing another, it is worth considering the cost such measures have on economies. This report examines two factors – duration and stringency of the lockdowns. One has a far greater impact on the economy than the other, and the question is whether ...
Restarting economies: Benefits of the bottom-up approach
Restarting an economy is much more difficult and complicated than shutting one down. So far, countries that have used a bottom-up approach, where businesses are allowed to decide for themselves how to meet health requirements, are faring better than those trying to micromanage the reopening from the top down. The ...
A Swiss answer to the Covid-19 crisis: Focus on liquidity
Switzerland devised an ingenious way to throw a lifeline to its enterprises during the pandemic-induced crisis. Its “liquidity facility” targets the core segment of the economy, relies on business owners’ sense of responsibility and does not burden the country’s public finances with intolerable debt.
Surprising surge: Productivity during the Covid-19 crisis
Among the developed nations in Europe and North America, productivity growth had been on a steady decline over recent years. The Covid-19 crisis brought a sharp change in that trend, with some countries seeing an increase in productivity by more than 20 percent. It was a surprising result, especially with ...
Scenarios for investment managers’ exploitation of ESG
“ESG” is the new buzzword in finance and investment. The initials stand for “environmental, social and governance” – three criteria deemed necessary for sustainable business. The new focus on such goals, however, has given agents like investment managers leverage over their clients and a new excuse for underperformance. Righting the ...
Relevance beyond the crisis: Economic outlook scenarios
Just a few months ago, most experts predicted robust global economic growth for this year. Now all of that has been thrown out the window, but the new predictions vary greatly. GIS examines the assumptions the experts are making, and sets out optimistic, pessimistic and realistic scenarios so that decision ...
Focus Germany: Taxing climate subsidy, subsidizing climate tax
Germany is struggling to achieve its current environmental goals. A new policy package under consideration now is unlikely to provide a clear path forward. The taxes and subsidies it foresees contradict each other and could ultimately impede technological advancement. The proposal has proven disappointing to climate activists and economic critics ...
Swiss economic success: diversity as capital
Nothing seems to stop the prosperity of the Swiss economy. Its steady growth is seemingly impervious to the political turmoil in the EU, superpower tensions, the vagaries of world trade and even the overly muscular Swiss franc. Switzerland’s highly diverse economy and its unique political system together form an ecosystem ...
