United Nations : FDI flows to plunge by 40% in 2020. (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows are forecast to fall by up to 40 per cent in 2020, bringing their value to below $1 trillion for the first time since 2005, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has said.

Trade : South concerned over plans to accelerate talks on fisheries subsidies (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Developing countries remain concerned over the sudden announcement by the Chair of the Doha Rules negotiations to finalize a proposed agreement on fisheries subsidies by the end of the year.

Trade : Ottawa Group proposes focusing action on COVID-19 (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The trade ministers of the Ottawa Group on WTO reform said on 15 June that the Covid-19 pandemic provides an opportunity for the group to "provide leadership, critical thinking and analysis, as well as ideas and proposals on potential actions that the broader WTO membership could take".

COVID-19 : Reviving the economy, creating the "new normal" (PRIV)
(IPS, Sydney/Kuala Lumpur)
Sydney/Kuala Lumpur, 16 Jun (IPS/Anis Chowdhury and Jomo Kwame Sundaram*) -- The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted most economies in the world. Its full impacts will not be felt, let alone measured, until it runs its course.