ANNOUNCEMENT
E-consultation on Migration and Rural development in ACP countries
It is increasingly recognized that migrants constitute an invaluable resource for development in their home countries. For many developing countries, remittances from overseas migrants exceed development aid and foreign direct investment volumes. But how does migration affect African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) rural development?
The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) started discussing this issue during the Brussels Development Briefing on “How does international migration affect ACP rural development?” last 11th December 2008. As a follow up to this event, CTA will coordinate an electronic discussion on “Key challenges on Migration and Rural development for ACP countries”, from mid-November 2009 to February 2010. Key themes such as remittance flows and their contribution to rural development and the role of migrants and Diaspora groups in rural development will be addressed. The discussion will be held in French and English with translation provided by the organisers.
For more information or to register for the e-consultation kindly contact Mrs Leila Rispens-Noel (leila.wimler@gmail.com), coordinator of the e-consultation, or Mrs Isolina Boto (boto@cta.int).
About CTA - Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) was established in 1983 under the Lomé Convention between the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) Group of States and the European Union Member States. Since 2000, it has operated within the framework of the ACP-EC Cotonou Agreement. CTA’s tasks are to develop and provide services that improve access to information for agricultural and rural development, and to strengthen the capacity of ACP countries to produce, acquire, exchange and utilise information in this area. CTA is based in Wageningen, The Netherlands, and has a branch office in Brussels.
Web links:
CTA website: www.cta.int
CTA Brussels weblog: http://brussels.cta.int/
Brussels Development Briefings: http://brusselsbriefings.net/
Discussion électronique sur la migration et le développement rural pour les pays ACP
Il est de plus en plus accepté que les migrants constituent une source inestimable de développement dans leurs pays d'origine. Pour de nombreux pays en développement, les transferts de fonds de migrants installés à l’étranger surpassent l’aide au développement et l’investissement direct étranger. Mais dans quelle manière la migration affecte-t-elle le développement rural des pays ACP (Afrique, Caraïbes, Pacifique)?
Le Centre technique de coopération agricole et rurale (CTA) a commencé à examiner cette question lors du Briefing de Bruxelles sur le développement sur “Comment la migration internationale affecte-t-elle le développement rural ACP?”, tenu le 11 décembre 2008. En tant qu’activité de suivi au briefing, le CTA va coordonner une discussion électronique sur “Les défis clés en matière de migration et développement rural pour les pays ACP”, de mi-novembre 2009 à février 2010. Certains thèmes clés, tels que les transferts des migrants et leur contribution au développement rural et le rôle des migrants et des groupes de diasporas dans le développement rural seront discutés. La discussion se déroulera en français et en anglais, avec la traduction des contributions assurée par les organisateurs.
Pour de plus amples renseignements ou pour s’enregistrer à la consultation, veuillez contacter Mme Leila Rispens-Noel (leila.wimler@gmail.com), coordinatrice de la consultation, ou Mme Isolina Boto (boto@cta.int).
A propos du CTA - Centre technique de coopération agricole et rurale
Le Centre technique de coopération agricole et rurale (CTA) a été créé en 1983 dans le cadre de la Convention de Lomé entre les États du groupe ACP (Afrique, Caraïbes, Pacifique) et les pays membres de l'Union européenne. Depuis 2000, le CTA exerce ses activités dans le cadre de l'Accord de Cotonou ACP-CE. Le CTA a pour mission de développer et de fournir des services qui améliorent l'accès des pays ACP à l'information pour le développement agricole et rural, et de renforcer les capacités de ces pays à produire, acquérir, échanger et exploiter l'information dans ce domaine. Le CTA a son siège à Wageningen, Pays-Bas, et dispose également d’une antenne à Bruxelles.
Liens :
Site web du CTA: www.cta.int/fr/
Weblog du bureau CTA de Bruxelles: http://bruxelles.cta.int/
Briefings sur le développement à Bruxelles: http://bruxellesbriefings.net/
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Sunday, 22 November 2009
MÉXICO - Hard Times for Remittances
The amount of money sent by migrants from the U.S. will fall 13.4% this year
In 2009, according to BBVA Bancomer, remittances sent by Mexicans residing in the U.S. will fall 13%. Between Jan. and Sept. of this year, according to figures from Banco de Mexico, which the financial institution cites, the money sent from this migrant sector will add up to $16,438 million, representing a 13.4% drop compared with the same period in 2008. For 2010, according to the bank, remittances will see a quick rebound growing between 1 and 5%. Source
In 2009, according to BBVA Bancomer, remittances sent by Mexicans residing in the U.S. will fall 13%. Between Jan. and Sept. of this year, according to figures from Banco de Mexico, which the financial institution cites, the money sent from this migrant sector will add up to $16,438 million, representing a 13.4% drop compared with the same period in 2008. For 2010, according to the bank, remittances will see a quick rebound growing between 1 and 5%. Source
Global remittance flows likely to slip 6.1% as labour migration slows
Dubai: Global remittance flows could decline by 6.1 per cent this year to $317 billion from last year's record flow of $338 billion, said a top World Bank remittance expert.
"The year 2008 held off so well that despite a decline in private capital flows, global remittances reached their peak," Dilip Ratha, Lead Economist and Manager for Migration and Remittance of World Bank's Development Prospects Group, told Gulf News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Summit that concludes on Sunday.
"The true size of flows, including unrecorded flows through formal and informal channels, is even higher.
"The crisis has impacted new migration flows, but existing migrants are not returning; global migration stock is still rising. Remittances are estimated to have declined by only 6.1 per cent in 2009, but a shallower recovery is expected during 2010-11. Read more
"The year 2008 held off so well that despite a decline in private capital flows, global remittances reached their peak," Dilip Ratha, Lead Economist and Manager for Migration and Remittance of World Bank's Development Prospects Group, told Gulf News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Summit that concludes on Sunday.
"The true size of flows, including unrecorded flows through formal and informal channels, is even higher.
"The crisis has impacted new migration flows, but existing migrants are not returning; global migration stock is still rising. Remittances are estimated to have declined by only 6.1 per cent in 2009, but a shallower recovery is expected during 2010-11. Read more
Friday, 13 November 2009
Transactions of Long Awaited Mobile Money Rise in Europe, Says Frost & Sullivan
LONDON, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Both mobile operators and banks are turning to mobile transactions to foster loyalty and drive revenues. Ranging from vouchers and bank balance checks to remittance and top-up payments, mobile money is finally coming to fruition in both the banked and unbanked sector, while near field communication (NFC) promises to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.wireless.frost.com), Money in Mobile -- European Transactions, estimates the mobile money market in Western Europe to grow to 4 to 5 billion Euros by 2013. The research examines both the banked and unbanked sectors and segments mobile money into four areas, namely: non-NFC based m-payments, mobile banking, remittance, and NFC based m-payments.
"Solutions targeting the developed world require a long-term strategy, even as providers will need to find a viable solution for retail payments (B2C)," notes Frost & Sullivan Principal Analyst Sharifah Amirah. "NFC is potentially a solution, but hardware costs and mass market availability still remain key challenges for its widespread adoption. In the mean time, SMS-based services will drive growth."
Read more
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.wireless.frost.com), Money in Mobile -- European Transactions, estimates the mobile money market in Western Europe to grow to 4 to 5 billion Euros by 2013. The research examines both the banked and unbanked sectors and segments mobile money into four areas, namely: non-NFC based m-payments, mobile banking, remittance, and NFC based m-payments.
"Solutions targeting the developed world require a long-term strategy, even as providers will need to find a viable solution for retail payments (B2C)," notes Frost & Sullivan Principal Analyst Sharifah Amirah. "NFC is potentially a solution, but hardware costs and mass market availability still remain key challenges for its widespread adoption. In the mean time, SMS-based services will drive growth."
Read more
Thursday, 12 November 2009
PHILIPPINES: BDO waives remittance fee for flood donations
Diaspora Journey: A concerted effort of banks and money transfer operators in time of calamities.
MANILA, Philippines - BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s top remittance bank, has waived its remittance service fees on donations sent to institutions participating in relief efforts for victims of tropical storm Ondoy.
The bank, through its remittance offices in Hong Kong, Macau, USA, Italy and Germany, said there are no service fees charged on cash donations sent to BDO Foundation and ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s Sagip-Kapamilya.
A number of remittance partners of BDO all over the world have also given their commitment on this effort. In Asia, for instance, those participating are BTI Pesos Express in Singapore, Afima Express in Brunei, EEC International Phil Corp. in Taiwan and Forex World Australia Pty., Ltd. In the US and Canada, BDO’s remittance partners Chartered Forex, E-Pera Corp., Mercury Quick, New York Bay and Continental Exchange are also helping by waiving the remittance fees for the said institutions. The same goes for CBN Grupo, Global Express Money Remittance and Safe Transfer Ltd in Europe and BDO’s remittance partners in the Middle East - Leela Megh Exchange, Al Ansari Exchange and Al Ghurair Exchange. BDO has also arranged with its global money transfer company partner Xoom Corp. to waive the service fee for all remittances credited to the Philippine Red Cross account.
A day after Ondoy hit Metro Manila and some parts of Luzon, the bank started receiving queries from OFWs and Filipinos residing abroad on how they can send donations to those affected and make sure that their contribution will reach the recipients.
With the cancellation of the remittance service fees, concerned Filipinos abroad will be encouraged to send monetary help to victims of the typhoon.
PHILIPPINES: Match remittances, government urged
Economy
Written by Dennis D. Estopace / Reporter
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 21:17
THE government should match the money sent by Filipinos overseas to boost the country’s ability to survive a crisis, former Social Security System chief Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo said.
“The steady growth of OFW [overseas Filipino worker] remittances should be complemented by a public investment program that is hinged on improving a major infrastructure base such as road and even mass-transport systems,” said de la Paz-Bernardo, currently president of the International Social Security Association (Issa). She spoke during a forum on government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) on Wednesday.
She cited her experience as SSS for seven years on how state-owned enterprises could wield institutional leverage in view of the collapse of the global financial system.
“With financial markets continuing to unravel close to two years since the recession, the domestic economy has become heavily reliant on remittances,” she said. Read more
Written by Dennis D. Estopace / Reporter
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 21:17
THE government should match the money sent by Filipinos overseas to boost the country’s ability to survive a crisis, former Social Security System chief Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo said.
“The steady growth of OFW [overseas Filipino worker] remittances should be complemented by a public investment program that is hinged on improving a major infrastructure base such as road and even mass-transport systems,” said de la Paz-Bernardo, currently president of the International Social Security Association (Issa). She spoke during a forum on government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) on Wednesday.
She cited her experience as SSS for seven years on how state-owned enterprises could wield institutional leverage in view of the collapse of the global financial system.
“With financial markets continuing to unravel close to two years since the recession, the domestic economy has become heavily reliant on remittances,” she said. Read more
Dhaka 8th largest remittance earner in developing world
A Z M Anas
Bangladesh became the eighth largest remittance earner in the developing world last year as it showed resilience in the face of stinging global recession, according to the latest World Bank data.
The Development Prospect Group of the bank, in a revised estimate, said that the country's remittance flow amounted to US$9.0 billion in 2008, catapulting it into the league of top 10 recipients as Bangladesh edged out Egypt and Vietnam. Read more
Bangladesh became the eighth largest remittance earner in the developing world last year as it showed resilience in the face of stinging global recession, according to the latest World Bank data.
The Development Prospect Group of the bank, in a revised estimate, said that the country's remittance flow amounted to US$9.0 billion in 2008, catapulting it into the league of top 10 recipients as Bangladesh edged out Egypt and Vietnam. Read more
Pakistan’s October Remittances From Overseas Workers Rose 63%
By Farhan Sharif
Nov. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Remittances from Pakistanis living overseas rose to $758.3 million in October as workers sent more money home from the United Arab Emirates, United States and Saudi Arabia.
Transfers of funds rose by $292.2 million, or 63 percent, in the fourth month of the fiscal year that began July 1, the Karachi-based State Bank of Pakistan said today in an e-mailed statement. Remittances in the four month period ended Oct. 31 rose 32 percent to $3.1 billion.
Workers in the Emirates transferred $175.2 million, up from $75.9 million a year earlier. Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia sent home $142.9 million, up from $96.8 million, and Pakistanis in the U.S. transferred $154.3 million, compared with $127.3 million. Read more
Nov. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Remittances from Pakistanis living overseas rose to $758.3 million in October as workers sent more money home from the United Arab Emirates, United States and Saudi Arabia.
Transfers of funds rose by $292.2 million, or 63 percent, in the fourth month of the fiscal year that began July 1, the Karachi-based State Bank of Pakistan said today in an e-mailed statement. Remittances in the four month period ended Oct. 31 rose 32 percent to $3.1 billion.
Workers in the Emirates transferred $175.2 million, up from $75.9 million a year earlier. Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia sent home $142.9 million, up from $96.8 million, and Pakistanis in the U.S. transferred $154.3 million, compared with $127.3 million. Read more
El Salvador remittances fall 10 pct in Jan-Oct
SAN SALVADOR, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Remittances by Salvadoran migrant workers to relatives back home fell 10 percent in the first 10 months of this year compared to the same period a year ago, the central bank said on Tuesday.
Migrants sent home $2.8 billion from January to October, the bank said. The decline comes amid the U.S. recession.
Remittances from 2.5 million Salvadoran workers in the United States are the main source of foreign exchange inflows to the impoverished Central American country. (Reporting by Guillermo Mejia) Source
Migrants sent home $2.8 billion from January to October, the bank said. The decline comes amid the U.S. recession.
Remittances from 2.5 million Salvadoran workers in the United States are the main source of foreign exchange inflows to the impoverished Central American country. (Reporting by Guillermo Mejia) Source
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
PHILIPPINES: Remittance through Philpost in early 2010
EARLY next year, most overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can send their remittances to their families in the country in seconds, and with cheaper rate compared with other remittance centers.
This will be made possible by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., (Pagcor) donation of at least P20 million to the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) for the improvement of the latter’s information-technology infrastructure.
Postmaster General Hector Villanueva said in an interview that PhilPost will use the money to buy computers to develop its remittance service to at least 100 post offices nationwide, including cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga, among others.
“We handle 1 million letters a day. Many of the letters contain small denominations of foreign currency. [Through the Pagcor donation] we will purchase P20 million worth of hardware, accessories and software to computerize 100 post offices in major provincial cities in and outside the metropolis,” Villanueva said at the sidelines of PhilPost’s 111th
anniversary celebration at Manila Central Post Office. Read more
This will be made possible by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., (Pagcor) donation of at least P20 million to the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) for the improvement of the latter’s information-technology infrastructure.
Postmaster General Hector Villanueva said in an interview that PhilPost will use the money to buy computers to develop its remittance service to at least 100 post offices nationwide, including cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga, among others.
“We handle 1 million letters a day. Many of the letters contain small denominations of foreign currency. [Through the Pagcor donation] we will purchase P20 million worth of hardware, accessories and software to computerize 100 post offices in major provincial cities in and outside the metropolis,” Villanueva said at the sidelines of PhilPost’s 111th
anniversary celebration at Manila Central Post Office. Read more
Nigeria: World Bank - Citizens Remit $10 Billion Home
Lagos — With an estimated $10 billion inflow of foreign exchange from its citizens abroad this year, Nigeria yesterday emerged the sixth highest destination of remittances from citizens of developing nations in the Diaspora.
The World Bank, which gave the figure in its Migration and Development Brief released at the weekend said in the updated remittance flow table, India, China and Mexico retained the top three positions among developing countries and attracted funds up to $52 billion, $49 billion and $26 billion respectively. Read more
The World Bank, which gave the figure in its Migration and Development Brief released at the weekend said in the updated remittance flow table, India, China and Mexico retained the top three positions among developing countries and attracted funds up to $52 billion, $49 billion and $26 billion respectively. Read more
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Better protection of migrants’ rights—UN chief
MANILA, Philippines—In an era where people are crossing borders in greater numbers seeking better opportunities, it is more vital than ever that states safeguard the rights of migrants, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told a high-level gathering in Athens Wednesday.
“Let us never forget than in the end, policies and laws are really about people and values,” he said in his remarks to the opening of the third Global Forum on Migration and Development which were e-mailed to media outfits by the UN office in Manila.
The Secretary General noted that the number of international migrants today is greater than at anytime in history, with 214 million people living outside their country of birth. Read more
“Let us never forget than in the end, policies and laws are really about people and values,” he said in his remarks to the opening of the third Global Forum on Migration and Development which were e-mailed to media outfits by the UN office in Manila.
The Secretary General noted that the number of international migrants today is greater than at anytime in history, with 214 million people living outside their country of birth. Read more
Friday, 6 November 2009
700 Million Worldwide Desire to Migrate Permanently
November 2, 2009
700 Million Worldwide Desire to Migrate Permanently
U.S. tops desired destination countries
by Neli Esipova and Julie Ray
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Every day, migrants leave their homelands behind for new lives in other countries. Reflecting this desire, rather than the reality of the numbers that actually migrate, Gallup finds about 16% of the world's adults would like to move to another country permanently if they had the chance. This translates to roughly 700 million worldwide -- more than the entire adult population of North and South America combined. Read more
700 Million Worldwide Desire to Migrate Permanently
U.S. tops desired destination countries
by Neli Esipova and Julie Ray
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Every day, migrants leave their homelands behind for new lives in other countries. Reflecting this desire, rather than the reality of the numbers that actually migrate, Gallup finds about 16% of the world's adults would like to move to another country permanently if they had the chance. This translates to roughly 700 million worldwide -- more than the entire adult population of North and South America combined. Read more
PAKISTAN: Remittances to Pakistan from Kingdom soaring
06 November 2009
JEDDAH: Overseas workers' remittances to Pakistan in September this year jumped to $806.12 million, a 22 percent increase over the same month in 2008. This took the third quarter (July-September 2009) figures to $2.33 billion, due to the launch of Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI), said a top executive of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP).
Remittances from Saudi Arabia also made an impressive record. Pakistani nationals living in the Kingdom sent $430.75 million in the third quarter, an increase of $32.73 million or 8.22 percent over the same period in 2008.
"This is the direct result of the launch of PRI and other measures taken by the government of Pakistan," senior executive vice president of NBP Khalid bin Shaheen, told Arab News on Wednesday.
PRI is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry for Overseas Pakistanis and State Bank of Pakistan, which is the country's central bank. Launched in August this year, it aims to double the flow of remittances within three years. "We are aiming to take remittances up to $13-14 billion by 2011," said Shaheen, who is currently touring Saudi Arabia as a representative of PRI, of which his bank is a member. His itinerary includes meeting top executives of Saudi banks. He arrived after visiting Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Read more
JEDDAH: Overseas workers' remittances to Pakistan in September this year jumped to $806.12 million, a 22 percent increase over the same month in 2008. This took the third quarter (July-September 2009) figures to $2.33 billion, due to the launch of Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI), said a top executive of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP).
Remittances from Saudi Arabia also made an impressive record. Pakistani nationals living in the Kingdom sent $430.75 million in the third quarter, an increase of $32.73 million or 8.22 percent over the same period in 2008.
"This is the direct result of the launch of PRI and other measures taken by the government of Pakistan," senior executive vice president of NBP Khalid bin Shaheen, told Arab News on Wednesday.
PRI is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry for Overseas Pakistanis and State Bank of Pakistan, which is the country's central bank. Launched in August this year, it aims to double the flow of remittances within three years. "We are aiming to take remittances up to $13-14 billion by 2011," said Shaheen, who is currently touring Saudi Arabia as a representative of PRI, of which his bank is a member. His itinerary includes meeting top executives of Saudi banks. He arrived after visiting Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Read more
BANGLADESH: Remittance on growth path
Reduced migrant outflow notwithstanding
IN spite of being arrayed against adversities, remittance flows into the country have been on the growth path. It is the rate of increase that has been subject to fluctuations but not growth as such. On top of this, we now have a definitively positive piece of news in that the WB's projections of a reduced remittance growth for the current fiscal are already being assailed if the figure for the first four months of the current fiscal is any guide. The growth of inflow stood at 21.23 percent during July to October and there is cautious optimism about outlook for economic recovery in the host countries possibly brightening up in the remainder of the year.
The figures speak for themselves as Bangladesh recorded remittance inflow of $3.61billion between July and October, 2009 compared with $2.98 billion in the same period last year. The forex reserve has crossed $9 billion in August compared with $7.74 billion in July. Read more
IN spite of being arrayed against adversities, remittance flows into the country have been on the growth path. It is the rate of increase that has been subject to fluctuations but not growth as such. On top of this, we now have a definitively positive piece of news in that the WB's projections of a reduced remittance growth for the current fiscal are already being assailed if the figure for the first four months of the current fiscal is any guide. The growth of inflow stood at 21.23 percent during July to October and there is cautious optimism about outlook for economic recovery in the host countries possibly brightening up in the remainder of the year.
The figures speak for themselves as Bangladesh recorded remittance inflow of $3.61billion between July and October, 2009 compared with $2.98 billion in the same period last year. The forex reserve has crossed $9 billion in August compared with $7.74 billion in July. Read more
INDIA: MasterCard eyes $50 bn inward remittance market
MUMBAI: Mastercard is scouting for new opportunities in India. The payments company is eyeing the $50-billion inward remittance market and is
also registering its presence in mobile banking.
Some banks have joined hands with MasterCard for an inward-remittance product which will allow a worker based in say the UAE to send money to India using his MasterCard. The money transferred will be credited to a MasterCard account in India, which can be either a debit or a credit card account. “In this case, customers on both sides have bank accounts. The transactions can be done on a real time basis and we can provide the service at a much cheaper cost. Also checks and controls can be maintained,” points Joshua L Peirez, group executive, innovative platforms Masstercard. Read more
also registering its presence in mobile banking.
Some banks have joined hands with MasterCard for an inward-remittance product which will allow a worker based in say the UAE to send money to India using his MasterCard. The money transferred will be credited to a MasterCard account in India, which can be either a debit or a credit card account. “In this case, customers on both sides have bank accounts. The transactions can be done on a real time basis and we can provide the service at a much cheaper cost. Also checks and controls can be maintained,” points Joshua L Peirez, group executive, innovative platforms Masstercard. Read more
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)