For decades, the promise of microfinance has captured the imagination of development economists, policymakers, and practitioners alike. Yet while microfinance institutions (MFIs) have expanded access to credit for millions, questions persist about how to make their outreach both broader and deeper—especially in diverse and underserved communities. Increasingly, the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) system is […]
When Environment Canada introduced the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) framework in May 2018, it signaled a major shift in the way oil and gas companies would be expected to account for and report their supply-chain emissions. Designed to drive reductions in the carbon intensity of fuels used across Canada, the CFS placed new obligations on […]
In 2016, India’s growing industrial base leaned heavily on electric motors—key components powering everything from manufacturing lines to consumer appliances. Understanding the flow of these imports, especially in the context of evolving tariff policies, became essential for policymakers seeking to balance domestic industry support with supply chain efficiency. ISIC 2710, the classification for manufacture of […]
Vietnam’s June 2018 supplementary decree, designed to bolster enforcement of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), marked a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to assure international markets of the legality of its timber exports. For logging companies and wood product exporters, the decree introduced new obligations that required greater transparency in sourcing and more […]
The May 2017 repeal of the United States’ Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (MCOOL) requirements, following years of dispute at the World Trade Organization, triggered a wave of supply chain adjustments across the meat and produce sectors. By 2018, suppliers and processors were grappling with the operational consequences of this regulatory shift. The repeal removed federal obligations […]
With the impending full implementation of Canada’s Cannabis Act in October 2018, agricultural supply chains in the cannabis sector faced significant operational and compliance challenges. The legislation introduced a national framework that required end-to-end traceability, encompassing cultivation, processing, distribution, and retail sale. Licensed producers were among the first to feel the weight of these new […]
By 2018, as the Czech Republic moved ahead with its pilot program to help domestic firms comply with the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, the policy landscape for electronics supply chains in Central Europe had become noticeably more intricate. While the EU regulation itself, adopted in 2017, aimed at curbing the financing of armed groups via […]
Automation’s rise in manufacturing has been a defining story of the past decade, promising increased efficiency, precision, and competitive advantage. But beneath the headlines about robots replacing workers lies a more nuanced reality—one of gradual adoption, varied applications, and complex supply chains. To understand how robotics and related automation equipment progressed in 2016, analysts turn […]
The intersection of pharmaceutical supply chains and financial institution oversight took on a new dimension in 2018, as banks and other lenders began adjusting their due diligence frameworks to account for regulatory shifts in the drug industry. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Final Rule under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, known […]
By 2018, the conversation around modern slavery in Canadian supply chains had regained momentum, even though Bill C-383—the proposed Modern Slavery Act introduced as a private member’s bill in 2016—had failed to pass. That legislative defeat did not put the issue to rest. If anything, it created space for new coalitions of lawmakers, industry groups, […]
The rise of offshore software services in South Asia has been a quiet revolution, transforming economies, employment, and global IT landscapes. By 2015, this sector was firmly established as a key engine of growth for countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, yet measuring its true size and trajectory required more than surface-level indicators. Analysts […]
When the European Union adopted the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) in May 2017, it set in motion one of the most significant overhauls of medical device oversight in decades. By 2018, attention had turned from the text of the regulation to its implementation. That year saw the emergence of early pilot projects across Europe, as […]
The International Trade Council acknowledges the European Union’s (EU) intended course of action to challenge the newly imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO). President Donald Trump’s decision to implement tariffs on these vital industries has generated a significant degree of uncertainty, particularly within […]
The International Trade Council raises concerns over the brewing tariff dispute between China and the United States, warning that such a trade standoff could pose significant risks to the ongoing global economic growth. According to recent data, global trade has expanded at its most rapid pace in six years in 2017. The future outlook […]
When the Build Act was signed into law in March 2018, it marked a fundamental shift in how the United States approached development finance, particularly in relation to global supply chain infrastructure. By consolidating and expanding the capabilities of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) into the […]
The European Union’s Plastics Strategy, announced in January 2018, marked a turning point in efforts to reduce environmental harm from plastics while promoting circular economy principles. At its core, the strategy called for systemic changes in the production, use, and disposal of plastic materials. One of its most significant implications for industry was the increased […]