African debt relief has repeatedly appeared in news around the world over the past month. Recently, the debate has come to Canada and the Government has claimed they’re considering it. Here are two reasons why Canada should pursue African debt relief.
Topic:
Debt, International Cooperation, Economic Cooperation, and COVID-19
Florence Banda-Muleya, Mbewe Kalikeka, Zambwe Shingwele, Philip Ngongo, and Shebo Nalishebo
Publication Date:
04-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR)
Abstract:
Zambia’s current legal framework for public debt management is inadequate. The high level of
external debt standing at US$11.2 billion and domestic debt at K80.2 billion due to fast pace of
debt contraction; the resulting heightened risk of debt distress; and the weak implementation of the
2017-2019 Medium Term Debt Strategy (MTDS), raise questions on the adequacy of the laws that
govern public debt management. Now more than ever, with Zambia quickly headed to its first bullet
repayment on its Eurobond debt, the country needs to enhance its legal framework on Public Debt
Management (PDM).
Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:
This article examines public perceptions in Indonesia and Malaysia regarding the China’s Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI). In order to get a comprehensive picture of the subject matter, the article applies three
perspectives, namely International Politics, Economy and Debt Trap, and Public Acceptance. The
attachments of Indonesia (under Joko Widodo administration) and Malaysia (under Najib Razak
administration) are analyzed, mainly by observing the perceptions of the political elites and opinion
polls in these most populous Muslim countries. The findings show that both governments in the two
countries had exhibited high inclination toward the BRI. Interestingly, their public show different
attitudes and many people are against or at least critical of these policies. It therefore suggests that the
pro-BRI policies of the governemnts must be managed with high care in order to balance the different
interrests with the popular interests.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Debt, and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
For people across the United States, student loan debt is a growing portion of the household balance sheet. More than 40 million Americans have outstanding student loan balances. In 2019, the total amount of student debt owed surpassed $1.5 trillion, now the largest source of non-mortgage debt.