Predicts the World Bank and George Soros

HOW the world economic outlook in the near future? It seems not too encouraging. At least that's what has been described from the World Bank report launched at its headquarters in Washington, DC, on Monday last week. World economic growth in 1998 estimated that only 1.8 percent or one half of the achievements of years ago. Breakdown of this growth was the largest donation came from developing countries, especially Asia. Brazil, Indonesia and Russia are the big three among the 33 countries that contribute to a negative per capita growth. This means quarter of the world's population, on average, poorer than last year. A pretty bleak picture considering last year only one-tenth of world population, who live in 21 countries, the terrible fate like this.

Unfortunately, the main sufferers world economy is more felt by the poor. The monetary crisis that occurred''has shown how not protected the poor in East Asia as a regional economic difficulties, "said Dipak Dasgupta, lead author of the report entitled Global Economic Prospects and the Developing Countries 1998/99: Beyond Financial Crisis almost 200 pages thick .

That's why the World Bank's assistance in recommending special protection for the poor as one of the branches of a dual strategy to overcome the existing economic crisis. Another branch is to restructure the economy, particularly in strengthening the banking sector, through long-term international assistance. Another interesting feature of the World Bank report is terselubungnya criticism of IMF policies in overcoming the crisis, especially in East Asia. High interest rate policy and the elimination of many aid to the poor as a condition to receive IMF loans are considered inappropriate and aggravating circumstances.

Oil Prices Soar, World Economic Growth Threatened

World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that world economic growth will slow this year, mainly due to soaring oil prices. World Bank annual report Global Development Finance 2005 estimates, the world economy in 2005 will drop to 3.1 per cent compared to growth in 2004 which reached 3.8 percent. While the IMF has warned that high oil prices will erode global economic growth by 0.25 to 0.50 percent this year. Both institutions provide growth projections before the joint annual meeting in Washington this month and a week before the IMF publishes its World Economic Outlook the second. In its report, the World Bank said last year developing countries experiencing high growth. Strong economic growth last year was also supported from the expansion of rapid growth that occurred in China, India and Russia. But now developing countries are forced to adjust to because it affected the impact of global imbalances, particularly due to deficits in the United States amounted to U.S. $ 666 billion.

According to the World Bank, developing countries last year's average of 6.6 percent growth, which supported the entry of the flow of funds into the region since the financial crisis late in 1990. Private capital flows (net), including debt and capital (equity), to developing countries last year increased to U.S. $ 301.3 billion. "Recovery influx of funds into an important strengthening of economic fundamentals in many countries in the region," said Francois Bourguignon, Chief Economist of the World Bank. "But what happens to the current global financial recovery can be a threat to economic growth."

Concept for Additional Spending

This concept election is therefore in a shorter time span than usual reached. The election commission has narrowed, but sure, fortunately secured the input of many. Party members, organizations, networks have also joined in this tight schedule - for which we are very grateful.

This concept gee up our views on the issues now and in the future for our prosperity in the broadest sense are important. This concept election is therefore essentially a playback of our priorities for the coming years. It can not be regarded as one of the fullest possible list everything we have to wish for our country and for the rest of the world. From the many good ideas that were-bear, we have only limited selections.

Nancial the potential for additional spending and new policies in the coming years old. Precisely because it is important that there is no misunderstanding about the direction we choose for the Netherlands and its role in the world. That is why a comprehensive vision on the major chal-lenges of our time and our answers.

The U.S. Budget & Tax System

THE HAGUE - The leadership of the Christian Union wants the next government period, the load increases mainly precipitate at the highest incomes.

This is contained in a draft election platform on the website of the party which has been published and Christian Union members this week to respond. Then comes a final draft and the members at an election conference final decision.

One of the measures to the extent income tax is additional to the establishment of a temporary crisis and recovery fee. This is an additional burden on top of the highest tax rate of 52 percent. How high the fee should be temporary, about the Party at this stage no decision.

In May last year, Senator Schuurman Christian Union has a similar crisis fee. That should apply to anyone who earns more than the Prime Minister (about 125,000 euro). The second parliament for the Christian Union rejected the proposal last year off.

Furthermore, the party that the mortgage interest is deducted at a rate equal for everyone. At this time, the amount to deduct the interest income at the highest rate of 52 percent disk. In addition, the CU repaying the mortgage market by the annual deductible amount thirtieth part reduction.

The Christian Union wants the structural deficit of 36 billion in three periods cabinet removal. That means a saving of 12 billion over the next four years. This is precisely the party between CDA and PvdA in.

The Christian Union wants the child various schemes into one kind budget and calls for a tax system for working families.