By: Richard Miles
 Latin America has had a love-hate relationship with foreign investment. China is the latest suitor to test the region’s readiness to join the global economy. Stephen Kaplan, professor of international affairs and political science at George Washington University, dissects China’s role in the region, as well as the prospects for Venezuela to eventually rebuild its economy.

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With experts on economic policy and finance, business and trade, development, energy, and technology, CSIS offers a 360-degree perspective on economic trends in an interconnected world. Our research and programs examine the role of economics as an influence on foreign policy and the use of diplomacy as a means to improve economic outcomes. CSIS’s work in this realm is spearheaded by:

	Economics Program 
	Scholl Chair in International Business&nbsp;

Find the latest research from our scholars and CSIS events on this topic below.

In this episode, the Trade Guys and Andrew discuss some silver linings coming out of the COVID-19 crisis. They also break some bad news about the economy coming out of the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund.

Some Good News and Some Bad News

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) invites you to attend the inaugural event in our Synthetic Biology: The Ongoing Technology Revolution Series. This initial event will introduce the science of synthetic biology, as well as the opportunities and risks it presents to both national security and the global economy. This event will serve as the first of four events, which will convene a diverse set of experts to discuss the security and economic policy implications of this critical emerging technology.
 
Synthetic Biology: The Ongoing Technology Revolution Series
 
Emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G, and synthetic biology—drive security and economic competition and are increasingly shaping national strategies. To develop an effective strategy for synthetic biology, policy makers and the general public need a better understanding of synthetic biology’s underlying capabilities, state of development, and diverse applications. Through a series of four symposia, CSIS will explore synthetic biology’s wide-ranging applications—from advanced microelectronics and materials to nutrition and cosmetics —and opportunities to shape its future development in support of U.S. security and economic interests. This series will include targeted discussions on synthetic biology’s:

	Present and future potential as a critical emerging technology;
	Economic, societal, and international implications;
	National security opportunities and risks; and
	Implications for emerging technology policy.

CSIS hopes you will join us for our inaugural event on February 6and will continue the discussion in the events that follow.
 
This series of events is sponsored by Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.

The Present and Future Promise of Synthetic Biology

As the world becomes increasingly urban and digital, smart cities are emerging as ground-zero for new approaches to development and governance. On Thursday, January 23rd, CSIS will convene a diverse panel of experts to distinguish between leading smart city models and discuss how their technologies, including in the areas of public safety and surveillance, are impacting the power of citizens, governments, and corporations, both within and between countries. 
 Featuring keynote remarks by: Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, Associate Director for Cyber-Physical Systems Innovation, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
 A presentation by: Jonathan E. Hillman, Director of the Reconnecting Asia Project and Senior Fellow of the Simon Chair in Political Economy, CSIS
 And a panel discussion with:  Dr. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri Michelle Holland, Director of Consulting & Deals, PwC Canada and former Chief Advocate for the Innovation Economy, City of Toronto Abha Joshi-Ghani, Senior Adviser, World Bank Michael Sherwood, Director of Technology and Innovation, City of Las Vegas
 Moderated by:  Peter Raymond, Senior Associate, CSIS

Cities of Tomorrow: Safety, Smarts, and Surveillance

The CSIS Scholl Chair is honored to be hosting Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Trade, on his first official visit to Washington, DC in his new role. In her Mission Letter to him, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tasked Mr. Hogan with creating a level playing field for all, strengthening Europe's global trade leadership, building sustainable trade in light of climate change, and making trade more transparent. Join the Scholl Chair as we discuss with Mr. Hogan this mandate, refreshing the Transatlantic trading relationship with the new European Commission, and looking to 2020 and beyond in the world of trade. Commissioner for Trade since December 2019, Mr. Hogan of Ireland was previously European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development from 2014-2019.

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

Refreshing Transatlantic Trade Relations

Please join us for a public event that will explore how the U.S. can lead the world in meeting the global demand for entrepreneurship and innovation.   To remain competitive in a 21st-century workforce, youth must have strong backgrounds in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and leadership skills. Developing economies will stagnate without qualified workforces, and there will be a mismatch between the skills that are needed for open jobs and those being taught in schools. Creating environments that foster entrepreneurship will bolster economic development and provide jobs for people around the world. There are many stories such as that of the Indonesian “unicorn,” Go-Jek, that went from having 20 bikes to be valued at $2.5 billion in just 10 years. 42% of the world’s population is under 25 years old, therefore finding jobs for the growing number of youth entering the workforce each year will one of the most pressing global development challenges.   Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are valuable sources of economic growth and help economies harness and utilize new technologies. Under the right circumstances, SMEs can play a disruptive effect on the market and pushing the incumbent players to be more efficient with the pricing of their products and services. For example, they were responsible for over 60 percent of employment in many OECD regions and cities. Startups, in particular, have massive potential for growth with the average startup in the United States hiring 5.2 employees in its first year. Startups also have greater agility in charting growth and market expansion. Over 86 percent of entrepreneurs who create and scale startups do so out of choice and not as a necessity.   As the world prepares to confront the job creation challenge to respond to an expanding youth bulge, the global economy must be driven by entrepreneurship, while governments must enable innovation in creating favorable conditions that sustain SME growth.   This event is made possible with general support from Chevron. 

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