OECD Emerging Markets Network - EMnet

‌EMnet is the OECD Development Centre’s business-led platform for dialogue and analysis of policy challenges, economic trends and business opportunities in emerging markets. It brings together high-level public officials, senior executives from multinational corporations and OECD experts.

EMnet events are closed to the public and operate under Chatham House rule to allow for outspoken discussions and share experiences.

Bridging business and development in Africa, Asia and Latin America

Over the last two decades, the world’s economic centre of gravity has shifted dramatically. Between 2000 and 2019, the share of emerging markets in global trade increased from 32% to 46%, and their share as recipients of global foreign direct investment (FDI) from 15% to 46%. Currently, most of the world’s GDP growth occurs in those markets.

Business opportunities are development opportunities. That is why, to inform its work, the Development Centre needs a platform for regular dialogue with private investors, as primary actors of development in those regions. EMnet in turn provides multinationals operating across emerging markets with a space for peer-group exchange informed by OECD expertise, independent data and analysis, and for policy dialogue with the Centre’s Member governments.

How we work

The network hosts meetings on doing business in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean and cross-regional thematic working groups on Sustainability, Green Economy and Digital Transformation.

Activities are steered by a business led advisory group, with Co-Chairs appointed to guide EMnet’s Annual Meeting and Working Groups. The outcomes of our meetings are published as EMnet reports, offering a business perspective on topics under discussion across the OECD Development Centre.

The EMnet thematic Working Groups meet at least once a year to offer a platform for a cross-regional thematic dialogue and an opportunity for engagement with key partners and stakeholders. The Working Groups guide EMnet’s work on key areas that are set to shape growth and innovation across emerging markets in the coming decades.

Thematic Working Groups

Digital Transformation

Digital transformation, accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis, is changing business in emerging markets, boosting productivity, transforming regional value chains, accelerating the transition to industry 4.0 and opening new ways of improving public services. How can policies fix connectivity issues, improve access and affordability, and close the remaining digital gaps?

Latest key messages of the Working Group

Business and Sustainability

As fiscal space narrows in the context of the pandemic, EMnet’s Policy Note on Sustainability identifies the untapped potential of sustainable business to accelerate an inclusive recovery in emerging markets. How can policymakers use ESG and sustainable finance to encourage collaborations and drive private sector investment in emerging markets?

Latest key messages of the Working Group

Green Economy

Emerging markets are amongst the worst affected by climate change and have most to gain from collective climate ambition. How can governments and business drive private sector transformation, ensure an inclusive transition, and equip employees with the right skills for the future?

Latest key messages of the Working Group

For more information or to be a part of the EMnet Working Groups please contact [email protected]

EMnet reports and publications

With inputs, case studies and recommendations from members, policy notes provide business views on development in emerging markets.

Emnet business insight 2022 cover 175x233

Emerging Markets

The 2022 edition of Business Insights on Emerging Markets provides a private sector perspective on investment opportunities and challenges in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Read the report

Sustainability

In the wake of COVID-19, what can businesses do to support a able recovery in developing and emerging economies? And how can governments create conditions that support corporate sustainability in the face of the current crisis?

Read the report

Consult past publications here

Events

Events are by invitation only

14 April 2022 | Virtual Meeting

EMnet Working Group on Business and Sustainability

9 June 2022 | In-person Meeting, Paris, France

EMnet Business Meeting on Africa: The Future of Regional Value Chains

17 June 2022 | Virtual Meeting

EMnet LAC Private Sector Roundtable : Consultation on the Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO) 2022

28 September 2022 | Virtual Meeting

EMnet Working Group on Green Economy

6 December 2022 I Virtual Meeting