The economic characteristics of the COVID-19 crisis differ from those of previous crises.

There are three broad issues underlying the proposed Economic Regulation of Transport Bill, 2020, that the Free Market Foundation regards as problematic.

The Trade Barrier Index analyzes trade restrictions in 86 countries; accounting for 83 percent of the world's population, 91 percent of all goods and services traded and 94 percent of global GDP. Growing trade tensions are having tangible repercussions on the global economy, such as the US-China trade war or between the US and the European Union. The fundamental role of the interchange of goods and services for development and growth is rediscovered. The debate on the subject needs a tool capable of measuring the extent of trade barriers, the forms in which they can decline and the role they play in limiting investment strategies and exchange policies.

Robust intellectual property (IP) protection is vital for biopharmaceutical innovation. It provides the incentives and business certainty needed to attract and sustain long-term investment in prevention, treatments and cures. IP rights have little value without enforcement, however.