Workers hars according to the OECD. The World Bank estimates that 45 million hectares worth of large-scale farmland deals were announced in 2009, more than 10 times the annual average expansion of agricultural land in the decade to 2008. "Demand for land acquisition continues and may even be increasing," the World Bank said in its report, which asked whether the rush for land can "yield sustainable and equitable benefits?" REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
A file picture shows smoke billowing up from a factory in the industrial port area of Soga city, Chiba province, Japan, 14 February 2008. Major Japanese manufacturers are expected to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal 2020 by 18 percent from fiscal 1990 levels, according to a survey released by The Nikkei news service, 31 January 2011. EPA/EVERETT KENNEDY BROWN
Pool chairs are sunk for safety at a hotel in Cairns in far north Queensland, Australia, on 02 February 2011. Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi, now a maximum-force Category Five storm with winds of more than 250 km/h, has increased speed and is due to make landfall in the night of 02 February between Cairns and Innisfail, bringing devastating winds of over 200 km/h to a wide area. EPA/DAVE HUNT
A labourer jumps from a roll of iron coil to another at a railway yard in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh January 28, 2011. Settlement of India's iron ore futures contracts are likely to be initially in cash and would be linked to internationally acceptable prices, such as from The Steel Index (TSI), an official at a national-level commodity exchange said on Friday. REUTERS/Ajay Verma
Riot policemen stand guard in front of the parliament during a protest in Athens, February 1, 2011. Greek public transport, with the exception of urban railway and trams, held a 24-hour strike on Tuesday against reforms in their sector. REUTERS/John Kolesidis
An Indonesian worker puts the light on inside Chinese lanterns during preparations ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year at a temple in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia 02 February 2011.
Steam rises from the cooling towers at SSE's Fiddlers Ferry electricity power station near Liverpool, northern England, January 28, 2011. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Workers are silhouetted as they clean a canopy roof at the international airport in Mumbai January 31, 2011. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui
Labourers work at a construction site in central Madrid January 28, 2011. Spain's government will approve an increase in the retirement age, from 65 at present to 67 years, on Friday, raising it to one of the highest in Europe as it tries to convince markets it can reform its economy and cut its deficit. REUTERS/Sergio Perez
German Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Angela Merkel gestures during her speech at a ceremony to mark the 125th anniversary of Carl Benz's first automobile patent, in Stuttgart January 29, 2011. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle
Peace Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is seen on a screen during a session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, January 28, 2011. Organisers and CEOs at the annual Davos meeting projected cautious confidence in the global economy as the event opened on Wednesday, pointing to numerous risks which could yet derail a still-fragile recovery. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
A vendor waits for customers at a wholesale fish market in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad January 28, 2011. India's food inflation had remained in double digits for most of past one year and had been the key contributor to its headline inflation, which in December rose to 8.43 percent from 7.48 percent in November. REUTERS/Krishnendu Halder
Protesters cast shadows on a banner painted with the images of Mexican peasant revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata (L) and Mexican bandit-turned revolutionary Francisco "Pancho" Villa (R), as they take part in a protest against Mexican President Felipe Calderon during a rally against an austerity program to solve the economic crisis, on Reforma Avenue in Mexico City January 31, 2011. Thousands of workers from different unions and civil organizations participated in the march. REUTERS/Henry Romero (MEXICO - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) *** Local Caption *** HNR11_MEXICO-_0201_11.JPG
An Indonesian man walks as he is reflected on a stock index board at Mandiri Securities company in Jakarta, Indonesia, 01 February 2011. The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) rose 0.84 percent or 28.975 points to 3.438,142 in the first session. Indonesia's annual consumer prices index (CPI) surpassed the 7 percent level in January, as pressure remained heavy from surging food prices, mainly those of rice and chili, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) says. EPA/MAST IRHAM
A week around the business world in pictures
The most captivating photographs from the past week put the business world into sharp focus. Click through our online gallery.
More than 200,000 people marched across the country to vent their anger at the government's lavish spending in demonstrations which were initially triggered by a rise in bus fares. Brazil hit by largest protests in 20 years
The Saudi prince currently developing the world's tallest tower has invited the Dubai developer Emaar to help to develop an even higher building - a mile high - in one of the world's largest cities. Going for a mile-high building
