OECD, ‘rich nations’ club’ turns into ‘do-tank’

PARIS: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), derided as a “rich nations’ club” that vegetated in its Parisian chateau for decades, has redefined itself as the go-to resource for economic analysis.

“When I started my career [at the French finance ministry] in 1996, they sent me to visit the OECD. I said to myself, ‘God, I hope I don’t end up here!’” said Pascal Saint-Amans, recalling his impression of the institution as “second tier.”