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World Bank MENA Chief Economist: Towards a New Social Contract in the Middle East and North Africa
By Shanta Devarajan A snapshot of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region today reveals a diverse and discouraging picture (Figure 1). Syria, Iraq, and Libya are suffering from violent conflict that has devastated people’s lives, infrastructure, and national
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World Economic Forum: Chile and Colombia Best in Entrepreneurial Vitality
Most advanced economies are lagging in entrepreneurial vitality. According to a report published last week by the World Economic Forum, the most ambitious and innovative businesspeople are to be found in emerging countries. The Leveraging Entrepreneurial Ambition and Innovation Report
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UNCDF: A Roadmap for Financial Inclusion
Nephathli is a man from Lesotho, formerly a mineworker in South Africa. His family’s main source of income is the profit made on the sale of chickens and eggs. Nephathli’s income varies from month to month depending on how many
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Catherine Samba-Panza: Determined to Bring Peace and Democracy
She promises elections and works vigorously towards that ultimate goal, but will not stand as a candidate. President Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic is trying to rally all stakeholders behind a concerted effort to pacify the warn-torn country
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World Bank Supports Greater Resilience to Climate Related Hazards in Mozambique
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved today an International Development Association (IDA)* financing in the amount of US$50 million to support climate change related reforms agreed upon between the Government of Mozambique (GoM) and the World Bank under
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World Bank: International Food Prices Hit Four-Year Low
New World Bank Group tool focuses on preparedness for potential future crises. International prices of food decreased by 6 percent between April and August 2014, reaching a four-year low, according to the latest edition of Food Price Watch. This sharp decrease
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UN Reports Potential for Gradual Return to Global Growth, Foresees Risks, Uncertainties
Global economic growth is forecast to continue increasing over the next two years, the United Nations reported today, despite legacies from the financial crisis continuing to weigh on growth, and the emergence of new challenges, including geopolitical conflicts such as
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Trade Balance of Developing and Developed Countries Continues to Converge, UNCTAD Statistics Show
UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics 2014 shows that developing and transition economies run large trade surpluses for merchandise and services trade. Geneva, 9 December 2014 – Developing economies ran a combined merchandise and services trade surplus for 2013 of $177.6 billion,
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Mozambique Gets US$110 Million from World Bank to Improve Business Environment, Public Financial Management, and Social Protection
WASHINGTON — The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved today US$110 million to support the Government of Mozambique’s State Budget and its poverty reduction plan (PARP). This International Development Association (IDA) funding is provided under the tenth Poverty Reduction Support
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Partnering to Support Uganda’s Roads PPP Program
The national road transport network is the most dominant mode of transport in Uganda. Over 90% of passenger and freight traffic travels through the network. It also provides vital transport corridors to the land-locked countries of Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern Democratic
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