Iran's economic performance in the last two decades has been very disappointing. This is highlighted by the fact that per capita GDP was 16 percent lower in 1998 than in 1979. However, the most important single reason for this poor performance was not any domestic economic policy, but the long...

Investment commitments to infrastructure projects with private participation (Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI) projects) reaching closure in developing countries grew by 22 percent in the third quarter of 2009, and by 10 percent in the first three quarters of the year, compared with...

This comprehensive report-actually four compartmentalized reports in one-- focuses on policies to improve Brazil's trade performance. Specifically, three questions are addressed: What are the merits of alternative trade liberalization or integration options ? What domestic policies should be...

For decades, Gambia has served as a regional entrepot, using the river as a transportation link to the hinterland. Relatively low import taxes, well-functioning port and customs services, and limited administrative barriers reinforced Gambia's position as a trading center. About 80 percent of...

Mauritius is facing a sharp transition from dependence on trade preferences to open competition in the global economy. And it must do so in an unusually difficult environment. After 20 years of remarkable performance, the economy has fallen off a high growth plateau of about 6 percent toward the...

The themes of the 2006 Global Economic Prospects (GEP) are international remittances and migration, their economic consequences, and how policies can increase their role in reducing poverty. The GEP explores the gains and losses from international migration from the perspective of developing...

This synthesis report details the process, outputs and intermediate outcomes Technical Assistance (TA) ‘supporting impact evaluation studies in water supply and sanitation in India (P144956)’ implemented by the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program (WSP). The TA supported the design...

The second Lao PDR investment climate assessment identifies the key constraints of the country's non-resource sector firms. This Assessment summarizes the results of a national survey conducted in late-2009 and draws on extensive interviews with policymakers and practitioners. Survey results...

This report examines the fiscal prospects of major units of sub-national government in the voivodship (province) of Mazowieckie and proposes a series of reforms in recurrent spending and capital investment planning. Mazowieckie, the seat of Warsaw, is the heart of the Polish economy. While...

This research report examines the technical efficiency and impact of the Zambia Fertilizer Support Program (FSP). The FSP was launched by the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) in 2002 as a temporary measure to provide subsidized hybrid maize seed and fertilizer packages to smallholder...