Since its independence in 1991 and until prior to the global financial crisis (GFC) in 2008-09, Armenia was considered an important success story among the transition economies. Indeed, over several years, the country displayed a record of sustained macroeconomic achievements, reflected in high...

In an era of globalization and rapidly changing technology, the nature of work and skills required is also rapidly changing, and it calls for an urgent need to redefine the types of skills considered in public policy. Technology is reshaping the demand for skills by reducing the value of skills...

There have been substantial improvements in development outcomes in Afghanistan since 2001, particularly in terms of improved access to basic services such as water, sanitation, and electricity, and increased human development in education and health. However, some gains are now being eroded due...

For the economy to attain its full potential, the Philippines requires an efficient water transport system. However, this is presently not the case. The domestic shipping industry is characterized by high costs, low quality of service, and a poor safety record. Logistics cost accounts for 24-53...

Sri Lanka needs to address new challenges if it is to sustain its strong record of economic growth and poverty reduction. The country has in many respects been a development success story, with average growth exceeding 6 percent and a threefold decline in poverty using the national poverty line...

Shifting Kenya's private sector into higher gear: a trade and competitiveness agenda' was born out of the World Bank's Trade and Competitiveness (T&C) Global Practice recent stock taking of its work in Kenya. This was part of a Programmatic Approach that aimed to organize T&C's knowledge,...

What is the future for agriculture in Peru? Once the principal source of employment and income for much of the population, Peru's agricultural sector has declined in importance as the national economy has grown and urbanized. Economic activity in the sector has continued to grow, but economic...

Despite advances in agricultural production, TFP, and trade balances, Russia continues to lag behind many comparator countries in measures of crop and livestock productivity. This report has aimed to provide a vehicle for dialogue with government on agri-food sector collaboration to address this...

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Belarus has pursued a gradual transition path characterized by slow opening of the economy to the private sector and a limited reform of the governance system of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This systematic country diagnostic (SCD) demonstrates that...

The purpose of this report is to help policymakers improve economic development and job creation in Cameroon's cities. The report is part of the World Bank's Technical Assistance project on Enhancing Economic Performance of African Cities, supporting clients in the Ministry of Economy, Planning...