This summary report presents the findings of the Bangladesh WASH Poverty Diagnostic (BWPD) study led by the World Bank's Water and Poverty Global Practices. Though very few Bangladeshis now fetch water from rivers or defecate in fields, the vast majority still live in environments plagued by...

This note is a preliminary estimate of the revenue foregone under customs duty because of the various exemptions provided on imports. The estimates are intended as an input into the policy process that seeks to balance revenue raising measures, trade and tariff policy, and competitiveness. The...

The postponement of 2012 VAT Law implementation means that the higher tax revenues expected from the measure will be delayed, and additional sources of revenue need to be considered. Model simulations suggest that implementation of the VAT Law starting July 1, 2017 at the originally proposed...

Postponement of 2012 VAT Law requires significant early adjustments in the FY18 Budget to tap additional sources of revenue and expenditure saving to increase fiscal space. Automation, process simplification, and dispute resolution may bring additional tax revenues in the immediate future. These...

The key issues and challenges for effective tobacco tax design in Bangladesh, Tobacco control poses a major public policy concern and challenge in Bangladesh, which has one of the world's highest rates of tobacco use. Low cigarette taxes and prices have contributed to an alarming expansion in...

Carbon taxes can be win-win for Bangladesh. They can help show the world that Bangladesh is serious about climate mitigation, boosting the country's influence in international negotiations and helping it to access financing and technology promised during the COP-21. They can play a role in...

The government recognizes that inadequate basic infrastructure and a severe shortage of accessible land discourages greenfield investments and industrial development.Bangladesh has one of the world's most cost competitive, sizeable supply of labor, ideal for labor-intensive production in sectors...

As part of a deepening engagement with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) on the broader pensions agenda, this note analyzes and makes recommendations concerning the administration of civil service pensions. The national social security strategy (NSSS), was launched in 2015 and presented a...

Adolescence is a dynamic period of biological development and social change, and also a period when adolescent girls are at risk of school dropout, early marriage, pregnancy, and gender-based violence. Adolescents have the highest unmet need for family planning in Bangladesh, and married...

Prospects for faster, more sustainable economic growth and higher living standards in Serbia rely on increasing employment opportunities for all. By maintaining the current structure of labor participation, Serbia is not capitalizing on its educated young population, as only 48 percent of...