Adequate and affordable energy supply is fundamental for economic growth, higher living standards, and social equity. The delivery of modern energy services helps to improve the quality of life for all citizens, expands opportunities for private businesses-and ultimately creates jobs. In the...

Afghanistan is facing many economic and political challenges as it deals with spreading insurgency, declining economic growth, and continuing poverty. The government is working on a number of fronts to stimulate economic activity through its own initiatives and in partnership with International...

Vietnam has successfully developed the electricity and gas sectors that have contributed substantially to the economic development of Vietnam. To date, near universal electrification has been achieved, and the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors benefit from increasingly reliable...

Croatia joined the European Union (EU) in 2013, and the energy sector has been undergoing liberalization, deregulation, and unbundling of state-owned energy utilities. Croatia haswelcomed a number of new public and private energy companies. The Croatian power exchange was established in 2014 and...

The objective of this study is to identify the factors that need to be improved in the existing regulatory framework with respect to regulation of investments at the power distribution level. The study was initiated by the World Bank to inform the thinking of Public Services Regulatory...

This synthesis provides a review of operationally relevant findings and lessons from World Bank-supported utility reforms in the energy and water sectors, as identified in IEG evaluation products. The report summarizes the IEG evidence of what worked and what did not work, and why, in WB support...

Vietnam has made remarkable economic progress over the past 30 years; however, growth was supported by increasing reliance on coal-based energy. The energy sector would continue the expansion of coal-based energy with the significant increase in the installed capacity of coal power plants under...

The report examines economic developments in Vietnam in 2018, including its strong trade performance, increased FDI inflows, and public debt stabilization, among others. It also includes a special section on the government's efforts to reduce trade costs and enhance competitiveness. A...