This paper uses international cross-sectional and time-series infrastructure bond risk premium and credit rating history data from the past decade to examine the factors that influence investor risk perceptions and that inflate the cost of borrowing for essential infrastructure. The information...

Over the course of history, different legal instruments for protecting intellectual property have emerged. These instruments differ in their subject matter, extent of protection, and field of application, reflecting society's objective to balance the interests of creators and consumers for...

The pharmaceutical industry is unique because of a close connection between knowledge and final product. As the quintessential science-based industry, pharmaceuticals depend heavily on high level manpower and substantial R&D for innovation. Because these requirements are costly, the industry is...

This study of six industries in eight economies examined the role in building industrial technological capability played by outside sources particularly technology institutions (TIs) such as research and standards organizations and by directed policies such as tax incentives. It concluded that...

An effective legal and regulatory framework is essential in order to attract private investment into the telecommunications sector of most transitional and developing (TDCs) and to ensure that the TDC has the best chance of achieving the benefits for the country as a whole that flow from a...

This document is intended to be used by technical and social science staff involved in planning and implementation of water and sanitation facilities for the poor. It may also be useful to social science researchers applying their craft to the low cost water supply and sanitation sector. With...

This paper reports on the microfinance program of Hatton National Bank Limited (HNB), the largest private commercial bank in Sri Lanka. It reviews the experience of HNB, which has initiated a program offering financial services to the poor while continuing its traditional business operations.

The Country Opinion Survey in Macedonia assists the World Bank Group (WBG) in gaining a better understanding of how stakeholders in Macedonia perceive the WBG. It provides the WBG with systematic feedback from national and local governments, multilateral and bilateral agencies, media, academia,...