This book presents a new paradigm for introducing technology in the microfinance industry of Bangladesh that could help ameliorate current constraints. Under the new paradigm, a centralized Information and communication technology (ICT) platform will be established to serve the microfinance...

Expanding housing finance to the underserved in South Asia, a first regional effort on the topic, examines housing needs and shortages in South Asia, and outlines shortcomings of the market for home mortgages. The primary purpose of this book is to pull together housing and housing finance...

The report reviews the Bank's development assistance to Lesotho, a poor country, of predominantly rural populations, landlocked and completely surrounded by, and economically dependent on, South Africa. Not surprisingly, a major development challenge for the country is that half the population...

Despite social, and economic diversity within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, social protection systems share common characteristics. This report develops a framework for a more integrated approach to social protection, and proposes general strategic lines of actions to guide the...

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) expanded its sustainable development impact through private sector project financing operations and advisory activities. This year the Board of Directors approved a number of investments and maintained close...

Although a small agency, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has a broad mandate-to promote productive foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into developing countries. The Agency's results in fiscal 2004 were mixed. While the total amount of guarantees issued fell slightly, to...

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) expanded its sustainable development impact through private sector project financing operations and advisory activities. This year the Board of Directors approved a number of investments and maintained close...

This study is the first independent evaluation of social fund projects by OED. It reviews the development effectiveness of social fund projects and draws implications for future Bank support to them. It responds to the interest of the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors for an independent...