The Latin American and Caribbean region is highly exposed to natural disasters. The social and economic impact of these events has been historically very significant and it is showing an increasingly growing trend. During the first quarter of 2010, this unfortunate reality was evidenced with the...

This paper analyzes alternative models for emerging sovereign ratings. Although a small number of economic fundamentals explain ratings reasonably well, variations in those economic fundamentals are themselves explained by a small number of world factors. On the other hand, global financial...

This report sets out an approach and a set of tools for the financial structuring of public-private partnership projects, with a particular application to the potable water and sanitation sector. The analytical framework developed here arose from the experience and insight of investors, lenders,...

Drawing from the findings of monitoring evaluations conducted for MIF and others between 1996 and 2003, this paper sets forth some of the key lessons learned to-date from the operation of various LAC-based SME investment funds.

This paper explores the design of sound fiscal rules and their effective implementation and enforcement in the light of the existing literature and of available empirical evidence. It focuses in particular on the potential advantages and requirements for the effective operation of fiscal rules...

This presentation was commissioned by the Natural Disaster Network of the Regional Policy Dialogue for the V Hemispheric Meeting celebrated on June 13th and 14th, 2005.