This paper discusses rural finance aspects of the World Bank's rural development strategy, "Reaching the Rural Poor" (see report no. 26763) by giving an overview of recent implementation experience, discussing current issues, and highlighting priorities for the future. The primary objective is...

China's rural economy has made enormous progress over the last twenty-five years. But rural finance and institutional reforms are still lagging behind, thus creating the risk of slowing down further rural development.  In October 2003, the OECD, together with the Chinese Government, invited...