Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The urgency and rapidly changing conditions during health emergencies necessitate robust monitoring efforts to ensure transparency [3] - Defining the characteristics of monitoring systems in agreement with stakeholders from the onset is crucial [3] - An effective Track and Trace Monitoring System (T&TMS) can be developed using basic tools like Excel spreadsheets and shared drives, without requiring sophisticated digital platforms [3][35] Summary by Sections Introduction - Argentina's COVID-19 Emergency Project was initiated as part of the World Bank's global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the first loan approved on April 2, 2020 [4] - The project aimed to support Argentina's health response and strengthen public health preparedness during a severe economic crisis [4][5] Financial Support and Procurement - The first loan provided US$30.9 million for medical equipment and supplies, with US$15.3 million allocated for 12,140 pieces of medical equipment and US$15.6 million for disposable medical supplies [12] - Emergency procurement mechanisms were utilized to ensure timely responses to urgent challenges posed by the pandemic [6] Track-and-Trace Monitoring System - A T&TMS was developed to track the movement of medical equipment and supplies from vendors to healthcare facilities [12] - The monitoring activities were divided into three stages: reception and distribution planning, concurrent supervision, and ex-post verification [13] Operational Achievements - The project facilitated the purchase of over 12,000 pieces of medical equipment and thousands of disposable supplies, distributed among 969 designated recipients [23][24] - The T&TMS ensured full traceability of shipments, which was particularly notable given the adverse conditions during the pandemic [25] Health System Strengthening - The project strengthened Argentina's health system capacity to respond to increased demand for intensive care, providing equipment to 90% of public hospitals with IC units [26] - A total of 3,511 ventilators were purchased, representing approximately 39% of the pre-pandemic stock [26] Health Outcomes - Argentina's excess mortality due to COVID-19 was 0.85 deaths per 1,000 population, significantly lower than the Latin American average of 1.79 deaths per 1,000 population [28] Factors Affecting Implementation - The Bank's long-term engagement and knowledge of Argentina's health sector facilitated the rapid preparation of the project [29] - Existing administrative procedures and information technology platforms supported the development of the T&TMS [30][31] Lessons Learned - The T&TMS serves as a best practice for future health emergencies, emphasizing the need for robust monitoring systems and stakeholder agreement from the onset [35]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a negative outlook for the Lebanese economy, projecting a contraction of 5.7% in 2024, with a significant decline in real GDP growth by an estimated 6.6% due to the ongoing conflict [24][40]. Core Insights - The conflict in Lebanon has escalated sharply, leading to mass displacement and destruction, with economic activity projected to contract significantly, reflecting a loss of US$4.2 billion in consumption and net exports [24][40]. - The cumulative decline in real GDP since 2019 is expected to exceed 38% by the end of 2024, deepening the pre-existing economic crisis [24][26]. - Key sectors, particularly tourism, have suffered major losses, further eroding Lebanon's economic potential and posing significant risks to long-term growth [24][26]. - The current account deficit is likely to deepen, with high imports of essential goods and declining exports straining Lebanon's economic fundamentals [24][26]. Summary by Sections Economic Developments - The report highlights a dramatic 62.3% decline in luminosity from 2019 to 2023, indicating severe contraction in economic activity [26]. - Dollar earners have experienced a cumulative 4.9% decrease in purchasing power from September 2019 to 2024, compared to a staggering 5,970.7% cumulative inflation faced by LBP earners [26]. Fiscal Developments - Lebanon's fiscal position is expected to deteriorate further due to urgent funding needs for affected populations and reduced fiscal revenues, particularly from VAT [24][40]. - The sovereign default since March 2020 limits Lebanon to minimal humanitarian aid, necessitating comprehensive debt restructuring to regain access to international capital markets [24][40]. External Sector - The report notes that the current account deficit continues to be financed by a heavily dollarized cash economy, which undermines recovery prospects [24][40]. - Imports of essential goods are expected to remain high, while declining exports and tourism receipts further strain Lebanon's economic fundamentals [24][40]. Special Focus - The report emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to achieve macroeconomic stability, improve governance, and enhance public utilities [26][40]. - Targeted investments are critical to support sustainable reforms, facilitate recovery of essential services, and rebuild Lebanon's damaged capital stock [26][40].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The Philippines is projected to grow at an average of 6.0 percent annually from 2024 to 2026, supported by robust domestic demand, sustained public investment, and a dynamic services sector [19] - The Human Capital Index (HCI) for the Philippines is estimated at 0.52, indicating that children are not reaching their full potential, particularly in early years outcomes [19] - Poverty incidence is projected to decrease from 15.5 percent in 2023 to 11.3 percent by 2026, supported by robust economic growth and rising real household incomes [19] Summary by Sections Recent Economic and Policy Developments - The Philippines experienced GDP growth of 5.8 percent in Q1-Q3 2024, up from 5.6 percent in the same period in 2023, driven by services and public investment [18] - Inflation averaged 3.2 percent in the first eleven months of 2024, down from 6.2 percent a year ago, allowing for monetary easing [18] - The fiscal deficit fell to 5.1 percent of GDP in the first three quarters of 2024, supported by increased revenue collection [18] Outlook and Risks - The medium-term economic outlook remains strong despite a downward revision of the 2024 growth forecast to 5.9 percent due to climate-related events [19] - The balance of risks is tilted to the downside, with uncertainties surrounding external trade and domestic inflationary pressures [19] Empowering Early Years Workers - Early years workers are essential for building human capital and driving economic growth, but face challenges such as shortages and inadequate qualifications [19] - Recommendations include targeted training programs, performance-based grants for local government units (LGUs), and improved coordination between national and local governments [21]

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry analyzed. Core Insights - The study investigates the differentiated economic impact of natural hazard-related disasters, specifically floods, in conflict versus non-conflict areas, revealing that conflicts amplify the negative impacts of such disasters on economic activity and recovery times [2][8][9]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The research aims to examine the impact of disasters and climate shocks on populations in conflict-affected regions, utilizing remote sensing technology to analyze the short-term effects of flooding events in Mozambique and Nigeria [8][10]. Methodology - A difference-in-difference econometric approach is employed, using satellite imagery of nightlight radiance and geospatial data on flood and conflict events to assess the economic impacts of floods in both conflict and non-conflict areas [17][39]. Results - Significant disparities in the effects of disasters and climate shocks are observed, with conflict-affected regions experiencing a more pronounced decline in economic activities compared to non-conflict areas [9][74]. - Specifically, conflict-affected areas experienced a 1.4% larger decline in economic activity one month after the floods compared to non-conflict areas [74]. Case Studies - The report focuses on two case studies: the 2019 tropical cyclones Idai and Kenneth in Mozambique and the July 2022 floods in Nigeria, highlighting the compounded crises faced by populations in conflict settings [48][49]. Data Sources - The analysis utilizes various data sources, including nightlight data from the VIIRS sensor, flood data from Sentinel-1 satellite, and conflict data from the ACLED database, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of floods in conflict-affected areas [18][24][31].

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - Policymakers are willing to accept a program with a 5.0 percentage point lower estimated effect on enrollment rates if it is recommended by a local expert, indicating a strong preference for local knowledge over formal evidence [2][49]. - Programs supported by evidence from a different region are preferred over those supported by local evaluations only if the former has a 5.8 percentage point higher estimated impact, highlighting the importance of perceived relevance in evidence [2][49]. - The findings suggest that local knowledge significantly influences policy decisions, and researchers should aim to generate contextually relevant evidence to enhance the uptake of their findings by policymakers [49]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The increase in impact evaluations provides policymakers with more formal evidence, yet they often rely on local expert recommendations, which raises questions about the relative weight given to these sources of information [7]. - A discrete choice experiment was conducted with policymakers to assess how they value local expert advice compared to formal impact evaluation results [7]. Methodology - A survey was conducted with 190 policy professionals at World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank workshops, focusing on their preferences for program recommendations based on various attributes [14][17]. - The experiment involved comparing programs with different evaluation methods, locations, impacts, and recommendations from local experts [25][27]. Results - Policymakers showed a preference for programs with larger estimated treatment effects and those recommended by local experts, while policy practitioners favored programs with more precise impact evaluation results [31]. - The analysis revealed that policymakers would accept a program with a 5.0 percentage point lower impact if it was recommended by a local expert, indicating a significant trade-off in their decision-making process [39][49]. - The results suggest that local expert recommendations and impact evaluations from the same country are both valued, but they are not seen as substitutes [41][45]. Conclusion - The study concludes that local knowledge plays a crucial role in policy decisions, and researchers should strive to align their studies with the contexts relevant to policymakers to improve the likelihood of their findings being utilized [49].

Early Experiences of Beneficiary Choice in Government-to-Person Payment Architecture in Indonesia Public Disclosure Authorized 1 Early Experiences of Beneficiary Choice in G2P Payment Architecture in Indonesia Early Experiences of Beneficiary Choice in Government-to-Person Payment Architecture in Indonesia G2P Rp Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized 2 Early Experiences of Beneficiary Choice in G2P Payment Architecture in IndonesiaThis work is a product of th ...

Industry Investment Rating - The report highlights a broadly downward trend in FDI into emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) over the past decade, with FDI inflows into developing countries falling by 3% between 2014-18 and 2019-23 [63][64] - The FDI-to-GDP ratio for developing countries dropped to 1.7% in 2019-23, the lowest in decades [63][64] - Greenfield FDI, however, has shown resilience, with announcements reaching nearly $750 billion in 2023, the highest annual level on record [70] Core Industry Insights - The global FDI landscape is increasingly shaped by near-shoring, friend-shoring, and reshoring, driven by geopolitical considerations, supply chain resilience, and market access [61][73] - US FDI flows into Mexico rose from $34 billion in 2014-18 to $45 billion in 2019-23, reflecting a shift towards shorter supply chains and less geopolitical uncertainty [78] - Chinese companies are redirecting FDI to third-country manufacturing hubs like Vietnam, Mexico, and Malaysia to preserve access to Western markets [78] Chapter 1: Trends in FDI in Developing Countries - Upper-middle-income economies dominate FDI inflows, accounting for over 75% of developing country FDI, with six countries (China, Brazil, India, Mexico, Indonesia, and Vietnam) receiving nearly 70% of total inflows [147][149] - Greenfield FDI in developing countries rebounded strongly post-pandemic, with ICT-related sectors experiencing significant growth, reaching over $30 billion in 2023 [201][202] - Reinvested earnings in developing countries have risen, accounting for over 60% of total FDI in 2021 and 2022, signaling confidence in host economies [206][207] Chapter 2: Near-Shoring, Friend-Shoring, and FDI Relocations - Over 80% of investment promotion agencies (IPAs) believe FDI relocations will significantly impact their countries, with 86% of developing country IPAs expecting friend-shoring to be an important trend [79][80] - Chinese FDI to Vietnam, Mexico, and Malaysia surged, with investments in computer manufacturing increasing 13-fold in 2023 compared to 2022 [78] - The MIGA-WAIPA survey indicates that geopolitical and economic risks, particularly supply chain disruptions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, are top concerns for FDI [43][84] Chapter 3: Political Risk Insurance (PRI) Trends - The ratio of PRI issuance to FDI flows into developing countries has declined, with only 7% of FDI covered by PRI in 2020-23 [87][89] - Public sector PRI providers, particularly export credit agencies, dominate the market, while multilateral providers like MIGA have doubled their issuance share, focusing on riskier environments [89][90] - Claims related to transfer and convertibility risks, as well as political violence, have increased post-pandemic, though the PRI industry retains sufficient capacity to handle these risks [90][91]

Public Disclosure Authorized Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report JUNE 2024 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized d Methane Reduction Partnership 2 Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report3 Foreword7 Acknowledgments8 Abbreviations9 Key Findings 11 Global Perspective 14 Spotlight Countries 19 The Islamic Republic of Iran and Libya 19 Russia 20 United States 22 Algeria 26 República Bolivariana de Venezuela 27 Imported Flare Gas Index 28 ...

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - Adequate judicial budgets are crucial for effective judicial service delivery, with average judicial spending constituting less than 2% of total government expenditure, primarily allocated to fixed costs like salaries, limiting investment in efficiency-enhancing technologies [11][13][21] - The report identifies three major trends in judicial budget reform: increasing autonomy in budget management for the judiciary, enhancing accountability at the court level, and shifting towards performance-based budgeting models [13][40][52] Summary by Sections Why Judicial Institutions Need Adequate Budgets - Sufficient judicial budgets are essential for the effective provision of judicial services, with most funds directed towards fixed costs, thereby restricting investments in necessary technological advancements [13][15] - Economic downturns and budget cuts often prioritize funding for security, healthcare, or infrastructure over judicial needs, leading to challenges in resource allocation [15][16] Three Basic Facts About Judicial Budgets - Judicial budgets average less than 2% of government spending globally, with variations across regions; for instance, Latin American countries tend to allocate a higher percentage [21][22] - The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in judicial budget proportions as other priorities emerged, and spending has not returned to pre-pandemic levels [27][29] Three Major Trends in Judicial Budget Reform - Countries are reforming budget preparation practices to grant more autonomy to judicial institutions, allowing them to manage their budgets more effectively [40][41] - There is a shift from input-focused budgeting to performance-based budgeting, emphasizing outputs and results, although this approach carries risks of administrative burdens on courts [46][51] - Recent initiatives aim to enhance budget autonomy to prevent judicial systems from appearing as politically controlled entities, potentially improving operational efficiency and public legitimacy [52][53]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Small claims courts and procedures enhance efficiency and accessibility in the justice system, particularly in high-income, common-law jurisdictions [12][13] - The report identifies ten critical factors for the effective design of small claims systems, including institutional setup, optionality, thresholds, filing processes, fees, timelines, representation, evidence, hearings, and judgment [12][13] Summary by Sections Origins and Purpose of Small Claims Courts - Small claims courts simplify judicial procedures for low-value claims, making them quicker and cheaper to resolve [15] - Approximately 135 countries have small claims courts or simplified procedures, predominantly in high-income, common-law jurisdictions [16] Designing Small Claim Courts - The design of small claims systems should consider various components, including institutional setup, thresholds, and filing processes [25] - Jurisdictions may adopt standalone small claims courts or integrate them within general jurisdiction courts, depending on their context [25] Key Findings - Small claims systems serve dual goals: improving judicial efficiency and increasing access to justice for vulnerable groups [22] - The report emphasizes the importance of user-friendly mechanisms for filing claims, such as electronic filing and oral claims [29] Conclusions - Small claims procedures can significantly improve access to and efficiency of justice when designed effectively [44] - Continuous assessment and user feedback are essential for refining small claims systems to address barriers to justice [44]