Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report highlights significant trade restructuring driven by lower-cost advanced technologies, rising offshore labor costs, and recent shocks such as COVID-19 and geopolitical tensions [4][10] - U.S. imports from countries like Mexico and Vietnam have increased significantly from 2017 to 2023, while imports from China and Japan have declined [4][12] - The restructuring has led to increased wage inequality and job losses in offshoring countries, particularly affecting low-skilled workers [4][15] Summary by Sections Introduction - The report discusses the interconnectedness of global production and the shift from offshoring to reshoring due to various economic factors [8][9] Trade Restructuring Patterns - U.S. and EU markets are undergoing significant trade reorientation, with emerging economies gaining market shares at the expense of traditional partners like China [22][24] - The textile, apparel, and semiconductor sectors have seen notable shifts in import sources, with countries like Vietnam and Mexico increasing their shares [23][24] Drivers of Trade Reorientation - The U.S.-China trade war and other geopolitical factors have influenced trade patterns, with country-specific characteristics playing a significant role in export growth [29][31] - Key factors influencing market share gains include labor productivity, logistics capability, and technological readiness [13][50] Labor Market and Welfare Implications - Trade restructuring has led to increased wage inequality and job displacement, particularly affecting low-skilled workers in developing countries [52][53] - Automation and reshoring have created jobs for high-skilled workers while negatively impacting low-skilled employment [54][55] - Recent protectionist measures have raised consumer costs and reduced product variety, leading to significant welfare losses [57][58] Conclusion - The report concludes that ongoing trade restructuring is likely to persist, with significant implications for both developed and developing countries [63][64] - Policy dialogue should focus on preventing trade fragmentation and mitigating adverse welfare effects [64]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the GovTech industry in Jordan Core Insights - The Government of Jordan is implementing a user-centric service delivery model through the "SANAD" platform, supported by the World Bank, to improve public service efficiency and attract private investment [7][8] - As of the end of 2023, SANAD has integrated over 500 digital services, with a goal of reaching 2,400 services by the end of 2025 [8][36] - The digital ID initiative has seen approximately 810,000 activations, with plans to expand eligibility to non-Jordanians in 2024 [9][38] - The GovTech strategy aims to enhance public trust and service delivery, addressing high unemployment and economic uncertainty in Jordan [7][20] Summary by Sections 1. Introduction - GovTech represents a modern approach to public sector digitalization, focusing on citizen-centric services and efficient government operations [15][16] 2. Overview: GovTech in Jordan - The Jordanian government aims to improve its business climate and job creation through digital transformation, with significant support from the World Bank [20][21] - The Digital Transformation Strategy adopted in 2021 outlines the framework for public sector modernization [22] 3. World Bank Support for GovTech in Jordan - The World Bank is actively enabling GovTech initiatives across four focus areas: core government systems, public service delivery, citizen engagement, and GovTech enablers [27][28] - Key projects include the Jordan Youth, Technology and Jobs project, which supports the design and management of the SANAD platform [34] 4. GovTech in Jordan through Five Lenses - The report evaluates GovTech initiatives through lenses such as objectives, control, participation, technology, and effects to ensure comprehensive analysis [47][48]

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 10956 Fading Away Informality by Development M. Nazım Tamkoç Public Disclosure Authorized Development Economics Global Indicators Group October 2024 Policy Research Working Paper 10956 Abstract This paper focuses on the role of development in informality through higher wages and expanded production possibilities. First, it uses informal, plant-level survey data across countries to document th ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the Municipality of Heraklion Core Insights - The Municipality of Heraklion has experienced significant economic growth, with total firm turnover increasing from €2.38 billion to €4.1 billion between 2015 and 2019, indicating a robust economic performance [12] - Tourism is a key driver of the local economy, contributing approximately 33% to the GDP of the region of Crete, with annual visitor numbers reaching around 1 to 2 million for Heraklion and 5 million for Crete [12] - The region is recognized for its strong human capital, supported by prominent educational institutions and research centers, which enhances its attractiveness for foreign technology companies [12] Quick Facts on Region and Municipal Area - Heraklion is the fourth largest city in Greece and serves as the administrative capital of Crete, with a population of 179,302 as of 2021, reflecting a growth of 3.1% from 2011 [11][14] - The city is home to significant cultural and historical sites, including the Archaeological Site of Knossos, which attracted over 920,000 visitors in 2023 [11] Demographics - The active population in Heraklion is approximately 79,369, with a labor force participation rate of 73.2% [17][20] - Educational attainment shows that 21.3% of the active population holds university degrees, while 3.8% have completed postgraduate studies [18] Structural Composition of the Economy - As of 2020, there were 36,792 registered enterprises in Heraklion, marking a 27% increase from 2015 [27] - The agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector accounts for 54% of registered enterprises, while wholesale trade represents 12% [27][31] Sectoral Analysis - Employment is concentrated in wholesale and retail trade (18%), agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (16%), and education (13%) [33] - The number of registered enterprises increased across nearly all sectors from 2015 to 2020, with notable growth in agriculture and real estate management [28][30] Economic Performance - The total turnover of firms in Heraklion grew significantly, with wholesale and retail trade generating the highest average turnover per firm [12] - Employment in medium and high-skilled jobs accounted for 84% of the workforce as of 2022, indicating a shift towards higher skill levels in the labor market [22] Investment Opportunities - Key sectors for potential growth include tourism, ICT, and biotechnology, supported by strategic infrastructure projects [12] - The hospitality sector has attracted significant domestic and foreign investment, with numerous hotel acquisitions and developments since 2020 [12]

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Guide to Mobility for Livable Pacific Cities | Part I: Priority Actions for a Car-Lite Future1 Part I: is complemented by Part II: Practitioners' Handbook to Implement the Priority Actions MOBILITY FOR LIVABLE PACIFIC CITIES Priority Actions for a Car-Lite Future Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized © 2024 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-47 ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Combating Heat in Cities Operationalizing the Urban Heat Agenda at the World Bank Public Disclosure Authorized Hyunji Lee, Jonathan Hasoloan, Hogeun Park, Terri B. Chapman, and José Siri Public Disclosure Authorized © 2024 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved This work is a product of the staff of The World ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of integrating conflict-sensitive approaches in Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) to address the interlinkages between climate change, natural resource management, and fragility in conflict-affected situations [7][9][10] - It highlights the need for a holistic approach to tackle the impacts of fragility, conflict, and violence, particularly in relation to natural resource access and climate variability [8][9] - The report identifies untapped opportunities for enhancing climate change initiatives by adopting conflict-sensitive strategies early in program development [9] Section Summaries Section I: Key Natural Resource Management Considerations for CCDR Development in FCS - This section outlines key priorities for CCDR development, focusing on the nexus of fragility, conflict, environment, and natural resource management [13] - It discusses the high dependence on natural resources in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS) and how this dependence can escalate tensions and conflicts [17][18] - The report provides examples of how CCDRs have incorporated the linkages between natural resources, climate change, and conflict dynamics [9][10] Chapter 1: Climate Change and Development - The chapter examines the relationship between natural resource dependency and vulnerability to climate and security risks, emphasizing the need to identify opportunities for mitigating risks [15] - It raises questions regarding the role of natural resources in national economies and the impacts of climate change on different population groups [15] Chapter 2: Country Climate Commitments, Policies, and Capacities - This chapter addresses the weak institutional capacity to manage climate change impacts on natural resources, highlighting the need for coherent climate-friendly policies [28][29] - It discusses the challenges posed by fragile institutional frameworks in implementing climate actions and the importance of mobilizing private sector investment [31] Chapter 3: Sectoral Deep Dives - The chapter summarizes risks and drivers associated with different sectors and natural resources, emphasizing the need for investments to avoid negative externalities that could exacerbate existing FCV dynamics [36] - It categorizes natural resources into non-renewable and renewable resources, discussing the conflict dynamics associated with each category [36][37] Conclusion and Recommendations - The report concludes with recommendations for integrating conflict-sensitive approaches in CCDRs to enhance resilience and address vulnerabilities in FCS [10][12]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the childcare services industry in Cambodia Core Insights - The report emphasizes the critical need for improved access to childcare services to enhance women's labor force participation and overall economic growth in Cambodia [15][16][22] - It highlights the significant gap in childcare coverage, particularly for children under three years old, where only 3.2% were utilizing services as of 2012/13 [17][45] - The Cambodian government has made legal and policy commitments to expand childcare services, but implementation gaps remain [18][22] Summary by Sections Executive Summary - Cambodia's economy has benefited from high female labor force participation at 74%, yet women face challenges in accessing formal employment due to unpaid care responsibilities [15][37] - The report identifies that improved access to childcare can alleviate time constraints and promote economic growth [16][19] Chapter 1: The Case for Childcare - Access to affordable childcare is linked to better labor market outcomes for women, enhancing family income and overall economic growth [32][34] - Women in Cambodia perform 90% of unpaid care work, significantly impacting their employment opportunities [37] Chapter 2: The Childcare Landscape in Cambodia - Approximately one-third of children aged three to five are enrolled in preschool, with a significant reliance on public and community-based services [43][44] - The report notes that formal childcare services for children under three are rare, with most care provided informally by family members [48] Chapter 3: The Supply—Service Types and Characteristics - The report discusses the characteristics of childcare services, including operating hours, caretaker qualifications, and challenges faced by childcare centers [20][22] - It highlights the lack of regulation and quality assurance mechanisms for childcare services, particularly for those serving children under three [20][22] Chapter 4: Demand for Childcare - Family demand for childcare is limited due to supply-side constraints, including insufficient operating hours and quality of services [21][22] - The report indicates that parents' willingness to pay for childcare is lower than the average costs, influenced by service quality and operating hours [21] Chapter 5: Recommendations - The report outlines policy priorities to improve childcare services, including expanding access, improving service quality, and addressing social perceptions of childcare [22][23] - Recommendations include developing a governance framework for childcare, enhancing workforce training, and increasing public awareness of the benefits of early childhood education [22][23]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The economy of Sri Lanka has stabilized, recording four quarters of growth after critical structural and policy reforms, but the recovery remains fragile and dependent on continued macroeconomic stability and successful debt restructuring [15][21] - GDP growth was robust at 5 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, driven by a rebound in the industrial sector and strong performance in tourism-related services [16][37] - The current account strengthened, driven by increased tourism receipts and remittances, contributing to an estimated balance of payments surplus [16][20] - Poverty remains high, with food insecurity widespread and labor force participation declining [17][21] Summary by Sections A. Macroeconomic Developments - The economy grew by 5 percent year-on-year in H1 2024, with external balances improving and inflation remaining in low single digits [16][18] - Fiscal balances strengthened with tax revenue increasing by 42.6 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, primarily due to higher VAT collection [17] - Despite economic growth, households face pressure from elevated poverty levels and declining health outcomes [17][18] B. Opening Up to the Future - Reviving exports is crucial for sustainable growth, with Sri Lanka's untapped export potential estimated at about US$10 billion annually [24][27] - The share of goods and services exports to GDP has been declining, reaching its lowest point of 15 percent in 2020, indicating a lack of diversification [25][27] - Structural reforms are necessary to enhance competitiveness and export orientation, including reducing tariffs and simplifying trade procedures [29][32] - Sri Lanka has opportunities to capitalize on shifts in global value chains due to geopolitical changes and supply chain disruptions [30][31]

Investment Rating - The report suggests a positive outlook on public investment in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), indicating that public investment can significantly boost economic growth [3][12]. Core Insights - Public investment can increase output by 1.1 percent after five years for every 1 percent of GDP increase in public investment, with potential increases up to 1.6 percent in cases of high efficiency and ample fiscal space [12][13]. - The effectiveness of public investment multipliers is greater during recessions and in capital-scarce economies, with public investment also having crowding-in effects on private investment [12][13]. - The report emphasizes the importance of public investment efficiency and fiscal space in determining the magnitude of its impact on economic growth [12][13]. Summary by Sections Introduction - Public investment is a crucial policy tool for fostering economic growth in EMDEs, especially in the context of significant investment gaps and a slump in private investment [7][8]. Methodology - The report employs a new approach to measure public investment shocks based on cyclically adjusted government investment, analyzing data from 129 countries over the period from 1980 to 2019 [10][36]. Empirical Results - Public investment shocks lead to a gradual increase in output, with a notable increase from 0.4 percent after one year to 1.1 percent after five years for a 1 percent of GDP increase in public investment [55]. - The report highlights significant heterogeneity in the effects of public investment across different EMDEs, with higher-income EMDEs experiencing stronger impacts compared to low-income countries [56].