Mine Closure Standards and Improved Post-Closure Risk Management for Surface and Underground Coal Mines Including Standards to Improve Coal Mine Closure Practices and a Practitioner's Workbook for Implementation The World Bank December 2024 © 2024 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/ The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 11101 How Organized Is the Informal Sector? The Role of Business Associations in Microenterprises in West Africa Clément Joubert Kathleen Beegle Development Economics Development Research Group April 2025 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 11101 Abstract Although microenterprises are the most prevalent employer in Africa, boosting their productivity remains a developme ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The Women, Business and the Law (WBL) project by the World Bank provides comprehensive data on how laws and regulations affect women's economic opportunities across 190 economies, aiming to inform policy dialogue on gender equality reform [8][9] - The WBL report has evolved to assess not only the existence of laws but also their practical implementation, marking a significant step in understanding women's access to jobs and markets [9] - The project aligns with broader international development goals related to gender equality and sustainable growth, as outlined in the World Bank Gender Strategy 2024–2030 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [9] Summary by Sections Data Collection and Methodology - The WBL report production cycle consists of five phases: questionnaire design, data collection, data validation, score computation, and publication [12][13] - Data is collected through questionnaires sent to Expert Contributors in 190 economies, focusing on family law, labor law, and violence against women legislation [78][86] - Expert Contributors include professionals from both private and public sectors, providing insights based on their knowledge of legal frameworks [79][80] Data Integrity and Quality Assurance - The WBL team employs a rigorous data review process involving multiple layers of validation to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the collected data [66][70] - Perception-based data undergo a specific validation process to ensure that enforcement perceptions are only scored when relevant laws are in place [69] - The final data set is approved by DECIG Management and shared during the Bank-wide Review process [70] Engagement and Communication - The WBL project engages with Expert Contributors through a structured process, ensuring transparency and quality in data collection [76][84] - The Contributor Management Team oversees relationships with Expert Contributors, facilitating data collection and validation [84] - The project emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct and conflict of interest management among WBL staff [49][53]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Nepal's economic growth accelerated to 4.9 percent in the first half of FY25, up from 4.3 percent in H1FY24, driven by growth in the agricultural and industrial sectors, despite a slowdown in the services sector [18][36] - Headline inflation eased to 5 percent in H1FY25 from 6.5 percent in H1FY24, primarily due to reduced non-food and services inflation, although food and beverage inflation remained elevated at 7.5 percent [20][30] - The current account surplus moderated from 2.8 percent of GDP in H1FY24 to 2.4 percent in H1FY25, influenced by declining remittance inflows and a narrowing trade deficit [21][69] - The fiscal deficit narrowed significantly, reaching near balance in H1FY25, driven by stronger revenue growth outpacing slower expenditure increases [24] Summary by Sections Recent Economic Developments - Real GDP growth accelerated to 4.9 percent in H1FY25, with significant contributions from agriculture and industry, while the services sector experienced a slowdown [18][36] - Natural disasters caused damages equivalent to 0.8 percent of GDP, impacting infrastructure and agriculture [19][42] - The monetary policy stance remained cautiously accommodative, with a reduction in the policy rate leading to record low lending rates [22] - The financial sector faced challenges with a non-performing loans (NPL) ratio reaching 4.9 percent, prompting increased loan-loss provisions [23] Outlook, Risks, and Challenges - Economic growth is projected at 4.5 percent in FY25, with the services sector expected to drive growth, although tourism disruptions may limit growth in accommodation and food services [26][27] - Inflation is expected to moderate to 5 percent in FY25, driven by lower non-food inflation and favorable agricultural output [30] - The current account surplus is projected to narrow over the medium term, primarily due to lower remittance and a widening trade deficit [31] - The fiscal deficit is expected to remain at 2.5 percent of GDP in FY25, with public debt projected to rise to 43.4 percent of GDP by FY27 [32] Real Sector - The agricultural sector grew by 3.6 percent in H1FY25, supported by increased paddy production despite the impact of floods [55] - The industrial sector expanded by 6.6 percent in H1FY25, driven by electricity and manufacturing sub-sectors [50] - The services sector grew by 5.1 percent in H1FY25, with notable declines in financial and insurance activities and accommodation and food services [46] External Sector - The current account surplus moderated to 2.4 percent of GDP in H1FY25, reflecting a decline in remittances and primary income [69] - Official remittance inflows decreased from 12.9 percent of GDP in H1FY24 to 12.4 percent in H1FY25, influenced by a reduction in migrant outflows [74] - Merchandise exports rose to 1.9 percent of GDP in H1FY25, primarily due to increased refined edible oil exports [91]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Lesotho has a unique opportunity to build a new foundation for robust and inclusive growth following a decade of low and unsustainable growth [2][3] - The report emphasizes the critical role of fiscal policy in mitigating macroeconomic volatility and fostering sustainable and inclusive growth [22] - Effective prioritization of policies and investments, sound public financial management, and restoration of fiscal buffers are essential for seizing growth opportunities [21][32] Summary by Sections Part 1: The State of the Economy - Lesotho's economy has experienced a modest recovery, with GDP growth rebounding to an estimated 2.3 percent in 2024 after a contraction of 8.2 percent in 2020 [24][29] - High SACU revenues and renegotiated water royalties have led to fiscal surpluses of 7.1 percent of GDP in FY23/24 and 8.8 percent in FY24/25 [28][86] - The unemployment rate is persistently high at an estimated 16 percent, with significant underemployment in the informal sector [26][62] - Inflation has declined from 6.4 percent in 2023 to 6.1 percent in 2024, creating space for more accommodative monetary policy [25][74] Part 2: Special Focus on Fiscal Policy - The report identifies three reform areas to transform fiscal policy into an engine of inclusive growth: adopting fiscal rules, improving the allocation of spending, and enhancing the efficiency of public spending [40][41] - Implementing fiscal rules and establishing a stabilization fund could help mitigate macroeconomic instability and strengthen the government's long-term fiscal position [41] - The allocation of the education budget should focus on expanding access to quality early childhood care and development, particularly in rural areas [39][42]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The report aims to provide actionable recommendations to enhance women's participation in the Croatian labor market, addressing barriers and leveraging successful international practices [17][59]. - Despite improvements in women's labor market participation over the past decade, significant gaps remain, particularly for younger and older women compared to EU averages [18][67]. - The gender pay gap in Croatia is 7.4% in 2023, lower than the EU average of 12.0%, but still presents challenges, especially in lower-skilled jobs [24][26]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - The report identifies barriers to women's employment and outlines opportunities for enhancing their contributions to the labor market [17]. - Employment rates for young women (15-24) and older women (55-64) are significantly lower than their EU counterparts, with only 19.4% and 47.5% employed, respectively [18][67]. - The report highlights the widening gender employment gap for younger women, particularly affecting those with lower education and multiple children [18][71]. Barriers to Female Labor Force Participation - The report categorizes barriers into individual, sociocultural, structural, and institutional factors, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these challenges [27][31]. - Traditional norms regarding family responsibilities disproportionately affect women's labor force participation, with only 3.6% of men taking parental leave in 2023 [29]. - Childcare coverage is insufficient, with nearly 20% of children aged four to six not enrolled in early childhood education and care (ECEC) facilities [29]. Government's Planned Initiatives - The report discusses the government's initiatives to support women's contributions to the labor market, including improving childcare access and aligning coverage with working hours [39]. - It emphasizes the need for flexible work arrangements and support for women entrepreneurs to enhance their economic participation [42][45]. Actionable Recommendations - Recommendation 1: Transform social norms for greater equality in family roles and career choices, including promoting shared parental responsibilities and gender-neutral career guidance [35][37]. - Recommendation 2: Improve childcare access and align coverage with working hours to facilitate women's labor market participation [38][40]. - Recommendation 3: Facilitate smoother transitions back to work after parental leave and expand flexible work options [41][43]. - Recommendation 4: Enhance support for women in entrepreneurship and expand access to diverse income opportunities [44][46]. - Recommendation 5: Expand long-term care facilities and alternative support modes for the elderly to alleviate caregiving burdens on women [50][52]. - Recommendation 6: Design gender-sensitive active labor market policies and social protection measures to address unique barriers faced by women [53][55].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The paper introduces a new approach to measuring Global Value Chain (GVC) participation, emphasizing the need for accurate metrics for informed policy-making [2][8] - It identifies three modes of GVC participation: pure backward, pure forward, and two-sided, which allows for a more nuanced understanding of how countries and industries engage in GVCs [8][25] - The findings indicate that traditional trade-based GVC metrics significantly underestimate global GVC activity, particularly in sectors like services and upstream manufacturing [9][10] - GVC participation is shown to enhance overall output stability while increasing exposure to external shocks, highlighting its dual role in economic dynamics [11][21] Summary by Sections Introduction - The emergence of GVCs complicates policy-making by introducing new opportunities and risks compared to traditional trade [7] - GVC-led growth strategies can lead to better access to inputs and technology but also present challenges such as income inequality and exposure to imported shocks [7][8] Methodology - The paper develops enhanced accounting measures using inter-country input-output (ICIO) data to assess GVC participation [22] - A tripartite decomposition of GVC trade is introduced, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of countries' and sectors' engagement in GVC activities [24][25] Findings - Approximately half of GVC production, around USD 10 trillion in 2019, remains unaccounted for when only traditional trade metrics are considered [9] - The new metrics reveal that low and middle-income countries may be more shielded from international disturbances than previously thought during early trade liberalization phases [10] - GVC participation is positively correlated with higher per capita income growth, indicating its significance in economic development [11] Related Literature - The report discusses the need for rigorous measures of GVC participation to inform economic growth and development questions [13] - It highlights the limitations of existing measures and the importance of a comprehensive approach to understanding GVC dynamics [17][18] Conclusion - The paper underscores the importance of accurate GVC measurement for informed policy decisions and economic development strategies [12][21]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report highlights the significant reliance on liquid fuels for electricity generation in West Africa, which imposes high costs and financial burdens on utilities [9][20] - It emphasizes the potential for enhanced regional power trade as a cost-effective solution to reduce dependence on liquid fuels and improve financial sustainability [10][28] - The report outlines practical steps for countries to reduce liquid fuel reliance, even in the absence of regional integration [57] Summary by Sections Key Findings & Recommendations - Liquid fuels contribute to high electricity costs, averaging US$ 0.26/kWh, and account for 73% of regional generation costs [9][20] - Regional power trade could triple from 9.7 TWh to 29.5 TWh by 2030, leading to an 82% reduction in liquid fuel generation [9][32] - Improved dispatch and management of existing grid assets can further reduce liquid fuel use [9][10] - Contractual terms for liquid fuel generation often create financial vulnerabilities for utilities [9][10] Liquid Fuels in West Africa's Current Power Generation Landscape - In 2022, liquid fuels provided 4.5 GW of capacity and generated 12.7 TWh of electricity across 14 West African countries [11][12] - Liquid fuels account for 14% of the total energy mix and 16% of installed power capacity in the region [17] - The average cost of electricity service is correlated with reliance on liquid fuels, with fuel costs comprising 73% of annual power generation expenses [20][21] Liquid Fuel Phase-down through Regional Power Trade - The West African Power Pool (WAPP) has the potential to significantly reduce liquid fuel dependence through enhanced regional trade [28][55] - The modeling indicates that full regional trade could lead to a reduction of 20 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2030 [47][55] - Addressing barriers such as poor financial performance of utilities and historical nonpayment issues is crucial for deeper integration [56] Developing Domestic Options for Near-term Liquid Fuel Reduction - Countries can optimize existing grid assets and improve management of liquid fuel contracts to reduce reliance on liquid fuels [57][62] - Dispatch optimization studies can lead to significant reductions in liquid fuel usage without major new infrastructure investments [62][63] - Scaling up alternatives to liquid fuels, including renewable energy sources, is essential for long-term sustainability [57][74]

Investment Rating - The report emphasizes the need for dynamic social registries in the Sahel to enhance adaptive social protection systems, indicating a positive outlook for investment in this area [2][5][26]. Core Insights - Countries in the Sahel are experiencing interconnected shocks, particularly from climate change and conflict, necessitating systems that can quickly identify changes in household welfare [2][3]. - Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) is highlighted as an effective approach for governments to support the poorest and most vulnerable populations, integrating various social protection policies and programs [3][8]. - Dynamic social registries are essential for accurately assessing welfare changes among vulnerable populations, enabling timely and effective support during crises [4][9][26]. Summary by Sections Recommendations for Dynamic Social Registries - Establish a permanent client-interface for households to provide and update data on-demand, ensuring the registry reflects current welfare conditions [5]. - Adopt a modular structure for socioeconomic questionnaires to enhance data collection efficiency and reduce costs [5][40]. - Ensure interoperability with other data sources and ASP delivery systems to improve coordination and effectiveness [6]. - Promote systematic peer-to-peer learning to enhance national capacities in implementing dynamic social registries [6][52]. Introduction - The policy note consolidates findings from a study on dynamic social registries in low-income and shock-prone contexts, particularly in the Sahel [7]. Importance of Dynamic Social Registries - Static social registries in the Sahel often lead to outdated data, which can significantly affect targeting accuracy and program effectiveness [23][24]. - Dynamic registries can mitigate data decay and support inclusive social protection programs, maximizing impact during rapidly changing conditions [26]. Features of Dynamic Social Registries - Dynamic registries allow continuous updates and intake of new data, combining self-reported information with administrative records [27]. - Key features include a unique gateway for households, continuous updates, and assessment of household needs based on program eligibility criteria [27]. Data Intake Modalities - Countries can maintain current social registries by utilizing various data sources, including direct self-reported data and indirect data from administrative records [28][34]. - A combination of direct and indirect data collection methods is recommended to ensure comprehensive household information [39]. Modular Structure for Questionnaires - Modular questionnaires can improve data management efficiency by allowing targeted data collection based on program needs [40][46]. - The core module captures essential data for all households, while complementary modules can be tailored for specific programs [46]. Cross-Country Learning - Systematic cross-country learning and cooperation can accelerate the establishment and expansion of dynamic social registries in the Sahel [52]. Conclusion - The design and implementation of dynamic social registries require balancing timely data collection with comprehensive coverage to effectively support vulnerable households [54][55].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry [4]. Core Insights - The poverty assessment indicates that Türkiye has made significant progress in poverty reduction, with poverty rates halving from over 20% in 2007 to 9.84% in 2020, and chronic poverty declining from 24% to 10% [32][40]. - The main driver of poverty reduction has been income growth, particularly from labor, rather than redistribution of welfare [33][70]. - The report highlights the importance of tracking inequality outcomes and ensuring progressive growth to sustain poverty reduction [70]. Summary by Sections Introduction and Summary - The assessment aims to document the evolution of monetary poverty in Türkiye over the past two decades and identify the main drivers behind poverty reduction [18][19]. - It links changes in income distribution and shared prosperity trends over time, including a special section on poverty dynamics [18][19]. Recent Literature on Poverty, Inequality, and Mobility in Türkiye - Various studies have documented the trajectory and drivers of poverty, inequality, and mobility in Türkiye, showing a significant reduction in poverty rates driven by economic growth [21][22][23][24]. - The literature emphasizes the role of social assistance and economic reforms in reducing poverty and inequality [26][27][28][29]. Summary of Main Findings - Türkiye has seen a considerable decline in poverty rates, with chronic poverty and vulnerability to poverty also decreasing significantly [32]. - Labor income growth has been progressive, particularly between 2009 and 2016, contributing to shared prosperity [33][34]. - The demographic profile of the poor indicates that children and larger households are more vulnerable to poverty [36][37]. Policy Proposals - The report suggests prioritizing the creation of productive jobs that raise labor incomes and investing in human capital to eliminate poverty [71].