Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the sustainable rice market, but it highlights significant investment opportunities in sustainable rice cultivation and financing [15][18]. Core Insights - The sustainable rice market is integral to global food systems, with rice being a staple for 3.5 billion people and contributing to about one-fifth of the global calorie supply [10][11]. - The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is actively exploring investment opportunities in the rice sector, focusing on sustainable practices and climate-smart agricultural methods [15][34]. - The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) aims to promote sustainable rice cultivation and has seen increasing market presence, although the current SRP-verified portion of the market remains small [24][27]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - Rice is crucial for food security and livelihoods, with significant contributions to global calorie supply and greenhouse gas emissions [10][14]. - The report emphasizes the need for sustainable practices to reduce methane emissions and enhance resilience in rice farming [14][15]. Introduction - Rice is a vital staple food globally, with over 1.5 billion people relying on it for their livelihoods, primarily in Asia and the Pacific [12][35]. - The report outlines the importance of rice in the World Bank Group's Climate Change Action Plan, focusing on sustainable farming systems [33][34]. Rice Supply Chain - The rice supply chain includes production, collection, milling, processing, and distribution, with various sourcing models employed by millers [75][99]. - Commercial rice mills are characterized by vertical integration, controlling multiple stages of the supply chain from farming to retail [99][100]. Key Impacts of Rice Cultivation - Rice cultivation significantly impacts greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption, necessitating sustainable practices to mitigate these effects [14][36]. The Sustainable Rice Platform - The SRP Assurance Scheme was launched to verify compliance with sustainable rice standards, with a small but growing area under verification [21][24]. - The SRP has gained traction in the retail market, with verified rice labels available in multiple countries [27]. Selected Financing Opportunities for Sustainable Rice - Supplier finance is identified as a potential investment opportunity to promote climate-smart practices in the rice sector [18][19]. - The GTSF program offers short-term financing linked to environmental and social performance, encouraging sustainable practices among suppliers [19][20]. Conclusion - The report suggests that further support for the sustainable rice market can be achieved through the deployment of financing instruments and the development of new modules for climate finance [28][30].

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 10976 A Longitudinal Cross-Country Dataset on Agricultural Productivity and Welfare in Sub-Saharan Africa Thomas Bentze Philip Wollburg Development Economics Development Data Group November 2024 Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 10976 Abstract Since 2008, the World Bank's Living Standards Measurement Study–Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) program has suppo ...

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The paper introduces a new method for estimating a full-coverage spatial price index that incorporates both food and nonfood components, which is essential for accurate poverty analysis and welfare comparisons across different geographical areas [4][15][62]. - The methodology relies on household-level data typically available in budget surveys, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of cost-of-living variations and their implications for poverty measurement [15][62]. - The findings emphasize the importance of adjusting nominal welfare aggregates to account for spatial price differentials, which significantly affect poverty statistics and policy design [11][12][19]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The report highlights significant price differences for consumption goods across various regions, affecting household purchasing power [10][11]. - It notes that understanding these differences is crucial for welfare analysis and poverty reduction strategies [11][12]. Theoretical Framework - The paper establishes a theoretical basis for spatial deflation in poverty measurement, linking the use of multiple poverty lines to price adjustment mechanisms [20][21][26]. - It discusses the equivalence of strategies for poverty measurement based on spatial deflation versus nominal expenditures [21][26]. Empirical Strategies - The report outlines two empirical strategies for estimating poverty lines: one based on a single national poverty line and another using multiple poverty lines [42][44]. - It emphasizes the trade-offs between specificity and consistency in poverty measurement when using these strategies [53][54]. Full-Coverage Household-Level Spatial Price Index - The paper proposes a method to extend the coverage of spatial price indexes to include nonfood items, enhancing the accuracy of poverty assessments [59][62]. - It discusses the advantages and limitations of the proposed method, particularly in terms of data availability and the reliability of price observations [76][78].

| --- | --- | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | FY 2024 Uruguay Country Opinion Survey Report | | | | ECR Business Intelligence Team \| July 2024 | Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Acknowledgements The Uruguay Country Opinion Survey is part of the County Opinion Survey Program series of the World Bank Group. This report was prepared by the Business In ...

| --- | --- | --- | |----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|-------| | | | | | | | | | FY 2024 Brazil Country Opinion Survey Report | | | | | ECR Business Intelligence Team \| October 2024 | | Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Acknowledgements The Brazil Country Opinion Survey is part of the County Opinion Survey Program series of the World Bank Group. This report was pr ...

| --- | --- | --- | --- | |--------------------------------------------------|-------|-----------------------------------------------|-------| | | | | | | | | | | | FY 2024 Costa Rica Country Opinion Survey Report | | | | | | | ECR Business Intelligence Team \| August 2024 | | Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized The Costa Rica Country Opinion Survey is part of the County Opinion Survey Program series of the World Bank Group. Thi ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 10975 Maternal Mental Health and Its Influence on Children's Early Development Evidence from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan | --- | --- | |-------|------------------------| | | | | | Mahreen Tahir-Chowdhry | | | Elizabeth Hentschel | | | Heather Tomlinson | | | Amna Ansari | | | Amer Hasan | | | Aisha Yousafzai | | | Naveed Hussain | Education Global Practice November 2024 A verified reproducib ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The World Bank has established rated criteria as the default approach for new international procurement in the transport sector, effective from September 1, 2023, focusing on evaluating non-price attributes such as quality, risks, sustainability, and technical aspects [10][12] - Rated criteria have been widely used for over 30 years in public procurement, allowing for a true value assessment that emphasizes quality and risk management [11] - The guidance and tools for implementing rated criteria are included in the updated procurement regulations and standard procurement documents [12] Summary by Sections Establishment of Rated Criteria - Rated criteria are mandatory for evaluating bids in new international procurements, focusing on non-price attributes [10][12] - The number of rated criteria varies based on project complexity, risks, and borrower experience [12] Types of Evaluation Criteria - Different evaluation criteria are used to assess bids, including process criteria, qualification criteria, minimum requirements, and qualitative rated criteria [14][16] - The evaluation approach is informed by the Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) [15] Technical vs Financial Cost Weighting - The weighting of technical versus financial costs is determined based on specific project risks and opportunities, with equal weighting in high-risk, high-value procurements [28] Rated Criteria - Rated criteria assess quality, sustainability, and innovation in bids, focusing on the methodology prepared by bidders [29][30] - A minimum quality threshold may be established to ensure only bids meeting quality standards are considered [32] Prequalification and Selection Criteria - Prequalification is used to assess minimum qualification criteria on a pass/fail basis, while initial selection evaluates bidders against rated criteria [25][26] - The evaluation process includes assessing management capabilities, technical performance, and qualitative aspects of bids [19][21] Road Safety Management - The report emphasizes the importance of road safety management in contractor selection, incorporating standards like ISO 39001 and the FIA Safety Index [64][65] - A comprehensive road safety management plan is essential for evaluating bidders' capabilities in managing road safety during contract implementation [70][73]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Climate change threatens Djibouti's development goals, potentially leading to economic losses equivalent to nearly four years of current output by mid-century due to increased extreme heat, drought, and floods [49][55] - Policies and investments aimed at climate adaptation can significantly reduce economic damages, with a limited set of priority actions capable of halving potential GDP losses [50][76] - Significant infrastructure investments have been made, but Djibouti must ensure these assets deliver on their promise for resilience and economic diversification [51][56] - Capacity building, economic reform, and skills development are critical for successful adaptation and diversification [53][78] - Additional concessional resources are required for climate adaptation, with estimated needs exceeding US$2.8 billion [54][76] Summary by Sections Chapter 1 – Climate and Development - Djibouti's economic growth has elevated it to lower-middle-income status, driven by political stability, strategic location, and significant foreign direct investment [86] - The economy is heavily reliant on the services sector, particularly trade with Ethiopia, making it vulnerable to external shocks [90] Chapter 2 – Country Climate Commitments, Policies, and Capacities - The report emphasizes the need for a stronger institutional framework to implement climate policies and mobilize financing [83] Chapter 3 – Selected Climate and Development Priorities - Djibouti's interdependence with neighboring countries through trade and migration is crucial for achieving development priorities while enhancing resilience [66] - Investments in water management, urban planning, and health care are essential to safeguard livability [70] Chapter 4 – Macroeconomic and Welfare Implications of Climate Change - Climate impacts could generate a permanent annual loss of up to 6% of GDP by 2050, with cumulative losses estimated at US$14-15 billion [75] - Adaptation investments are necessary to mitigate these impacts, with a focus on fiscal management and mobilizing international support [77] Chapter 5 – Conclusion and Recommendations - Economic reform, capacity building, and investment in skills are critical to the adaptation agenda, ensuring that infrastructure investments yield expected benefits [78]

Digitalization of Human Development Services in Europe and Central Asia Public Disclosure Authorized Ahmet Levent Yener, Jamexis Denise Christian, Samuel Jacques Chicheportiche, Subhashini Rajasekaran, Parviz Ahmadov and Lucia Solbes Castro Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized | --- | --- | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...