Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the housing sector in Grenada Core Insights - Grenada's housing sector is highly vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change, necessitating urgent improvements in recovery capacity to ensure timely and effective disaster recovery [25][50] - The Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment (SRCA) indicates that the capacity for implementing resilient and inclusive recovery projects in Grenada's housing sector is currently basic or incipient, highlighting significant gaps in knowledge and resources [25][26] - The assessment emphasizes the need for gender-responsive and disability-inclusive recovery strategies, which are critical for enhancing resilience in the housing sector [25][26] Summary by Sections Introduction - The Caribbean region faces significant disaster risks, with Grenada experiencing economic losses averaging 3.6% of GDP annually due to natural hazards [50] - The SRCA aims to identify capacity gaps and opportunities for investment in Grenada's housing sector to enhance recovery efforts [53] Housing Sector Overview - The housing sector in Grenada is prioritized for recovery assessments due to its economic importance and vulnerability to disasters [25][57] - The assessment identifies critical needs for technical and human resources to improve disaster risk management (DRM) in the housing sector [25][26] Assessment Implementation Process - The SRCA was conducted through a consultative process involving key stakeholders, including government agencies and community representatives [25][57] Results Overview - The assessment categorized existing recovery capacity into three main components: Governance, Competencies, and Resources and Tools, with varying Recovery Capacity Index (RCI) scores indicating areas needing improvement [28][30] - Key findings reveal that governance structures and institutional responsibilities for recovery are underdeveloped, with RCI scores indicating a need for significant enhancements [30] Recommendations - The report outlines strategic recommendations for integrating resilient recovery considerations into national policies and planning processes, emphasizing the importance of finalizing disaster management plans and enhancing funding mechanisms for homeowners [33][34] - It suggests building specialized knowledge and skills within the housing sector to facilitate effective recovery interventions [33][34]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the World Bank Group's engagement in Namibia. Core Insights - The World Bank Group (WBG) is perceived to need more effective support for Namibia to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and financial assistance [12] - Familiarity with the WBG has significantly increased from a mean rating of 3.1 in FY18 to 5.9 in FY24, indicating improved awareness among stakeholders [15][22] - Trust in the WBG varies significantly across different stakeholder groups, with the highest trust ratings coming from the office of the President/Prime Minister/Minister (mean=7.9) [17] Summary by Sections Objectives - The survey aimed to understand stakeholder perceptions of the WBG, focusing on familiarity, trust, effectiveness, and development priorities [6] Methodology Overview - The survey was conducted from March to May 2024, with 819 potential participants and a response rate of 13% (105 respondents) [8] Overall Context - Stakeholders expressed a need for the WBG to better understand Namibia's socio-economic context and to be more human-centric in its development approach [19] Overall Attitudes Toward the WBG - Respondents indicated that understanding local realities is crucial for the WBG's effectiveness in Namibia [19] Key Performance Indicators - Ratings for the WBG's alignment with Namibia's development priorities improved but remained moderate, with respondents who collaborate with the WBG expressing more positive views [22][26] Development Areas - Stakeholders prioritized agriculture/food security (59%), education (42%), and energy (39%) as key areas for WBG focus in FY24 [43] Effectiveness of WBG's Support in Sectoral Areas - Ratings of the WBG's effectiveness in sectoral areas were generally moderate, with the highest ratings in macroeconomic stability and social protection [44] WBG's Engagement on the Ground in Namibia - There were improvements in perceptions of the WBG's openness and accessibility, but long-term partnership perceptions were mixed [47][48] Financial Instruments and Knowledge Work - Respondents valued the WBG's financial resources and technical assistance, with a significant emphasis on accountability in lending practices [63][66] Stakeholder Collaboration - There is a strong desire for the WBG to collaborate more with the private sector, local government, civil society organizations, and academia to enhance its effectiveness in Namibia [58]

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 ...