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]

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Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The GCC economies are experiencing a contraction in the oil sector due to OPEC+ production cuts, while non-oil sectors show resilience with a projected GDP growth of 1.6% in 2024, accelerating to an average of 4.2% in 2025-2026 [32][35] - Water scarcity is a critical challenge for the GCC, necessitating innovative solutions such as desalination and demand management strategies to ensure sustainable water supply [26][42] Summary by Sections Recent Developments - GCC economies are heavily influenced by global energy markets, with a significant contraction of 7.5% in oil GDP in H1 2024, while non-oil GDP grew by 3.8% [32][35] - The UAE leads in economic diversification, with strong growth in financial services and logistics, while Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is driving investments in tourism and renewable energy [32][35] Spotlight Section - The GCC faces urgent water management challenges due to arid climates and rapid population growth, with water-dependent sectors contributing significantly to GDP [42][43] - Strategic investments in water efficiency and technology are essential for economic diversification and resilience [42][43] Outlook and Risks - GCC fiscal balances are expected to remain in deficit in 2025-2026 due to OPEC+ production cuts and low oil prices, with varying impacts across countries [32][35] - Inflation in the GCC is projected to average 2.1% in 2024, influenced by housing price pressures and monetary policies [32][35] Special Focus - Water security is vital for economic stability, with the GCC region being one of the most water-scarce globally, relying heavily on non-renewable groundwater and energy-intensive desalination [42][43] - The report emphasizes the need for integrated water resource management and public-private partnerships to address fiscal pressures and improve service delivery [42][43]