ic Disclosure Auth blic Disclosure Authoriz Disclosure Authori olic Disclosure Authori WORLD BANK GROUP conomic Profile: lunicipality of erakli May 2024 Funded by the European Union Economic Profile: Municipality of Heraklion Disclaimer This document was produced under the project"Greece Sustainable Cities and Regions through Integrated Territorial Investments Technical Facility" over the period 2022-2024. This project is carried out with funding by the European Commission's Directorate- General for Regiona ...

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 a digital platform called "SANAD" to improve public service efficiency and attract private investment, addressing high unemployment and low public trust [6][20] - The World Bank is financing the design and management of SANAD, which aims to integrate over 2,400 digital services by the end of 2025, enhancing accessibility for citizens [7][37] - The digital ID initiative is central to the transformation, with 810,000 active digital IDs as of now, aiming for 3.5 million by 2025, including eligibility expansion to non-citizens [8][39] Summary by Sections Overview of GovTech in Jordan - The GovTech approach in Jordan focuses on integrated service delivery through the SANAD platform, evolving from earlier e-government initiatives [19] - The government aims to improve the business climate and job creation through its Economic Modernization Vision, emphasizing digital transformation as a key strategy [20][21] Digital Transformation Strategy - The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE) leads the digital transformation, supported by a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy adopted in 2021 [22][33] - The strategy includes plans for centralized digital infrastructure and policies to enhance data privacy and digital signatures [22] Public Service Delivery - The SANAD platform has incorporated over 500 digital services, including personal records retrieval and various certificate issuances, with plans for further expansion [7][37] - The government is working on a National Service Register (NSR) to streamline service access and improve performance metrics [43] Citizen Engagement - The government is committed to enhancing citizen engagement through platforms like "At Your Service," which captures feedback and complaints from citizens [45] - The open data agenda is being advanced to improve transparency and accessibility of government data [45] GovTech Enablers - Strong data governance frameworks are essential for the success of GovTech initiatives, with ongoing efforts to establish data privacy protections [46][47] - The World Bank supports the development of regulatory frameworks for e-procurement and digital payments to enhance public service efficiency [48][49]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the need for tailored regulatory frameworks to protect digital platform workers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [3][6][7] - It highlights the importance of addressing market power asymmetries, information asymmetries, and competition barriers to improve employment outcomes for platform workers [20][12][19] Summary by Sections Introduction - Digital platform work is defined as task- or gig-based work facilitated through digital marketplaces, connecting workers with clients [14] - The global employment share of digital platform work is estimated to be between 4.4% and 12.5% of the labor force, excluding location-based services [15] Interventions and Findings - **Market Power Asymmetries**: The report discusses the monopsony power of digital platforms, which can lead to underpayment and restricted flexibility for workers. Regulatory responses may include minimum wage policies and strengthening workers' bargaining power [20][21] - **Information Asymmetries**: There is a significant imbalance in information between employers and workers, which can hinder workers' ability to find suitable jobs. The report suggests that improving transparency and reputation systems could help mitigate these issues [28][29] - **Competition Barriers**: The competitive environment of digital platforms affects the treatment of workers. The report notes a lack of empirical evidence on the effects of addressing competition barriers [12][32] - **Social Insurance**: The report highlights the low coverage of social insurance among digital platform workers and suggests leveraging platform data to improve enrollment in social protection schemes [11][17] Recommendations - Policymakers should consider a combination of labor market regulations, product market regulations, and social protection measures to effectively support digital platform workers [12][19] - There is a need for more empirical research to inform the development of effective regulatory frameworks tailored to the unique characteristics of digital platform work [7][18]

Investment Rating - The South Asia Regional Trade Facilitation Program (SARTFP) is positioned as a significant initiative aimed at enhancing economic growth and women's empowerment through trade and connectivity in South Asia [5][74]. Core Insights - SARTFP focuses on improving regional connectivity and trade facilitation, particularly benefiting women entrepreneurs and micro-businesses in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal [5][74]. - The program has successfully integrated gender considerations into regional projects, promoting women's economic empowerment and addressing barriers they face in various sectors [8][18]. - SARTFP has facilitated numerous initiatives, including the establishment of networks and training programs aimed at enhancing women's participation in economic activities [10][65]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The World Bank's South Asia Regional Integration and Engagement Program supports transboundary cooperation for greater connectivity and human development, with a strong emphasis on gender inclusion [8]. Focus Areas - Key focus areas include transport connectivity, trade facilitation, local enterprise development, and economic development, all aimed at enhancing women's roles in these sectors [6]. Women's Economic Empowerment - SARTFP has supported various initiatives to empower women, including training programs in sectors like transport, tourism, and agriculture, leading to improved economic opportunities [5][20][46]. Case Studies - The program has documented success stories, such as women-led enterprises in tourism and agriculture, showcasing the positive impact of SARTFP on local communities [22][47]. Challenges and Interventions - The report highlights ongoing challenges such as gender disparities in labor force participation and access to resources, while detailing interventions designed to address these issues [17][51]. Impact - SARTFP has led to significant improvements in women's economic conditions, with many women reporting increased income and better access to markets and resources [20][44][66].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Climate change and extreme events are increasing, leading to significant impacts on vulnerable populations and economies [19][21][54] - Development, adaptation, and resilience are inseparable, requiring a whole-of-society strategy to effectively address climate risks [24][25][29] - Economic development is crucial for enhancing adaptive capacity, with a 10 percent increase in GDP per capita associated with significant improvements in various risk metrics [26][28][73] Chapter Summaries Chapter 1: Adaptation and Resilience as a Development Imperative - Faster development is essential to boost resilience, as adaptation interventions alone cannot ensure resilience without access to basic services [34][70] - Better development practices, informed by climate risks, are necessary to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability [89][90] - Targeted adaptation interventions are critical for managing climate change impacts and require significant investment [102][104] Chapter 2: Gaps and Priorities Identified by Country A&R Readiness Assessments - A&R readiness assessments reveal significant gaps in implementation and capacity across countries, particularly in poorer regions [122][127] - Key priorities include facilitating adaptation for people and firms, adapting land use plans, and managing macrofiscal issues [140][141][160] - Countries need to strengthen their governance frameworks and institutional capacities to effectively implement A&R strategies [177][178] Chapter 3: Private and Public Sectors are Stepping Up A&R Action - The private sector is increasingly investing in climate adaptation and resilience measures, particularly in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure [187][188] - Case studies highlight successful interventions, such as Mahindra's Krish-e initiative in India, which supports farmers with climate-resilient practices [190][191] - Public-private partnerships are essential for mobilizing resources and ensuring effective adaptation strategies [220][221]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the fisheries sector in Vietnam Core Insights - Vietnam's fisheries sector is facing significant challenges, including declining fish stocks and vulnerabilities among workers, necessitating a multifaceted approach for sustainable development [1][6][7] - The integration of social protection and labor market policies is essential to support sustainable fisheries and enhance the resilience of communities dependent on this sector [7][18] - Digitalization can improve data sharing and facilitate the extension of social protection to informal workers, who represent the majority in fishery households [1][27] Summary by Sections Introduction - Capture fisheries and aquaculture are vital for Vietnam's economy, contributing significantly to food security and livelihoods, with aquaculture accounting for 57% of total production and 75% of total revenues [5][6] - Over 7 million people depend on the fisheries sector, with marine fisheries being a crucial source of employment [5][6] Country Context - Vietnam's marine economy contributes about 30% to national GDP, with fisheries and aquaculture accounting for 3.4% [10] - The fisheries sector is under pressure from overfishing and climate change, leading to a decline in fish stocks and threatening livelihoods [6][11] Social Protection and Labor Policies - Vietnam's social protection system has evolved but remains fragmented, with significant gaps in coverage, particularly for informal workers [18][19] - Social assistance spending is low, at around 0.86% of GDP, covering only 3.5% of the population [19][20] - The integration of social assistance with active labor market programs is limited, affecting the effectiveness of poverty reduction efforts [22][26] Data and Methodology - The analysis is based on data from the Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey and the Vietnam Labor Force Survey, providing a comprehensive profile of socioeconomic vulnerability in the fisheries sector [30][31] Main Findings - The demographic profile indicates that fishing and aquaculture households are primarily located in regions vulnerable to climate change, such as the Mekong Delta [36] - Employment in fisheries and aquaculture is lower than in agriculture, with significant informal employment and low social insurance coverage [44][45] - Monthly incomes in fishing and aquaculture are higher than in agriculture but lower than in other sectors, with notable gender income disparities [47]

RESHAPING CITIES Readying Cities in the Western Balkans for a changing climate WORLD BANK GROUP olic Disclosure Aut i RESHAPING Readying Cities in the Western Balkans for a changing climate WORLD BANK GROUP © 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 | --- | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive outlook for the Western Balkans, with an expected GDP growth of 3.3 percent in 2024, up from 2.6 percent in 2023, suggesting a stable investment environment [21][22]. Core Insights - Economic growth in the Western Balkans is primarily driven by domestic demand rather than external factors, with significant contributions from consumption and investment [21][22]. - The labor market is improving, with employment rates reaching historical highs, although challenges such as labor shortages and skills mismatches persist [21][22]. - Poverty reduction continues, albeit at a slower pace, with an estimated annual decline of about 1 percentage point [21][22]. - Fiscal deficits are projected to widen in 2024, with the average fiscal deficit expected to reach 2.5 percent of GDP [23][24]. - Inflation rates are decreasing, with regional averages showing a decline from 4.4 percent to 3.2 percent by mid-2024 [23][24]. - The current account deficit is expected to widen to 5.6 percent of GDP in 2024, driven by sluggish export growth and elevated energy costs [24][25]. Summary by Sections 1. Overview - The Western Balkans economies are navigating a complex environment, with growth expected to accelerate to 3.3 percent in 2024, supported by domestic demand and expansionary fiscal policies [21][22]. 2. Growth Acceleration - Growth is driven by stronger consumption and investment, with Serbia projected to lead at 3.8 percent growth in 2024 [21][22]. 3. Employment Trends - Employment reached a historical high of 48.5 percent in June 2024, with significant job creation in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina [21][22]. 4. Poverty Reduction - Poverty reduction is ongoing but at a slower rate, with long-term unemployment affecting many households [21][22]. 5. Fiscal Policies - Fiscal deficits are set to increase, with the average expected to rise to 2.5 percent of GDP in 2024, driven by broad-based spending increases [23][24]. 6. Inflation Trends - Inflation is decelerating, with a regional average of 3.2 percent by mid-2024, influenced by easing commodity prices [23][24]. 7. Financial Stability - Credit growth rebounded in 2024, reaching 9.4 percent, with stable asset quality in the financial sector [23][24]. 8. External Sector Dynamics - The current account deficit is projected to widen, with significant contributions from Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia [24][25]. 9. Growth Outlook - The growth outlook is positive, with consumption and investment expected to play a more significant role in the coming years [24][25]. 10. Spotlight on Migration - Migration remains a critical issue, with a significant portion of the population residing abroad, impacting labor markets and economic dynamics [28].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The World Bank has played a significant role in raising awareness and sharing knowledge about the learning crisis, particularly through its data and analytics, which have defined learning poverty and encouraged stakeholder engagement [17][30] - The World Bank is well-positioned to address the learning crisis due to its relationships with governments and its status as the largest external education funder, although its support could be more strategically focused [18][50] - The evaluation highlights the need for better monitoring and evaluation of learning outcomes, as many projects focus on outputs rather than actual changes in teaching and learning [19][40] Summary by Sections Overview - The World Bank has helped build awareness and convene stakeholders around quality basic education, emphasizing the importance of addressing the learning crisis [17] - The report identifies that the World Bank's financing for basic education typically tracks inputs and outputs, with limited assessment of changes in learning outcomes [19] Learning Crisis Context - Learning poverty was at 91% in low-income countries before the COVID-19 pandemic, worsening since then, particularly affecting disadvantaged children [21][22] - The report emphasizes that improving learning for all is more complex and costly than merely increasing access to education [23] Evaluation of World Bank's Contribution - The evaluation assesses the World Bank's support for basic education from 2012 to 2022, focusing on its systems approach and the effectiveness of its interventions [26] - The World Bank's portfolio for basic education operations during this period totaled $25 billion, with a concentration in the Africa Region [34] Recommendations - The report recommends developing country-specific education engagement plans that include systems-based enhancements to improve learning outcomes [58] - It also suggests collaborating with partners to close data gaps on learning outcomes and track progress in ending learning poverty [60][71]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a robust growth forecast for Albania at 3.3% in 2024, driven by private consumption, tourism, and construction [6][13][14] Core Insights - Albania's economy has shown resilience with a real GDP growth averaging 4.2% in 2022 and 2023, supported by prudent macroeconomic policies and proximity to the EU [7][9] - Key challenges include a declining population, poor labor quality, and rising fiscal pressures due to climate risks and debt refinancing [7][8] - The medium-term outlook hinges on the recovery of the global economy and the pace of structural reforms, particularly in the private sector [6][8] Summary by Sections Economic Performance - Albania's GDP growth is projected at 3.3% for 2024, with private consumption and investment as main drivers [6][13] - The employment rate reached 66.7% at the end of 2023, with a decline in poverty to 21.7% [9][11] - Inflation averaged around 2.7% in Q1 2024, showing a declining trend due to lower import prices and currency appreciation [9][11] Key Conditions and Challenges - The economy's resilience is attributed to strong tourism and remittances from the EU, but challenges include a declining population and low-quality job creation [7][8] - Fiscal space needs to be created through a Medium-Term Revenue Strategy to address rising fiscal pressures [7][8] Recent Developments - In H1 2024, Albania's economy grew by 3.6%, with services and construction leading the growth [9][11] - The current account deficit widened due to increased imports, but net foreign direct investment rose by 8.5% [11][12] Outlook - Growth is expected to remain robust at 3.3% in 2024, with poverty projected to decrease further [13][14] - The primary balance is expected to improve, and public debt is projected to decline in the medium term [14][15]