Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the financial sector in Yemen, but it highlights the critical need for reforms and regulatory frameworks to stabilize the sector and promote economic recovery [17][28]. Core Insights - The Yemeni economy is heavily reliant on cash due to years of conflict, which has hindered the development of formal banking and financial infrastructure, leading to limited financial inclusion and widespread informality [17][18]. - The ongoing conflict has resulted in two parallel central banks, creating inconsistencies in regulatory standards and complicating compliance for financial institutions [19][20]. - Money exchangers have become increasingly important in the Yemeni economy, providing essential financial services and credit that traditional banks are unable to offer due to liquidity constraints and operational challenges [22][26]. - The demand for credit in Yemen significantly exceeds supply, with estimates suggesting that the demand is 5 to 8 times greater than the available credit, highlighting a critical gap in financial access for businesses [28]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - The report emphasizes the deepening reliance on cash in Yemen's economy and the limitations of the formal banking sector, which has led to a significant portion of economic activity occurring outside the regulatory framework [17][18]. Chapter 1: The Central Bank - The chapter discusses the dual central banking system in Yemen, with CBY-Aden recognized internationally and CBY-Sana'a under Houthi control, leading to regulatory inconsistencies and challenges in compliance [19][20]. Chapter 2: The Banking Sector - The banking sector's limited footprint is highlighted, with a significant decline in risk-weighted assets and a shift towards government securities, indicating a state of financial repression [21]. - The introduction of an anti-usury law poses additional challenges for traditional banks, potentially diminishing their role in the economy [21]. Chapter 3: Money Transfer & Exchange Services - Money exchangers have emerged as key players in the financial landscape, providing services that banks cannot, and their liquidity-focused business model gives them an advantage in the cash-dominated economy [22][26]. - The chapter underscores the need for regulatory frameworks to oversee money exchangers, as their unregulated status poses risks to financial stability [23][24]. Chapter 4: Access to Finance - The report identifies significant barriers to credit access for firms, with a focus on the unmet demand for credit and the role of microfinance institutions in filling some gaps [28]. - Recommendations include promoting digital financial services and improving credit guarantee schemes to enhance access to finance for SMEs [32].

Policy Research Working Paper 10964 Yielding Insights Machine Learning-Driven Imputations to Filling Agricultural Data Gaps Ismaël Yacoubou Djima Marco Tiberti Talip Kilic WORLD BANK GROUP Development Economics Development Data Group November 2024 lic Disclosure Authori ic Disclosure Authori Policy Research Working Paper 10964 Abstract This paper addresses the challenge of missing crop yield data in large-scale agricultural surveys, where crop-cutting, the most accurate method for yield measurement, is ofte ...

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The paper emphasizes the interdependence of product market regulations (PMR) and labor market regulations (LMR), highlighting the necessity for tailored approaches to labor market promotion rather than uniform policies [2][9] - It identifies that PMR can enhance competition, leading to increased productivity and consumer welfare, while also positively impacting employment and wages [11][12] - The review underscores the importance of understanding the interactions between PMR and LMR for effective policy-making aimed at improving labor market outcomes [19][21] Summary by Sections Introduction - The introduction outlines the significance of regulations in shaping efficient and inclusive labor markets, focusing on the impacts of PMR and LMR on labor market outcomes [8] Methodology - The methodology section clarifies that the review aims to provide a comprehensive picture of how PMR and LMR affect various labor market outcomes across different contexts [26] Product Market Regulations - PMR significantly influence labor market outcomes by altering competition levels, which in turn affects employment demand and wage dynamics [41][42] - The review discusses various types of PMR, including those that promote competition and those that liberalize firm operations, and their implications for labor market conditions [23][36] Labor Market Regulations - The effects of LMR, such as minimum wage laws and employment protection legislation, are analyzed, showing their impact on living standards, productivity, and social cohesion [24][15] - Evidence suggests that binding LMR can enhance job security but may also have mixed effects on wages and productivity [16][17] Interaction between PMR and LMR - The report highlights the need for coherent design of PMR and LMR reforms, as their interactions can either mitigate or exacerbate labor market responses to regulatory changes [19][20] - It emphasizes that the effectiveness of PMR and LMR is context-dependent, varying by country and market conditions [35][44] Conclusion - The conclusion reiterates the importance of understanding the complex relationships between PMR and LMR to formulate effective labor market policies [25]

ORLD BANK GROUP 6 R UE 2024 ★ GHANA RBON Public Disclosure Authorized ublic Disclosure Authorized ublic Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized © 2024 The World Bank Group 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 | Internet: www.worldbank.org Disclaimer The content of this report does not reflect the official opinion of the project sponsors or their partner organization. Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the authors. Please cite ...

Investment Rating - The report indicates a strong commitment to mobilizing private sector solutions for development, with a record investment of $56 billion in fiscal year 2024, including over $22 billion mobilized from partners [3][24][31]. Core Insights - The World Bank Group is enhancing its operational effectiveness to address intertwined global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and food insecurity, with a commitment to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030 [4][16]. - The IFC is focusing on innovative financial instruments and partnerships to boost private sector investment in emerging markets, aiming to increase annual guarantee issuance to $20 billion by 2030 [10][38]. - The report emphasizes the importance of digital transformation, with a digital lending portfolio totaling $5.6 billion as of June 2024, aimed at establishing the foundations of a digital economy in developing countries [17][19]. Summary by Sections Leadership Perspectives - The leadership highlights the need for a better bank to tackle pressing global challenges and emphasizes the importance of partnerships with the private sector [4][10][20]. Results - The World Bank Group committed $117.5 billion in fiscal 2024, with $31.7 billion from IFC, reflecting a significant increase in financing to address development needs [4][56]. - The IFC's net income for fiscal 2024 was $1.485 billion, with total assets amounting to $108.187 billion [58]. Strategy in Action - The IFC is channeling 45% of its annual financing to climate action by 2025, focusing on both mitigation and adaptation efforts [15][7]. - The report outlines the establishment of the Private Sector Investment Lab to address barriers to private sector investment in emerging markets [38][39]. Critical Functions - The report discusses the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database (GEMS) Consortium, which aims to enhance transparency and mobilize private investment in emerging markets [39]. - The Knowledge Compact for Action is introduced as a strategy to leverage knowledge and expertise in crafting development plans [40][41].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the Australian general insurance industry Core Insights - Australian general insurers are facing challenges such as frequent natural disasters, rising claims costs, and regulatory scrutiny, which are impacting their financial performance and making insurance less affordable for consumers [2][4] - To improve productivity, insurers should consider three major levers: enhancing labor productivity, improving IT productivity, and optimizing third-party spending [5][10] Summary by Sections Industry Challenges - The underwriting costs for general insurers have increased by approximately 20% over the last seven years due to climate risks and the need for compliance and technology modernization [3] - Costs have risen by about 20% for incumbents and 37% for international insurers, while challenger businesses have seen costs more than double [4][6] Productivity Levers - Insurers are expected to focus on efficiency and productivity improvements over the next three to five years, learning from global peers [5] - The three primary levers identified for driving productivity are: 1. **Labor Productivity**: Aligning 50-60% of the cost base to global best practices can lead to productivity improvements of 20-40% through zero-based redesign and strategic partnerships [11][12] 2. **IT Productivity**: Targeting 20-30% of the cost base through technology modernization and simplification can yield significant productivity gains [15][17] 3. **Third-Party Spend**: Optimizing procurement and external spending can target an additional 10-20% of the cost base [10][15] Implementation Strategies - Effective performance management is crucial for translating strategy into action, with global insurers demonstrating success through ambitious targets and visibility of key performance indicators [18] - Insurers are encouraged to ask critical questions regarding their productivity strategies and the role of technology in enhancing efficiency [18]

WORLD BANK GROUP EALTH TAXES A series on Fiscal Policy & Health Knowledge Note Saving Lives while Raising Revenue: Opportunities in Brazil's reform of indirect taxes to improve Tobacco, Alcohol, and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Excise Taxes Disclosure Auth olic Disclosure Autho | --- | --- | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...

olic Disclosure Auth The regulation of platform-based work: Recent regulatory initiatives and insights for developing countries olic Disclosure Authoriz olic Disclosure Autho Disclosyre Authoriz Maho Hatayama Dagmara Maj-Swistak ORLD BANK GROUP Table of Contents Executive Summary 6 1. Introduction 8 2. How are labor regulations adapted to protect platform-based work? 11 3. What can we learn from specific regulatory attempts? 14 3.1. Classifying employment status for platform-based work 14 3.2. Improving wor ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The report identifies three broad categories of cybersecurity risks associated with AI code generation models: 1) generating insecure code, 2) models being vulnerable to attacks, and 3) downstream cybersecurity impacts [2][4][26]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - Recent advancements in AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), have enhanced the ability to generate computer code, which presents both opportunities and cybersecurity risks [2][12]. Introduction - AI code generation models are increasingly adopted in software development, with a significant percentage of developers using these tools [10][11]. Background - Code generation models include specialized models for coding and general-purpose LLMs, which have seen rapid improvements and adoption in recent years [14][15]. Increasing Industry Adoption of AI Code Generation Tools - The adoption of AI coding tools is driven by productivity gains, with studies indicating that developers can complete tasks significantly faster when using these tools [23][25]. Risks Associated with AI Code Generation - The report highlights the risks of insecure code generation, model vulnerabilities, and potential downstream impacts on cybersecurity as these models become integral to the software supply chain [26][27]. Code Generation Models Produce Insecure Code - Research indicates that a substantial percentage of code generated by AI models contains vulnerabilities, with various studies showing rates of insecure code ranging from 40% to over 70% [29][30][69]. Models' Vulnerability to Attack - AI models are susceptible to various types of attacks, including data poisoning and backdoor attacks, which can compromise their outputs [33][35]. Downstream Impacts - The increasing reliance on AI-generated code may shift the vulnerability landscape, potentially leading to new classes of vulnerabilities and impacting future model training [39][40]. Challenges in Assessing the Security of Code Generation Models - Evaluating the security of AI-generated code is complicated by factors such as programming language differences, model types, and the lack of standardized assessment tools [41][42]. Evaluation Results - The evaluation of five AI models revealed a high rate of unsuccessful verification, with approximately 48% of generated code snippets containing bugs [64][69]. Policy Implications and Further Research - The report emphasizes the need for proactive policy measures to address the cybersecurity risks associated with AI-generated code, including the responsibility of AI developers and organizations to ensure code security [83][84][86].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The Foundational Learning Compact (FLC) aims to strengthen education systems and improve learning outcomes globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries [40][41] - The FLC has catalyzed approximately $16.5 billion in funding through the World Bank, benefiting over 36 million students and 5 million teachers across 86 countries [78][79] - The report emphasizes the urgency of addressing learning poverty, which risks significant future economic losses estimated at $21 trillion [17][20] Summary by Sections Trust Fund Overview and Highlights - The FLC supports foundational learning, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills as essential for overall educational development [80] - The FLC has awarded 39 catalytic grants totaling around $21 million to 29 countries, with a significant increase in disbursements by nearly 20% compared to the previous period [46][47] Implementation Progress - The Accelerator Program has set learning targets and developed Investment Cases in several countries, enhancing accountability and likelihood of achieving learning outcomes [32][54] - The FLC has produced 57 country briefs using data from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 2021, supporting national learning assessment systems [33][62] Risks and Challenges - The report does not provide specific details on risks and challenges Looking Ahead - Future activities will continue to focus on improving foundational learning outcomes, with an emphasis on collaboration with global education partners [42][43] Trust Fund Financials - The FLC has leveraged significant funding from various donors, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office [48][50]