Miscellaneous Knowledge Notes

647 items available

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https://hdl.handle.net/10986/9388

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Saving Lives While Raising Revenue: Opportunities in Brazil’s Reform of Indirect Taxes to Improve Tobacco, Alcohol, and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) Excise Taxes
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-11-04) Maldonado, N.; Blecher, E.; Fleischhaker, C.
Taxes and prices of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Brazil are low compared to international peers. The ongoing landmark reform of indirect taxes (PLP 68/2024 and forthcoming Ordinary Law) provides an excellent opportunity to put in place well-designed excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol and SSBs.If well implemented, reforms of the tax structure and increases in tax rates can make them more effective at improving population health and raising additional tax revenue. Global evidence to support reforms is strong, supporting the use of well-designed and administered health taxes.Following global best practices, it is recommended that health taxes are focused on specific taxes or, when applied in mixed systems, that the specific taxes comprise a larger component of the excise tax than the ad valorem component. Tax rates, particularly for specific taxes, need to be increased significantly to align Brazil with the prices of international peers, and indexed to inflation plus three percentage points to protect real values of tax over time, and to reduce the affordability of tobacco, alcohol, and SSBs.
Sub-national Differences in Human Capital in the CEMAC Region
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-22) World Bank
Countries in the CEMAC region could strengthen their human capital by investing more in education, health and social assistance. A human capital index of between 0.27 and 0.46 suggests that residents of CEMAC countries achieve between a quarter and a half of their potential. In addition, sub-national analysis reveals significant disparities within the countries. Gaps between urban and rural areas, as well as other regional divergences, generate inequalities that can be mitigated by more strategic and efficient spending. This report presents heat maps for different dimensions of human capital available for the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad and the Republic of Congo. The analysis could not for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, in the absence of recent sub-national data.
Thailand Monthly Economic Monitor: 29 August, 2024
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-09-03) World Bank
Growth accelerated in Q2 to 2.3 percent, slightly above expectations, but the recovery continued to lag ASEAN peers. In June, data indicated a subdued recovery, with activity slowing and consumer confidence declining amid heightened political uncertainty. While manufacturing growth expanded modestly for the full quarter, June activity data shows a renewed decline, and the growth in tourist arrivals slowed. The trade deficit persisted, driven by lagging export recovery and rising imports, particularly from China. Inflation edged up slightly to 0.8 percent (y/y) but remained among the lowest in emerging markets. Fiscal spending accelerated despite political uncertainty; the Bank of Thailand maintained its policy rate while easing credit card repayment regulations to support households. The Thai baht appreciated, driven by expectations of the Federal Reserve’s easing cycle and a persistent current account surplus.
Implications of Heightened Global Uncertainty for the East Asia and Pacific Region
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-08-26) Ha, Jongrim; Islamaj, Ergys; Mattoo, Aaditya
Macroeconomic, financial, and policy-related uncertainty have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic globally and in individual developing economies in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region. Uncertainty shocks can transmit across borders and their economic consequence is quite sizeable, affecting both the financial sector and the real economy in the EAP region.
The Role of Nature-based Solutions in Disaster Risk Management in Fragile, Conflict and Violence-Affected Countries
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-08-20) World Bank
The World Bank (WB) estimates that, by 2030, up to two-thirds of the global extreme poor will be living in fragile and conflict-affected situations. Of the top 20 countries most vulnerable to climate change, 14 are considered by the WB as fragile and conflict-affected. Households affected by conflict experience greater economic losses and longer recovery time in the aftermath of a disaster. NBS is an umbrella term for a set of interventions that seek to protect, manage, and/or restore natural systems, while addressing multiple development goals such as climate and disaster risk resilience, economic and social prosperity, food security and biodiversity conservation. By providing targeted support and expertise, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is instrumental in overcoming the unique challenges of FCV contexts, ensuring that NBS interventions are not only feasible but also effective in building resilience and stability in these vulnerable regions.
High Integrity, High Impact: The World Bank Engagement Roadmap for Carbon Markets
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-08-06) World Bank
Carbon markets could be a game changer in advancing climate action. But they have to be trustworthy, transparent, result in real climate mitigation and bring tangible benefits, especially for developing countries, if they are to make a real difference. Like any effective market, incentives need to be well-aligned, both buyers and sellers need confidence in the quality of the product and the price it will get, and that the transactions themselves are sound and sustainable. The World Bank Group (the Bank) has been supporting countries by providing technical assistance and financing to enable countries to generate, and now to sell, high integrity carbon credits in the forests and other sectors, and bring benefits to people and communities. Through this support countries have generated unimpeachable credits - namely, of high quality and high integrity and developed country systems to share benefits and fairly compensate people and communities. High-integrity carbon markets can be a win-win for people and the planet, potentially generating millions, if not billions, for countries on the pathway to low carbon development. While there are challenges, the potential of carbon markets needs to be tapped and fully utilized.
Thailand Monthly Economic Monitor, 30 July 2024
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-31) World Bank
Recent indicators of economic activity point to a gradual recovery, supported by improvement in manufacturing production, goods exports, and tourism. The number of tourist arrivals expanded, nearing pre-pandemic levels. However, private consumption moderated. Growth is projected to accelerate from 1.9 percent in 2023 to 2.4 percent in 2024. The Bank of Thailand has maintained a neutral policy rate and anticipates inflation to return to its target by Q4 2024. The banking sector remained stable with adequate buffers, though vulnerabilities in household debt and small and medium enterprise (SME) non-performing loans (NPLs) persist. The government has approved a flagship Digital Wallet program, expected to boost gross domestic product (GDP) in the short term and rolled out a soft loan program to support SMEs. The Thai baht depreciated due to delays in the Fed’s easing cycle and ongoing concerns about the Thai economy.
Regional Poverty and Inequality Update Spring 2024
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-12) World Bank
This is the April 2024 issue of the bi-annual Regional Poverty and Inequality Update for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), which summarizes the main facts related to poverty and inequality in LAC using the new wave of harmonized household surveys from the Socio-Economic Database for Latin America and the Caribbean (SEDLAC). This brief was produced by the Poverty and Equity Global Practice in the Latin America and Caribbean Region of the World Bank.
Vietnam Macro Monitoring
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-09) World Bank
Industrial production showed a significant increase, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growing by 2.6 percent month-on-month (m/m) and 8.9 percent year-on-year (y/y), attributed to improved exports, particularly in manufacturing sectors. Retail sales experienced a modest recovery, growth rate indicated that consumer demand remains relatively weak. Both exports and imports experienced a surge, with exports and imports growing. The y/y growth rates were also substantial, suggesting increased demand from trade partners. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitments and disbursements were solid, with the majority of FDI flowing into manufacturing and real estate sectors. Inflation rates remained stable, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at 4.4 percent y/y and core inflation slightly moderating. The Vietnamese Dong (VND) continued to face depreciation pressure against the US Dollar (USD), and the interbank interest rates reflected a tightening of liquidity by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV). Public revenue collection improved, but public expenditures and investment disbursements showed a slower pace. The government and SBV proposed measures to support the economy, including extending VAT reduction, reducing lending interest rates, and advancing the implementation of revised real estate laws. The report also notes that while there is a recovery in external demand, domestic demand and consumption show mixed signs. The authorities' measures aim to support the economy, but there are concerns about the impact of a strong US dollar and interest rate reductions on the exchange rate. The recommendation is to continue supporting aggregate demand through capital expenditures.
AI Revolution in Education: What You Need to Know
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-01) Molina, E.; Cobo, C.; Pineda, J.; Rovner, H.
The AI revolution is transforming education at an unprecedented pace, offering opportunities to personalize learning experiences, support teachers, and optimize education management. This brief explores nine key AI-driven innovations in Latin America and the Caribbean, divided into solutions for teachers, students, and administration. For teachers, AI-powered mentors and feedback systems are improving teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development. AI-assisted lesson planning and automated administrative tasks are empowering educators to focus on teaching and mentoring students. Students benefit from AI-powered tutoring systems that adapt to their individual needs. The brief also examines the use of generative AI for assignments and the need to foster responsible AI use. In education administration, AI streamlines processes, identifies at-risk students, and optimizes resource allocation, such as matching teachers to vacancies and students to schools. Navigating the promise and challenges of AI requires addressing key issues like digital divide, ethical governance, and limited evidence on effectiveness at scale. AI should enhance human expertise, not replace it. Policymakers must proactively shape the responsible development of AI to create an inclusive, innovative future of learning for all.