Other ESW Reports

305 items available

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https://hdl.handle.net/10986/2209

This includes miscellaneous ESW types and pre-2003 ESW type reports that are subsequently completed and released.

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Technical Assistance and Training in Integrated Provincial Planning : Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
(Washington, DC, 2008-12) World Bank
Traditionally both national and regional development planning in Vietnam has been driven by 'top-down' Central Government social and economic targets based on limited analytical investigation. However, with the advent of the free market economy in Vietnam since the late 1980s, vigorous global economic competitiveness and Vietnam's membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO), changes in national policy in Vietnam have now required a more decentralized approach to development planning based on the preparation of integrated regional development strategies. This change in policy direction requires the application of new and innovative approaches to development planning underpinned by 'best practice' tools and techniques. This new way of planning will more effectively manage current and future investment opportunities at the provincial and regional levels in Vietnam. This report is the culmination of the findings and recommendations of the project over this three month period noting that the training program itself involved a total of 45 participants from relevant provincial government and district level authorities in Quang Nam Province (QNP). Appendix two is a list of participants. It is emphasized that the method of training adopted in this technical assistance project was very interactive, it required individual and group tasks to be completed by participants based on the organization of participants into five teams, nomination of a team leader for each team and regular presentations of team activities to the whole group throughout the training program. The program ran for a total of seven days (7-9 October 2008 and 4-6 November 2008) with a 'report back' workshop session of all participants and other provincial government officials on 7 November 2008.
Indonesia : Selected Fiscal Issues in a New Era
(Washington, DC, 2003-02-14) World Bank
Despite the substantial progress in managing its fiscal challenges post-1997 financial crisis, Indonesia's risks to the budget have not disappeared, though the Government continues to be committed to fiscal consolidation. While debt sustainability is improving, the budget remains vulnerable to shocks, and, large non-discretionary spending (interest payments, transfers to the regions, personnel spending) still constrain the use of fiscal policy for macroeconomic stabilization, and social risk protection, and, as the fiscal situation improves, and decentralization proceeds, a rethinking of resource allocation becomes necessary. This report assesses Indonesia's progress in dealing with challenges that have altered the fiscal system since the crisis, and reviews options for fiscal consolidation, as well as sectoral issues in the new decentralized environment, including public expenditure management reforms. Suggestions include an increased revenue mobilization to make the budget more risk proof, and an improved tax administration, rather than streamlining the tax structure alone, while the Government's decision to eliminate the fuel subsidy remains critical for fiscal consolidation (which has little social implications). Moreover, the large interest payments burden incurred during the crisis, is crowding out development spending, and similarly, increased transfers to local governments are limiting discretionary spending (which could be accompanied by a decrease in central development spending in areas of regional responsibilities). A refinement of the budget management system is necessary, where the Finance Law would be instrumental in establishing accountability between the Executive, and Parliament.
Indonesia : The Imperative for Reform
(Washington, DC, 2001-11) World Bank
In the one hundred days since assuming office, the new administration of Megawati Soekarnoputri has made little progress on structural and governance reforms. The events of September 11 and the slowdown in the global economy worsened the investment climate in Indonesia, adding to the government's already formidable array of challenges. Indonesia's recovery has lagged behind its neighbors and over half its population vulnerable to poverty, more than any other crisis country. Moreover, its fragile banking and corporate sectors, and the precarious state of its government finances, make the country highly vulnerable to risks--with immediate implications for fiscal sustainability. Donors need to be realistic about what is feasible, given strong vested interests, severe institutional weaknesses, the uncertainties arising from decentralization, and a turbulent transition to democracy. Progress is most needed in the key areas of structural reforms, good governance, and empowering and investing in the poor. Together with fiscal sustainability, they are consistent with the premise that stability, growth, and effective government are the key ingredients for long-lasting and sustainable poverty reduction.
Thailand : Country Development Partnership for Competitiveness
(Washington, DC, 2001-06-13) World Bank
Competitiveness has emerged as a key issue confronting policymakers in Thailand. The Government's reform program will be extended by explicitly incorporating into the competitiveness framework measures that address the remaining constraints on competitiveness. The three critical areas that could constrain Thailand's medium term competitiveness include: 1) The need to strengthen the knowledge base--addressing the skills gap, and improving quality and coverage of education; mainstreaming information technology; and enhancing science and technological capability. 2) The need to modernize the infrastructure regulatory framework to improve the efficiency and delivery of public services. A modern and efficient physical infrastructure will help to reduce the cost associated with infrastructure bottlenecks faced by Thai firms. 3) The need to further improve the business environment and enhance competition--corporate governance, trade and investment regimes, competition policy--so that scarce labor and capital can be utilized in the most productive sectors. In addition, an appropriate macroeconomic environment, by signaling the right relative prices (domestic interest rates and exchange rates), will enable Thai firms to respond to emerging market trends.
Malaysia : Social and Structural Review Update
(Washington, DC, 2001-01-17) World Bank
A Structural Policy Review (SPR) for Malaysia, prepared in late 1998 and early 1999, was shared with the government of Malaysia in February 1999 and subsequently appeared in gray cover in June 1999 (report no. 18647). The report covered developments in the following six areas: 1) maintaining sound macroeconomic policies and resuming growth; 2) managing the social impact of the crisis; 3) financial sector restructuring; 4) corporate restructuring; 5) strengthening corporate governance and competitiveness; and 6) strengthening public sector management and performance. The SPR examined these short and medium term structural issues as they came to light during the first 14 months of the crisis. At the time the report was written the government had formulated responses to the crisis across a wide variety of policy instruments. Since then, however, events have evolved. The objective of this report is to review the progress made over the last year on structural issues in each of the six areas covered in the original SPR and place these in the context of what is happening a) in other countries in the region managing the same crisis and b) in the discussions of the new international financial architecture. This perspective is used to assess the quality of the current recovery and structural basis for sustained medium term growth and poverty reduction.
Vietnam 2010 : Entering the 21st Century
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2000-11-29) World Bank; Asian Development Bank; United Nations Development Program
The study outlines the socioeconomic development strategy for Vietnam, during the first decade of the twenty first century, envisaging sustainable economic development, to rapidly adjust to social stability, while maintaining cultural, and traditional ties. The aim is to become a socialist market economy, fully integrated into the global economy, internationally competitive, with characteristics of an industrialized, and knowledge-based society within twenty years. This vision articulates the eradication of hunger, and hard-core poverty, emphasizing universal lower secondary education. Likewise, it intends to reduce child malnutrition, increase life expectancy, and raise access to clean water in urban areas. However, the vision requires a doubling of the GDP by 2010, through increased investments and growing exports, declining agricultural inputs, but increasing the industrial, and services share. Part I of the report, still undergoing extensive consultations within the Government, and civil society, provides the strategic directions for the country, examining enterprise development, rural development, human and social development, infrastructure, environmental quality, and governance. Part II addresses stronger partnerships to help the Government implement this strategy, through a series of thematic notes, which describe donor participation, and international development assistance.
Indonesia - Accelerating Recovery in Uncertain Times : Brief for the Consultative Group in Indonesia
(Washington, DC, 2000-10-13) World Bank
The study reviews Indonesia's recovery so far, which in spite of only modest growth, is taking hold, and its base has expanded beyond consumption. With inflation under control, real wages are rising again, and poverty declined from a peak of over twenty three percent. The rapid export growth, and high oil prices were factors to offset capital outflows, thus, Indonesia's cushion of international reserves increased, lowering the deficit, and limiting financing needs, which resulted in bank, and corporate emergence. But financial markets were doubtful of the real economic developments, aggravated by political turmoil, and the developments in East Timor, which created market uncertainty. However, the study reflects optimism on the country's agenda, encouraged by the Government's program to accelerate recovery, with broad domestic and international support. The study examines policy options for fiscal sustainability, and the role of donors, and, assesses poverty within a constructive strategy for the future, exploring as well governance improvement through legal and judiciary reforms, suggesting the rule of law is still far from being assured. The study recommends changes within the political process, and to its legal system and civil service, as well as changes from the role of the military, to the way Government handles its finances.
Vietnam : Export Performance in 1999 and Beyond
(Washington, DC, 2000-06) World Bank
Changes in trade policies have been an essential component of the "doi moi" policy implemented by the Government of Vietnam since 1986. Over the years, most export quotas have been lifted and export taxes have been reduced to generally low levels. In addition, export activities by the private sector (both domestic and foreign) have been increasingly encouraged, thus breaking the trade monopoly of a small number of state-owned enterprises. These reforms -together with sound macroeconomic management- have led to a rapid export and import growth. The structure of exports also changed. During the 1990s, Vietnam started to exploit its comparative advantage in labor-intensive manufactures. Export growth was led by light manufactures, dominated by the garment and footwear sectors. Also remarkable, despite the shrinking share of agricultural goods in total exports, was the strong rise in the volume of rice exports. In only few years Vietnam turned from being a net rice importer into the world's second largest exporter. The Asian crisis has interrupted Vietnam's trade expansion. In 1998, exports increased by a sluggish 2.1 percent. To avoid an external deficit, the Government imposed additional import restrictions which, together with slumping domestic demand, led to a 0.8% decrease in the value of imports. Of course, this downturn in export performance was not unique to Vietnam. It was observed across Asia. What is surprising, however, is the exceptional magnitude of the recovery in 1999. Table 3 shows that in 1999, Vietnam's exports grew by an impressive 23.4 percent, much faster than in most other Asian countries. While Indonesia is still struggling to recover from the crisis, exports expanded at a quick pace in Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines. None of these countries, however, came close to Vietnam's astonishing rate of export growth. As can be seen in this report, Vietnam's recovery is not exclusively an oil-related phenomenon. Non-oil exports also grew at a fast 16.3 percent. This paper takes a detailed look at the factors that explain this strong export performance in 1999 and asks whether such a high rate of export growth can be sustained in the year 2000 and beyond. The analysis relies on two type of sources: official trade data collected by the General Statistical Office (GSO) and Vietnam Customs, as well as information collected during a visit of 16 companies in the footwear and garment industries in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bien Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City in May-June 2000. The visit included seven private domestic companies, four private foreign-owned enterprises, and five public enterprises. All these companies were among the largest and fastest growing exporters in 1999.
Indonesia : Managing Government Debt and its Risks
(Washington, DC, 2000-05-22) World Bank
The Asian economic crisis has left Indonesia's Government deeply in debt. Government debt has increased from 23 percent of GDP before the crisis to about 83 percent of GDP in early 2000. Nearly three quarters of this increase is domestic debt to pay for bank restructuring. Though very large, the government's debt is manageable. Actions to rebuild investor confidence, keep real interest rates down, and renew growth are necessary. Moreover, actions are also needed in the following areas: 1) generating significant primary fiscal surpluses; 2) containing off-budget losses and counteracting fiscal risks; 3) aggressively selling government assets to reduce government debt; 4) rescheduling existing debt under international rules and seeking the best possible terms for new borrowing; 5) building capacity to manage debt well; and 6) establishing an effective domestic bond market. The report concludes that Indonesia can overcome its government debt burden with renewed growth and prudent fiscal management. But this will not be easily or quickly achieved. Sustained fiscal surpluses and asset sales will be important. So will actions to avoid additional new government debt and strengthen debt management capacity.
Philippines - Growth with Equity : The Remaining Agenda - A World Bank Social and Structural Review
(Washington, DC, 2000-05-03) World Bank
The report highlights how much recent achievements, in terms of growth, and poverty reduction, owe to the progress the country has made on a broad front of policy issues, such as openness to trade, investment, and competition, as well as education, and financial regulation. Nonetheless, progress has been uneven in several fronts, such as the need to intensify trade liberalization, and domestic competition; to strengthen governance across financial, corporate, and public sectors; to broaden asset ownership, and access by the poor to both tangible assets - land - and intangible ones, such as education. Beyond the financial crises, the report addresses medium-term challenges to face poverty reduction, and economic performance, and, strengthen corporate governance, and financial development, through financial reforms. It calls for the provision of public goods, delivery of effective justice, and improvement of revenue performance, through improved fiscal consolidation to attract foreign assistance. Among the recommendations, the need for savings mobilization is suggested to sustain economic growth, through diversification of savings instruments, and increased trade liberalization.