Sector/Thematic Studies

6,525 items available

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2110

Economic and Sectoral Work are original analytic reports authored by the World Bank and intended to influence programs and policy in client countries. They convey Bank-endorsed recommendations and represent the formal opinion of a World Bank unit on the topic. This set includes the sectoral and thematic studies which are not Core Diagnostic Studies. Other analytic and advisory activities (AAA), including technical assistance studies, are included in these sectoral/thematic collections.

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Equitable Growth, Finance & Institutions Insight

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Infrastructure Tokenization: Does Blockchain Have a Role in the Financing of Infrastructure?

(World Bank, Washington DC, 2023-03-22) World Bank Group

The purpose of this report is to assess whether digitizing the equity or debt financing used for infrastructure projects using blockchain, that is, tokenized infrastructure, provides enough benefits to justify the use of this technology. The information presented here aims to inform the World Bank whether it should explore the possibility of tokenizing one of its infrastructure projects. The conclusions are based on interviews with tokenization start-ups, experts, and the review of current and planned regulatory frameworks in selected jurisdictions and use cases/pilots to date.
South Asia Second Regional Gender Action Plan (RGAP) II, 2023–2028

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2023-03-16) World Bank Group

The focus and approach of South Asia Second Regional Gender Action Plan (SAR RGAP) are based on an analysis of regional trends in key gender outcomes in South Asia, an assessment of SAR RGAP, and an extensive set of consultations, including country-level consultations conducted across the WBG. Implementation of SAR RGAP will take place in the context of the WBG’s broader strategy for gender and the latest International Development Association (IDA) commitments. The World Bank Group Gender Strategy prioritizes four domains of gender equality: (a) improving human endowments, (b) more and better jobs for men and women, (c) women’s access to productive assets, and (d) improving women’s voice and agency and engaging men and boys (WBG 2015). An update of the Gender Strategy is currently under preparation, with completion expected in 2024. SAR RGAP aligns with this broader strategy but is also selective and therefore focuses on the most pressing gender gaps in the region. SAR RGAP also follows the December 2021 IDA replenishment, aligning with all eight of its policy commitments for gender: (i) investing in women’s empowerment, (ii) scaling up productive economic inclusion, (iii) expanding childcare, (iv) supporting medium, and high-skilled employment opportunities for women, (v) closing the gap in digital technology, (vi) strengthening women’s land rights, (vii) increasing support for prevention of and response to GBV, and (viii) implementing fiscal policy and budget systems to close gender gaps.
Islamic Finance and the Development of Malaysia’s Halal Economy

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2022-10) World Bank Group

The halal economy (HE) plays an important role in Malaysia’s economic growth, contributing 7.5 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as of 2020. Under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, 2021-2025 (12MP), one of the key strategies to boost Malaysia’s economic growth is enhancing the competitiveness of the halal industry to capture a more significant share of the global halal market. The term halal refers to anything that is permissible or lawful under Islamic Law that dictates the way of life of a Muslim (a follower of the Islamic faith). Hence, the scope of the HE is broad and can be defined as an industry that is involved in the provision of halal products and services, including food, clothing and fashion, cosmetics and personal care, travel, and financial services. Consequently, Islamic finance is both parts of the broader HE (Hassan et al., 2021) and can facilitate the development of the HE. This report requested by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) explores the role of Islamic finance in supporting the development of Malaysia’s HE with the objective of informing policy discourse on enhancing existing strategies to increase access to Islamic finance solutions to underserved HE enterprises. The report comprises the following chapters, (1) the current state of the HE; (2) the financing ecosystem of Malaysia’s HE, (3) enhancing role of Islamic finance for the HE in Malaysia; and concludes in Chapter 4 with a set of recommendations for stakeholders in Malaysia. While the recommendations focus on Malaysia, they may also be relevant for other developing economies where the HE and Islamic finance are prominen
Rwanda Economic Update, September 2022: Boosting Exports Through Technology, Innovation, and Trade in Services

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2022-09) World Bank Group

Rwanda’s economy staged a strong recovery in 2021. Inflationary pressures are mounting, leading the National Bank of Rwanda to tighten monetary policy. Looking ahead, economic growth is expected to moderate in 2022-24, weighed down by the war in Ukraine. Fiscal consolidation and spending efficiencies will be introduced with the FY22-23 budget to preserve space for growth-enhancing investment. Rwandan firms’ participation in international trade has increased dramatically. Econometric analysis shows that obtaining International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification, adoption of e-commerce and access to credit are significantly co-related to a Rwandan firm’s participation in exports. Innovation is significantly related to exports, although the relationship varies by sector and type of innovation. Rwanda is facing a skills deficit that, if not remedied, will constrain potential growth for high-skill services exports. Rwanda’s efforts to achieve international cooperation on services trade policies have been mixed. Rwanda should address its skills shortage by recognizing qualifications of regional professionals and abolishing work-permit regimes for all eligible regional professionals. However, the attraction of regional services providers should be accompanied by aggressive measures to help expand the number of Rwandan professionals.
Strengthening Hydromet and Multi-hazard Early Warning Services in Uzbekistan: A Road Map

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2022-08) World Bank Group

The road map presents a potential pathway to strengthen Uzbekistan’s national hydrometeorological (hydromet) and multi-hazard early warning systems and services, based on the needs of the user community. It is based on a technical evaluation and assessment of the needs and capacities of Uzhydromet which, as the main service provider in Uzbekistan, issues meteorological and hydrological information, forecasts and warnings. This road map identifies gaps and challenges in the production and delivery of weather, climate, and hydrological information and services, and proposes a strategy for improving the country’s institutional capacity in support of saving lives, protecting property and livelihoods, and social and economic development
Gabon Economic Update - Trading Agricultural Commodities: Reducing Petty Harassment

(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2022-06) World Bank Group

Gabon’s economic recovery has been intensifying, with oil and other commodities projected to drive GDP growth to 2.7 percent in 2022, up from 1.5 percent in 2021. The fiscal stance improved in 2021 amid contained spending and is expected to turn into a surplus in 2022. While debt-to-GDP remains sustainable amidst gradual economic recovery and high oil prices, debt arrears remain high. The uptick in oil prices compensated for the decline in production and led to a trade surplus in 2021, which is expected to remain high in 2022. Food insecurity could be exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine as Gabon is highly vulnerable to shocks in the agricultural sector. The government has adopted plans to increase agricultural production. Despite the government’s efforts to increase agricultural production, Gabon’s agricultural trade remains hampered by structural bottlenecks related to weak supporting infrastructure, the high number of intermediaries, and price uncertainty. Informal payments and obstacles for imports into Gabon, including petty harassment, add to already high import duties and can contribute to informality, unpredictability, and delays in border crossing and transport network. Reducing petty harassment would support trade in agriculture, reduce the overall cost of living for the population, and foster economic growth in Gabon.
Liberia Economic Update: Investing in Human Capital for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2022-06) World Bank Group

This is the third edition of the Liberia Economic Update (LEU), a series of annual reports that assesses recent economic developments in Liberia and assists the government and its development partners in identifying emerging issues and addressing persistent challenges. It presents a broad overview of Liberia’s macroeconomic context, assesses the macro-fiscal and growth outlook over the short and medium terms, and sheds light on the state of human capital in Liberia. The rebound in global and domestic activity and higher prices of Liberia’s main exports helped improve the country’s economic performance in 2021. The government’s fiscal position improved in 2021 due to strong revenue growth and tight expenditure management. The appreciation of the Liberian dollar, coupled with prudent fiscal and monetary policies, helped stem inflation in 2021. Liberia’s current account deficit widened despite stronger export growth. As domestic activity picked up, increased exports were offset by the surge in imports. Liberia’s medium-term outlook is positive but subject to significant downside risks and uncertainties. The positive outlook is underpinned by significant tailwinds for mining, the government’s planned scale-up of public investment, and the implementation of structural reforms in key sectors, including agriculture and energy. On the downside, there are risks and uncertainties related to the path of the pandemic at home and abroad, the war in Ukraine, and the upcoming general elections in 2023.
Turkish Cypriot Economy: Identifying and Analyzing Priority Agri-Food Value Chains

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2022-03) World Bank Group

Cyprus joined the European Union (EU) in 2004 as a de-facto divided island. The agriculture sector is an important driver for the Turkish Cypriot (TC) economy. The sector has significant linkages to other economic sectors, such as food processing and tourism. Manufacturing, which includes agri-food processing, produces predominantly dairy products and therefore relies heavily on domestic milk production. Agriculture also performs important social protection functions by providing income-generating activities for the rural population, thereby improving household consumption, food security, and the accumulation of durable assets. Improving agri-food value chain linkages can increase farm incomes, improve sustainability, and support the agriculture sector’s contribution to the economy. An analysis of value chains will help to identify business-to-business relationships that connect the chain, methods for increasing efficiency and profitability, and ways to enable businesses to increase productivity and add value. The report consists of three sections: a macro analysis focusing on competitiveness and comparative advantage analysis, a value chain analysis of the TCc halloumi/hellim subsector, and a value chain analysis of the TCc carob subsector. The latter two sections contain specific recommendations and actions to strengthen value chain competitiveness.
Charting a Course Towards Universal Social Protection: Resilience, Equity, and Opportunity for All

(World Bank Group, Washington, DC, 2022) World Bank Group

Charting a Course Towards Universal Social Protection: Resilience, Equity, and Opportunity for All, known as the Social Protection and Jobs Compass updates the World Bank strategy for social protection amid rapid change both within the sector and beyond. The Compass puts at its heart the vision of universal social protection. It recognizes that the progressive realization of universal social protection, which ensures access to social protection for all whenever and however they need it, is critical for effectively reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity.
Palestinian Digital Economy Assessment

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2021-12-22) World Bank Group

The world of tomorrow will be driven by digital transformation across sectors and industries, and the global coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is accelerating this process. Digital technology is already playing an important role in the West Bank and Gaza (WB and G), and development of the digital economy is among the national priorities. This report aims to assess the state of digital economy development in WB and G, identify opportunities for further growth, and inform reforms and donor support programs in WB and G. The report provides a comprehensive overview of digital economy development in WB and G across the five foundational pillars - digital infrastructure, digital platforms, digital financial services, digital businesses, and digital skills. The report is based on several fact-finding missions, structured interviews, surveys, focus group discussions, and analysis of secondary data. The findings show that despite recent progress, the potential of the digital economy in WB and G is not fully exploited. Accelerating digital transformation and building a well-connected Palestinian economy will entail strengthening both analog and non-analog foundations. Three key areas that require the immediate attention of Palestinian policy makers are: (1) improving the digital infrastructure, (2) updating the legal and regulatory framework, and (3) ensuring institutional coordination and resource mobilization.