Sector/Thematic Studies

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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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Vietnam Power Sector : Generation Options

(Washington, DC, 2009-12-29) World Bank

This report discusses the energy sector in Vietnam. The central task for the energy sector is to meet demands for electricity in sufficient quantity and of an acceptable quality, in as commercially and financially efficient a way as possible. Several issues arise if this task is to be accomplished in the short and medium term. They are: optimizing power investments; financing the investments that must be made; implementing the reforms in the power industry and restructuring EVN; improving access and service quality; and addressing shortcomings in pricing and tariffs. This study discusses the first of these issues, though inevitably there is some overlap. The study has four specific objectives: (1) to inform decisions about technology choices; (2) to inform decisions on energy and energy sector policy; (3) to inform the energy sector planning process; and (4) to inform the internal discussion within the Bank on how Vietnam's energy sector development can be assisted.
Concessionary Financing Programs for the Water and Sanitation Sector in China

(Washington, DC, 2009-12) World Bank

China's water and sanitation sector faces challenges from rapid urbanization and industrialization, urban diversification, large investment needs, water scarcity, water pollution, and ecological degradation. This policy note addresses 'concessionary finance.' It is intended to provide a briefing for Chinese government officials who formulate policies for the water and sanitation sector. This note is not intended to provide recommendations on which policies to adopt, but rather to facilitate understanding of the policy options, how to choose among them, and where and how various options have been used in practice. Good water and sanitation services are essential for economic growth, public health, and environmental protection. However, these services can be difficult to finance. When utilities do not have sufficient capital, they under-invest and this will adversely affect the quality of services the utilities provide. Many governments run targeted concessionary financing programs as a method of helping utilities raise the needed capital. International experience has shown that well designed concessionary financing programs can additionally be employed as incentives to successfully improve utility efficiency, sector governance, or both. This policy note draws on successful case studies from concessionary finance programs in other countries.
Improved Energy Technologies for Rural Cambodia

(Washington, DC, 2009-12) World Bank

More than 90 percent of total household energy used in rural Cambodia comes from wood and charcoal, which will continue to be the primary energy source for many more years, especially for poorer people. Faced with this reality, it is clear that simple and affordable solutions to the problems associated with burning wood and charcoal should be addressed. One obvious solution is the production and wide dissemination of more efficient stoves, which can cut fuel consumption in half. The new, improved cook stoves are based on traditional stove models, but both are more efficient due to three main improvements in design: 1) the space between the pot and the pot-rest is reduced, 2) the grate has smaller holes, and 3) the combustion chamber is smaller. The effect is better combustion with less heat loss, a more complete burning of wood, and also less smoke. There are two models of improved cook stoves: the Neang Kongrey stove and the New Lao stove. The Neang Kongrey is a simple ceramic cook stove that sells for about $1.25 and lasts for 1-2 years. The New Lao Stove has metal cladding and insulation that adds at least two years to the stove's lifetime and increases its cost to about $4.
Vulnerability and Safety Nets in Lao PDR

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2009-12) Lindelow, Magnus ; Fenton, Nina

Lao PDR has experienced high levels of economic growth in recent years and the incidence of poverty has fallen dramatically since the 1990s. Yet, this report shows that Lao households continue to be highly vulnerable to regular seasonal fluctuations, as well as agricultural shocks and natural disasters. The report also highlights the importance of health shocks, injury and death for household welfare. Households adopt a variety of strategies to cope with these shocks, but in many cases are unable to fully smooth consumption, with negative short and long term consequences. Overall, the report points to a number of important vulnerable groups. The chronic poor in remote rural areas, including ethnic minority groups, remain highly vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations and natural disasters. However, households in urban areas, particularly the poor and near-poor, are vulnerable to future increases in food prices if they are not accompanied by increases in real wages. Moreover, as the Lao economy develops, more households will rely on off-farm work or migrant remittances, making them increasingly vulnerable to domestic and global macro-shocks. Finally, particular groups, including children, women, the disabled and the elderly are likely to be particularly badly affected by these shocks. The report goes on to discuss the potential value of social safety nets. Safety nets can reduce poverty and alleviate suffering for households who are unable to fully smooth their consumption after a shock. But effective safety nets don't just contribute to reducing poverty in the short term; they can also prevent long term poverty traps from arising (e.g. due to households being forced to sell productive assets, withdraw children from school, or reduce consumption below nutritionally adequate levels), and enable households to pursue riskier but more productive livelihood strategies. The report reveals important gaps in current policies and programs and suggests some potential directions towards implementing a comprehensive and institutionalized safety net program in Lao PDR. This will require substantial investments, not only to finance the actual programs, but also to develop the required capacity and knowledge at both local and central levels. While there are no easy solutions, reaching consensus on priorities and policy options for addressing vulnerability in Laos is essential if recent progress in poverty reduction and economic growth is to be sustained and deepened.
Mongolia: The Economic Value of the Upper Tuul Ecosystem

(Washington, DC, 2009-12) World Bank

The economic value of the Upper Tuul ecosystem in Mongolia reports on a study carried out under the auspices of the World Bank and the Government of Mongolia. The goal of the study was to improve understanding about the economic value of the Upper Tuul ecosystem for Ulaanbaatar's water supplies and how this might be affected by different land and resource management options in the future. The study also aims to develop and apply ecosystem valuation methods that can be used more widely in the country, to generate information about the contribution of the environment to the Mongolian economy, and to make the case for improved budget allocations for the conservation of the Upper Tuul. Integrating eco-hydrological and economic valuation techniques, the study traces through the biophysical effects and socioeconomic impacts of future land and resource degradation, and ecosystem conservation, in the upper watershed.
Indonesia Economic Quarterly, December 2009: Back on Track?

(Jakarta, 2009-12) World Bank

The Indonesian economic quarterly reports on and synthesizes the past three month s key developments in Indonesia s economy. It places them in a longer-term and global context, and assesses their implications for the outlook for Indonesia s economic and social welfare. Its coverage ranges from the macro economy to financial markets to indicators of human welfare and development. Indonesia s economy appears to be broadly backed on track. Economic activity has been picking up, inflation has remained moderate, financial markets have risen, and the newly reelected government, having established the strong fundamentals that supported Indonesia through the global crisis, appears to be now gearing up for new investments in Indonesia s physical infrastructure, human services and institutions of state. Indonesia seems well-positioned to get back on its pre-crisis growth trajectory, with the possibility of further acceleration and more inclusive growth. The sustainability of the global recovery is still not entirely clear and portfolio flows into emerging markets, which have surged in the last nine months, may as easily be reversed as policy makers elsewhere move to unwind the large monetary and fiscal stimulus efforts initiated over the last year.
Pacific Islands Coconut Oil Power Generation: A How-To Guide for Small Stationary Engines

(Washington, DC, 2009-12) World Bank

This guide has been written to assist anyone interested in running small stationary diesel powered engines on coconut oil. It is intended to be a 'how-to' guide to provide with relevant information of every aspect of fuelling an engine with coconut oil. The guide is specifically written with small (less than about 50 kVA) diesel generators in mind. While the information and principles can be applied to all diesel engines, there are additional complicating factors to consider when applying to a vehicle, for example. It must be noted also, that this manual is intended for stationary applications that typically involve few stop-starts, longer running times and consistent loads. Diesel engines that stop-start regularly and unpredictably (eg. car engine or back up generator) are outside the scope of this guide. The technical considerations for running a diesel engine on coconut oil, or any vegetable oil for that matter, are not particularly complex. The concept of powering a diesel engine with vegetable oil is, after all, as old as the diesel engine itself. To do it successfully, however, and particularly with today's modern diesel engines, several key elements of the fuel delivery and combustion system must be suitable or made suitable. If these elements are not the engine will be damaged and it will ultimately lead to premature engine failure.
Effective Discipline with Adequate Autonomy : The Direction for Further Reform of China's SOE Dividend Policy

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2009-11) Zhang, Chunlin ; Wang, Lihong

This note explores the desirable direction for further reform of China's state-owned enterprise (SOE) dividend policy. This study represents an effort in exploring the desirable direction for further reform. It is an extension of the previous World Bank studies (World Bank, 2005, 2007) on this subject. It argues that a sound dividend policy must generate effective discipline against insiders and leave adequate managerial autonomy to them in the meantime. Considering China's current situation in light of relevant international experience, this study recommends three actions for the government to take to deepen the reform. The first is to raise the flexibility of SOE dividend ratio by adding a dividend ratio determination mechanism to the existing system of state ownership function. The second involves government monitoring and adjustment of the average dividend ratio of all central SOEs. The third is to start integrating state capital management budget (SCMB) with the general budget. The rest of the note is organized as follows. Section two discusses the nature of the issue and the criteria that a sound dividend policy must meet. Section three-five reviews payout practices of private sector firms (mainly publicly held companies but also include privately held firms), non-Chinese SOEs, and Hong Kong listed Chinese SOEs. Section six presents recommendations regarding the direction for further reform.
Alternative Mechanisms of Service Delivery : Legal and Regulatory Review, Volume 2. Appendices

(Washington, DC, 2009-11) World Bank

This report reviews the Indonesian legal and regulatory framework that might support or obstruct the promotion of alternative mechanisms of service delivery (AMSD). AMSD, as it has been translated in Indonesian, is a term used especially in Canada to describe an array of strategies and tools that government can use to deliver services in "not the normal way'. 'Alternative' is used in the sense of 'alternative lifestyle" or 'not traditional'. The objectives of the project in relation to promoting AMSD within regional governments are: i) assistance to government in the rationalization of different institutional arrangements for the delivery of sub-national public services; and ii) aid in the development and implementation of new (contracting) methods for service delivery. The report aims to describe the current proximate legal and regulatory framework within which the eight strategies work. The report provides the basis for understanding where the strategies already have 'support' and where the framework needs improving or additions.
Alternative Mechanisms of Service Delivery : Legal and Regulatory Review, Volume 1. Main Text

(Washington, DC, 2009-11) World Bank

This report reviews the Indonesian legal and regulatory framework that might support or obstruct the promotion of alternative mechanisms of service delivery (AMSD). AMSD, as it has been translated in Indonesian, is a term used especially in Canada to describe an array of strategies and tools that government can use to deliver services in "not the normal way'. 'Alternative' is used in the sense of 'alternative lifestyle" or 'not traditional'. The objectives of the project in relation to promoting AMSD within regional governments are: i) assistance to government in the rationalization of different institutional arrangements for the delivery of sub-national public services; and ii) aid in the development and implementation of new (contracting) methods for service delivery. The report aims to describe the current proximate legal and regulatory framework within which the eight strategies work. The report provides the basis for understanding where the strategies already have 'support' and where the framework needs improving or additions.