Publication:
Colombia : The Economic Foundation of Peace

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Files in English
English PDF (42.09 MB)
625 downloads
English Text (1.07 MB)
686 downloads
Date
2003
ISSN
Published
2003
Author(s)
Lafourcade, Olivier
Luff, Connie
Abstract
The book intends to trigger, and support policy debate in Colombia. The first part distills four thematic chapters, responsive to the country's current realities, as well as to the five decades of development partnership with the Bank, spanning the entire development spectrum. First, violence, sustainable peace, and development introduces the reader to the source of violence - armed, and social conflicts, and drug trade prevalent in the country - to form a framework of understanding on the economic, and social costs for building peace, and enable sustainable growth. Second, such growth is examined within the macroeconomic, and fiscal framework, to ensure a healthy financial system, and create a business environment to foster private sector development. Third, such eventual success, drives us through Colombia's traditional socioeconomic progress, though through its recent setbacks as well - economic recession, increased macroeconomic instability, and judicial uncertainty - all eroding potential welfare gains. Fourth, and ultimately, the demand for governance and quality of government reveals the coexisting problems faced by strong and weak governance, and explores a strengthened governance based on selectivity and gradualism in building high quality government. To support this analysis, the second part, provides sector-specific realities, including its fiscal framework, public debt management, financial sector and pension reform. The development agenda calls for a government to reach a higher growth plateau, allowing a chance for sharing in that growth, and making the state an icon of quality.
Link to Data Set
Citation
Lafourcade, Olivier; Giugale, Marcelo M.; Luff, Connie. Giugale, Marcelo M.; Lafourcade, Olivier; Luff, Connie, editors. 2003. Colombia : The Economic Foundation of Peace. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/15205 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.
Associated URLs
Associated content
Report Series
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Publication
    Bolivia : Public Policy Options for the Well-Being of All
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2006) Fretes-Cibils, Vicente; Giugale, Marcelo; Luff, Connie
    The purpose of this book is to contribute to the debate on how to confront the challenges that Bolivia faces today. It is composed of a series of studies on the current reality of Bolivia and has been developed in conjunction with national and international public policy experts. The studies present a diagnostic by sector, a summary of the main challenges, and public policy recommendations aimed at meeting these challenges. After many years of severe institutional crisis, Bolivia is reorienting its development strategy and closing the gap between the country's problems and effective solutions. The new government is confronting the challenge of building a state that is more inclusive and effective. Its initiatives to achieve that objective include the Constituent Assembly, the introduction of public policies that modify obligations and rights, and efforts designed to revitalize the participation of the state in the national economy. This is a turning point from which a new Bolivia will emerge. Nevertheless, a variety of risks may prevent positive results, even when intentions are good. Bolivia can take a step forward to proactively integrate itself within the global market, or it can prolong, or even exacerbate, the stagnation that has hindered its economic and social development for many years. The authors are all committed to the goal of contributing ideas about what can be done to help the country grow equitably, with a transparent and efficient government that provides improved social services to its population and they are confident that Bolivia has the ability to achieve it.
  • Publication
    Ecuador : An Economic and Social Agenda in the New Millennium
    (World Bank: Washington, DC, 2003-05) Fretes-Cibils, Vicente; Giugale, Marcelo M.; López-Cálix, José Roberto
    The book focuses on three overarching themes: fiscal consolidation and growth; social development; and, quality of government, and, documents Ecuador's development trends, policies, and options. The fundamental challenges facing the country are identified within this book, and the solutions represent a break with the past: this is a proposal for an agenda with a broad, and integrated vision of economic, and social development in Ecuador. As a central message, the book outlines that although economic growth is a necessary condition to combat poverty, it would however be insufficient, unless growth is sustainable, and participatory, i.e., that broad sectors of the most vulnerable population (such as marginalized indigenous populations) are included. Thus, the argument for preserving stability with fiscal discipline, and accelerating growth with competitiveness, is based on a guaranteed balanced macroeconomic framework, that promotes economic expansion and competitiveness by making input markets - particularly the labor market - more flexible, by opening the economy to foreign trade, and eliminating trade policies. Expansion of the petroleum sector should be accelerated through legal and regulatory changes to prod fiscal stability, and promote private investments. Boosting sustainable, and equitable social development can be ensured by the government through actions focused on human capital development, improved quality of education and health services, and efficient social safety network. And in building a quality government that serves its people, and fights against corruption, the book stipulates regulatory reforms, and provision of direct services, within a strategy complemented with strengthened civil service, and deepening of the judicial reform, in the general context of decentralization.
  • Publication
    Republic of Togo : Urban and Peri-Urban Development and Policy Note
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2006-06-29) Amankwah-Ayeh, Kwabena
    This review concludes that for Togo's urban and peri-urban areas to sustainably grow, issues of urban governance and development need to be approached in a comprehensive manner, driven by well -guided policies developed in partnership with the people to support Sub-National Government Authorities and Entities(SGAs) in carrying out their functions efficiently. To meet evolving challenges of urbanization and decentralization, the Government of Togo (GoT) must rationalize the roles of various levels of government and agencies and limit their numbers to limit duplication, strengthen the capacities of relevant sector institutions and coordinate institutional actions and investments. It is further recommended that GoT must (i) clarify the roles and functions of national, prefectural, and local governments while ensuring that coordination functions between them work well; (ii) separate urban policy and regulatory functions from implementation of urban projects by allocating implementation responsibilities to private operators or qualified state agencies under performance-based arrangements; (iii) ensure proper allocation of taxing responsibilities, develop and implement transfer of financial resources from the central government to the local governments on a transparent basis supported by simple and precise criteria; and (iv) strengthen the central government s role in policy, regulatory, coordination, oversight and supervision. Contractualization of relationships between different tiers of government and benchmarking of performance must be prominent among the guiding principles that should govern the delivery of responsibilities of GoT, SGAs and their agencies. Finally, this necessary, first step stock-taking review of Togo s urban and peri-urban sector has revealed knowledge & data gaps that need to be filled through further analysis and studies on (a) infrastructure services provision needs as well as capacity to implement, operate and maintain them, (b) improving the functioning of the urban land market and shelter-related issues, (c) strengthening municipal financing, (d) developing city and local economic development strategies (CDS & LED), and (e) socio-economic and technical approaches to financing of slum upgrading.
  • Publication
    Vietnam Affordable Housing
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2015-10-16) World Bank Group
    Affordable housing will be instrumental to helping Vietnam achieve its goals for increasing productivity and inclusive urban growth. Since Doi Moi, the country has experienced impressive economic growth, averaged at 7.4 percent per annum from 1990 to 2008, lowering to an average of 6 percent per annum from 2007 to 2013. Strong economic growth has supported a substantial reduction in poverty, from 58 percent in 1993 to 17 percent in 20121. Yet, the country has remained largely rural, with more than half of its population working in the agricultural sector, which only contributed 17 percent of GDP in 20142. In some countries, urbanization has been used as a tool to accelerate economic growth and poverty reduction. As Vietnam aims to maintain a high growth rate, supporting urbanization, where cities contribute a growing share of jobs and GDP, will be an important measure. This structural shift will drive population growth and new demand for housing in cities, for which quality and affordable housing options in well-serviced and connected settlements will be needed. Areas of particular importance in the Law is support toward self-built housing, the active participation of the private sector, addressing the shortage of affordable rental housing as well as high demand for housing from low income groups, especially workers in industrial zones of large cities. This report, which includes a comprehensive assessment and roadmap for affordable housing in Vietnam, recommends the following key messages moving forward: increase investment, Prepare Three Flagship Initiatives under an umbrella National Affordable Housing Program, Institutional Strengthening, Land Tax Reform, and Create an Enabling Environment for Affordable Housing. Moving forward, design of the market-oriented measures described above will require intensive and careful consultation and engagement with all housing sector actors, particularly the private sector. Private sector will need to play an active role in the early preparation to ensure their participation and commitment that carries through to implementation of policy measures on the financing and supply side.
  • Publication
    Harnessing Competitiveness for Stronger Inclusive Growth : Bangladesh Second Investment Climate Assessment
    (Washington, DC, 2008-10) World Bank
    Bangladesh has recorded impressive economic and social gains since the 1990s. Recent growth has been at levels close to six percent. The country has doubled per capita growth and taken large strides toward reaching many Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ahead of many comparable countries. Attaining the MDGs calls for accelerating economic growth to six-seven percent a year. Accordingly, Bangladesh's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), ?unlocking the potential, puts into sharp focus the need for investment climate improvements, as well as inclusive growth and empowering the poor. Accelerating growth will require greater investment - to aid diversification into areas of comparative advantage and to finance infrastructure - and higher productivity. This in turn calls for a substantial improvement in the investment climate. The strategy as laid out in the PRSP promotes an enabling business environment as a key to Bangladesh's development - by improving trade policies, enhancing the legal and regulatory environment for the private sector, developing an effective competition policy, establishing policies friendly to foreign direct investment, and deepening financial sector reforms. Addressing labor skills and education is critical to improving productivity. Improvements in the policy environment for energy development are central to this effort, by strengthening the institutional framework, addressing distorted pricing, and encouraging accountable and transparent processes for investment decisions. Equitable growth and empowerment of the poor further call for strengthening of high-growth rural and peri-urban areas with natural potential, via services and infrastructure provision to such promising growth poles. With sustained growth, the scarcity of certain resources (energy, finance, land, labor skills) has started to strain the economy's growth and productivity gains. Along those lines, authors hope that this report will highlight successful strategies to unblock bottlenecks in basic resource markets and the investment environment, informing the policy dialogue and allowing for the economy and development of Bangladesh to forge ahead in a rapid, robust, and socially equitable manner.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Publication
    World Development Report 2019
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2019) World Bank
    Work is constantly reshaped by technological progress. New ways of production are adopted, markets expand, and societies evolve. But some changes provoke more attention than others, in part due to the vast uncertainty involved in making predictions about the future. The 2019 World Development Report will study how the nature of work is changing as a result of advances in technology today. Technological progress disrupts existing systems. A new social contract is needed to smooth the transition and guard against rising inequality. Significant investments in human capital throughout a person’s lifecycle are vital to this effort. If workers are to stay competitive against machines they need to train or retool existing skills. A social protection system that includes a minimum basic level of protection for workers and citizens can complement new forms of employment. Improved private sector policies to encourage startup activity and competition can help countries compete in the digital age. Governments also need to ensure that firms pay their fair share of taxes, in part to fund this new social contract. The 2019 World Development Report presents an analysis of these issues based upon the available evidence.
  • Publication
    World Development Report 1984
    (New York: Oxford University Press, 1984) World Bank
    Long-term needs and sustained effort are underlying themes in this year's report. As with most of its predecessors, it is divided into two parts. The first looks at economic performance, past and prospective. The second part is this year devoted to population - the causes and consequences of rapid population growth, its link to development, why it has slowed down in some developing countries. The two parts mirror each other: economic policy and performance in the next decade will matter for population growth in the developing countries for several decades beyond. Population policy and change in the rest of this century will set the terms for the whole of development strategy in the next. In both cases, policy changes will not yield immediate benefits, but delay will reduce the room for maneuver that policy makers will have in years to come.
  • Publication
    Europe and Central Asia Economic Update, Fall 2024: Better Education for Stronger Growth
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-17) Izvorski, Ivailo; Kasyanenko, Sergiy; Lokshin, Michael M.; Torre, Iván
    Economic growth in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is likely to moderate from 3.5 percent in 2023 to 3.3 percent this year. This is significantly weaker than the 4.1 percent average growth in 2000-19. Growth this year is driven by expansionary fiscal policies and strong private consumption. External demand is less favorable because of weak economic expansion in major trading partners, like the European Union. Growth is likely to slow further in 2025, mostly because of the easing of expansion in the Russian Federation and Turkiye. This Europe and Central Asia Economic Update calls for a major overhaul of education systems across the region, particularly higher education, to unleash the talent needed to reinvigorate growth and boost convergence with high-income countries. Universities in the region suffer from poor management, outdated curricula, and inadequate funding and infrastructure. A mismatch between graduates' skills and the skills employers are seeking leads to wasted potential and contributes to the region's brain drain. Reversing the decline in the quality of education will require prioritizing improvements in teacher training, updated curricula, and investment in educational infrastructure. In higher education, reforms are needed to consolidate university systems, integrate them with research centers, and provide reskilling opportunities for adult workers.
  • Publication
    Supporting Youth at Risk
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2008) Cohan, Lorena M.; Cunningham, Wendy; Naudeau, Sophie; McGinnis, Linda
    The World Bank has produced this policy Toolkit in response to a growing demand from our government clients and partners for advice on how to create and implement effective policies for at-risk youth. The author has highlighted 22 policies (six core policies, nine promising policies, and seven general policies) that have been effective in addressing the following five key risk areas for young people around the world: (i) youth unemployment, underemployment, and lack of formal sector employment; (ii) early school leaving; (iii) risky sexual behavior leading to early childbearing and HIV/AIDS; (iv) crime and violence; and (v) substance abuse. The objective of this Toolkit is to serve as a practical guide for policy makers in middle-income countries as well as professionals working within the area of youth development on how to develop and implement an effective policy portfolio to foster healthy and positive youth development.
  • Publication
    India Development Update
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-09-06) World Bank
    In India, economic growth increased from 7.0 percent in FY22/23 (April 2022-March 2023) to 8.2 percent y-o-y in FY23/24. On the demand side, growth was primarily driven by a significant expansion of investment, in particular public infrastructure investment and private investment in real estate. On the supply side, it was supported by a rebound in the manufacturing sector, benefitting from a buoyant construction sector and low input costs. India needs to diversify its exports and increase its participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs). Over the past decades, despite rapid overall economic growth, India's trade in goods and services has decreased as a percentage of GDP and India’s participation in GVCs has fallen. Exports are also relatively concentrated in goods and services that tend not to be labor-intensive. As a result, trade-jobs linkages are not fully exploited. A key factor behind this decline is the increase in import tariffs on key intermediary inputs, which has raised production costs and made producers less competitive in international markets. To achieve its ambitious export target and maximize the job creation potential of trade, India must diversify its export basket and enter new markets. Participating more actively in GVCs is crucial for doing so, and it would also boost overall competitiveness in the domestic economy and attract greater foreign investment. India's current trade policy stance features both liberalizing measures and rising protectionism. The implementation of the National Logistics Policy and digital initiatives aimed at reducing logistics costs are proactive steps towards enhancing trade facilitation and competitiveness. However, a resurgence in protectionist measures, including increased tariff and non-tariff barriers, is restricting India's trade openness. Recent Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Australia signify a move towards preferential agreements. However, India does not participate in mega trade blocs, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), despite potential benefits from broader trade cooperation.