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Bangladesh advised on adopting comprehensive strategies for sustainable development

DHAKA, June 13, 2024 — To achieve its vision of becoming an Upper Middle-Income Country by 2031, Bangladesh will need to adopt green growth strategies. This approach can be realized through institutional strengthening, regulatory reforms, climate-responsive public and private finance, and an enabling policy framework, according to a new World Bank report launched today.


Banking & Financial Services

Argentina urged to diversify economy for sustained growth

Argentina, endowed with abundant natural resources and a well-educated workforce, holds significant potential for sustained and inclusive economic growth. The country is home to the world's second-largest lithium deposits, the second-largest gas reserves, and the fourth-largest petroleum reserves. Additionally, Argentina ranks third in global soybean production.



Banking & Financial Services

World Bank's Africa Office guides policy reforms with timely research

The Office of the Chief Economist in the Africa Region provides guidance on strategic priorities and generates timely, relevant knowledge on policy and institutional reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa. It produces research articles and reports on pressing development issues, disseminates knowledge widely, provides inputs that enrich the World Bank’s work in African countries, and fosters a strong community of economists within the World Bank and on the continent to advance the region’s development.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank Group initiates stakeholder consultations in Pakistan

The World Bank Group (WBG) will conduct a series of consultative discussions and surveys throughout June and July 2024 to engage stakeholders in Pakistan. The purpose is to gather inputs on the country's development priorities.


Banking & Financial Services

Myanmar's economic outlook remains bleak amid ongoing conflicts

YANGON, June 12, 2024 — Myanmar’s economy continues to face significant challenges and growth is expected to remain feeble as conflict, macroeconomic instability, and dislocation constrain production, according to a new report.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank supports reform in Ghana's energy sector with $260 million funding

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2024 – The World Bank has approved a $250 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and a $10 million grant from the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program for a four-year Ghana Energy Sector Recovery Program for Results (PforR). This initiative aims to support Ghana’s Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP) by enhancing the financial viability of electricity distribution and increasing access to clean cooking solutions.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank funds $30 million governance reform project in Liberia

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2024 – The World Bank approved financing for the Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project. This flagship project, funded by an International Development Association (IDA) credit of US$30 million, aims to enhance access to selected digitally provided public services, raise tax revenues, and improve the openness and accountability of institutions. It will also strengthen the use of country systems and sustainably build the capacity of civil servants to implement reform programs.


Banking & Financial Services

Senegal sees GDP growth amid declining inflation

Senegal's economy experienced growth in 2023, driven by the resilience of the primary sector. Real GDP growth is estimated at 4.3%, translating to 1.5% in per capita terms for the year. This marks a slight increase from the 3.8% growth rate recorded in 2022 and surpasses initial projections of 4.1%. Inflation, which had reached a peak of 9.7% in 2022, declined to 5.9%. Additionally, improvements in the current account deficit have bolstered international reserves.


Banking & Financial Services

Senegal's economic resilience highlighted amid political tensions

DAKAR, June 12, 2024 - According to the World Bank’s 2024 Economic Update for Senegal, economic growth in the country remained resilient in 2023 despite political tensions and persistent, albeit declining, inflation.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank approves $150 million to enhance Benin's agri-food value chains

The World Bank has approved $150 million in International Development Association (IDA) additional financing to assist Benin in enhancing food security, productivity, and resilience in the country's northern regions.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank official urges bold reforms for sustainable growth in Western Balkans

Massimiliano Paolucci, the World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo and North Macedonia, delivered remarks at The Economist Impact Western Balkans Summit 2024 during the panel session titled “Advancing Sustainability: Infrastructure, Energy Solutions, and Financing Opportunities.”


Banking & Financial Services

Cabo Verde's economic update highlights potential of blue economy amid recovery

Cabo Verde's economy is recovering from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the crisis has underscored the country's inherent weaknesses, including heavy dependence on tourism, lack of buffers for economic shocks, and risks in the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) sector. Climate change impacts exacerbate these vulnerabilities.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank urges Cabo Verde investment in blue economy for sustainable growth

Cabo Verde has demonstrated resilience in its post-COVID-19 recovery, yet the crisis underscored vulnerabilities, including reliance on tourism and risks from underperforming State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Climate change is intensifying these weaknesses.


Banking & Financial Services

Kyrgyzstan hosts forum spotlighting clean energy investments

VIENNA, June 10, 2024—The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, with support from the World Bank Group and co-hosted by the Government of Austria, convened high-level delegations from Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, international financial institutions, and private investors to discuss the future of energy in Central Asia at the Kyrgyz Republic International Energy Investment Forum in Vienna.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank backs $250M project for sustainable water management in Chile

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a new project to support Chile’s Just Water Transition program, aimed at fostering more sustainable and equitable water resources management. This $250 million initiative will be implemented by the Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank approved as interim host for climate loss and damage fund

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved the institution's role as interim secretariat host and trustee for a fund aimed at addressing loss and damage caused by climate change. This decision follows an agreement reached by 198 countries during COP28 to establish financial support for nations most affected by climate impacts.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank approves $45M project for coastal resilience in Guyana

The World Bank has approved a project to aid Guyana in adapting to climate change and mitigating flood risks in its coastal regions. This initiative aims to benefit approximately 320,000 people, or around 40 percent of the country's population, including the most vulnerable groups.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank approves $1B financing for Pakistan's DASU Hydropower Project

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $1 billion in additional financing for the DASU Hydropower Stage I (DHP I) Project in Pakistan. This funding aims to expand hydropower electricity supply, enhance access to socio-economic services for local communities, and bolster the Water and Power Development Authority’s (WAPDA) capacity to prepare future hydropower projects.


Banking & Financial Services

Egypt promotes circular and blue economies for sustainability

Over the last two decades, Egypt has pursued sustainable and resilient development. The Ministry of Environment has improved the governance framework and promoted new policy instruments to meet growing environmental challenges. The purpose of this analysis is to help Egypt address some of these environmental challenges by providing strategic guidance to the government to achieve green, resilient, and inclusive growth while creating new jobs.