In a three-year $100 million partnership, announced in mid March, the IFC and Coca-Cola will work together with female entrepreneurs in Africa and other emerging markets.
Multinationals
Infrastructure
Analysis
The World Bank and industrial policy: Hands off or hands on?
Former deputy secretary general of UNCTAD Carlos Fortin, of the Institute of Development Studies, examines the Bank's record on industrial policy over the last 20 years and shows that the Bank's position is more nuanced.
Social services
Analysis
IFIs' new "house of cards" in Central and Eastern Europe
IFIs are renewing their focus on Central and Eastern European states. This comes amidst fears that growth in the region needs to be rekindled. The World Bank has promised more funding for countries at risk of instability. However, IMF loans being negotiated with Romania and Hungary have met with controversy.
Finance
News
IFC "needs to try harder" on development
NGOs continue to find that the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank's private sector arm, is off track in reducing poverty and promoting development, with concerns that the IFC development goals to be implemented in July will not help the poorest.
Environment
Background
IMF Consultation on Natural Resources Management and Taxation
Notes of meeting, Spring meetings 2012, Washington DC
Private Sector
News
ICSID offers "impunity" for corporations
In October 2011 international coalition of civil society groups Seattle to Brussels Network held an international week of action against bilateral investment treaties.
Social services
News
Despite evidence, World Bank still promoting water privatisation
Bank-funded private water projects across the world are facing serious problems due to financial, socio-political and operational concerns, but recent trends show that more such projects are coming up in the name of innovative approaches.
Private Sector
News
Bank's procurement rules "rigid"
The UK House of Commons International Development Committee (IDC) has expressed concerns that “when bidding for infrastructure projects, local contractors often do not stand a chance against international bidders, partly due to rigid rules used by multilateral development banks (MDBs) such as the European Union (EU) and the World Bank. ”
Environment
Background
CSO Roundtable with Lars Thunel
Notes of a meeting, Washington DC, 21 September 2011
Finance
News
Industrial policy: World Bank turning the corner?
Over the past year, World Bank chief economist Justin Lin has tried to reopen debate at the Bank over whether developing country governments should adopt active industrial policies, previously taboo at the institution.