Multinationals

Private Sector

News

IFC-Coke 'development' project to sell drinks

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.

3 April 2013

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.

6 December 2012 | At Issue

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.

6 December 2012

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.

3 July 2012

Environment

Background

IMF Consultation on Natural Resources Management and Taxation

Notes of meeting, Spring meetings 2012, Washington DC

19 April 2012 | Minutes

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.

7 February 2012

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.

21 November 2011

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. ”

14 November 2011

Environment

Background

CSO Roundtable with Lars Thunel

Notes of a meeting, Washington DC, 21 September 2011

26 September 2011 | Minutes

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.

6 April 2011