World Bank praises Myanmar for improvement in Doing Business ranking, ignoring the implications of proposed reforms on country’s complex conflict dynamics.
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Myanmar
Environment
News
As climate crisis bites, World Bank further distances itself from coal
International Finance Corporation announced new ‘green equity’ policy to encourage financial intermediaries to divest from coal, while Bank pulled plug on mooted Kosovo coal project.
IFI governance
Commentary
The IMF and World Bank: Aiding and abetting inequality in Asia
As inequality in Asia continues to deepen, civil society renews calls for IMF and World Bank to be held accountable for exacerbating inequality.
Rights
Analysis
Conflict-affected states, IFC’s final frontier
The IFC is set to expand operations in fragile and conflict-affected states such as Burma, despite indications that systemic problems identified in Honduras persist.
Private Sector
News
“Affordable hotels”: IFC’s luxury development projects
IFC investments in Burma hotels have been criticised for weak poverty reduction impact. IFC claims that investment in luxury hotels in India will provide “affordable hotels”.
Social services
News
World Bank’s Burma spending spree
The World Bank has announced big spending programmes in health, electricity and telecoms in Burma, however, critics point to its failure to protect human rights or consult properly with civil society.
Private Sector
News
Shopping mall Shangri-La: IFC’s lending for luxury
IFC investments in luxury hotels and shopping malls highlight projects with weak development outcomes.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank infrastucture support: "finance as extraction"
While India is pushing for the World Bank’s Global Infrastructure Facility, the US voted against IFC support for a Saudi Arabian corporation linked to coal power and an Inspection Panel case was registered for a Nepal power transmission project. Concerns were also raised on infrastructure projects in India, Nepal and Burma.
Other news
Rights
News
Myanmar civil society calls for solidarity from international financial institutions
Civil society letter condemns World Bank statements as ‘weak’.
IFI governance
Background
From interim strategy to full country partnership: lessons from Myanmar
Notes of a meeting on Myanmar's transition to full country partnership at the World Bank/IMF annual meetings 2014
IFI governance
Background
An overview of the World Bank Group's new country engagement model
Sponsor: WBG (Operations Policy and Country Services Department) Panelists: Edward Mountfield (Manager, OPCS), John L.…
Accountability
News
World Bank returns to Burma amid criticism
After leaving over suspended debt repayment in the late 1980s, the Bank officially returned to Burma, also known as Myanmar, in early August.
Accountability
Background
IFI re-engagement in Burma
Minutes of Burma and IFIs meeting, Washington DC, 18 April 2012
Accountability
News
IFIs must "engage with the Burmese people"
Civil society groups from Burma have written to the heads of the IMF and World Bank requesting that the IFIs involve grass roots actors in their newly revived activities in Burma and that their operational policies "guarantee maximum transparency, accountability, social inclusiveness and safeguards".
